“Take the rest of the week to rest as I already said. Next week you can resume your workouts, but scale them down.”

This isn’t the news I was hoping for. “Okay.”

“I’ll check in with you in a few days. I have your contact info and please come in right away if anything changes or worsens.”

“I will. Thanks for seeing me.”

“You’re welcome, Sophie. That’s what I’m here for.” We shake hands before parting ways.

As soon as I’m outside, I pull out Coach Evans business card and dial his number. He asked me to call him and as much as I’d rather not, I know I have to face the music. Hoping I get his answering machine, I’m nervous when he actually picks up his phone.

“Hello.”

“Hi. It’s Sophie. From the team.”

“Hi Sophie. What can I do for you today? Are you feeling any better?”

“I was just calling with my test results. The doctor is sending you paperwork, but I wanted to tell you myself like you asked. With my concussion and all, I have to miss this week and next. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Accidents happen. Did he find anything else on the scan? I assume it was negative?”

“Yes. It was. It’s just a waiting game now until I can come back.”

“We look forward to having you back.”

“Thank you.”

“Call me anytime to check-in. Okay?”

“Sure, I will. Thank you.”

“Talk to you soon, Sophie. Take care.”

“You too. Bye.”

Although that once again went better than expected, I’m still totally bummed I’ll be missing more time than I’d wanted. Tempted to give my body a test, I want to show Coach Evans I’m a hard worker despite the warning from the doctor. I’m sure he’s being overly cautious considering the danger of gymnastics.

Once the doctor’s office is out of view, I start to jog slowly. When the coast is completely clear, I concentrate on each stride, digging deeper the farther I go. With the wind in my hair, I live for the exercise I’ve missed out on.

Considering my condition, I make good time for the first half mile of my run, but I stop moving altogether when the pounding in my skull is back in full force. I rest in the grass under a shade tree and wish I had thought to bring some water with me. I’m a long way from the dorm, so I know I need to start walking back or I’ll miss my next class. I’m wobbly when I get back on my feet and reach out for the tree trunk to steady myself. “This was stupid,” I say to nobody but myself.

After walking for a solid five minutes, I look around and realize I’m not sure which direction I came from. The store fronts on each corner are identically designed creating further confusion. Having only been in this town for a short time with little time to explore, I have to go with my gut and take the street to my right. I walk for a few more blocks and things start to look vaguely familiar. This has to be the way I came. Two more blocks and I stop directly in front of the wrestling house where Kipton lives. That explains why the street looked familiar. From what I remember, if I take two rights and a left, I should run right into my building. Or would it be two lefts and a right? Stomping my foot in frustration, I decide to go right.

“Are you here to see me or dance on the sidewalk?”

I jump, startled by the company I wasn’t aware I had. Kipton’s leaning over the railing of his porch watching me with an amused expression on his face. This day just keeps getting better. “Which way is my dorm?”

“You’re lost?” he questions.

“Yeah. I went to the doctor’s office for my test results.”

“Sophie, the doctor’s office is on the other side of campus. How did you end up over here?” He looks concerned and walks down the porch steps to meet me on the sidewalk.

I shrug my shoulders, afraid to state the obvious. “I went for a run.”

“Did he clear you?”

I kick around a stone on the ground with my sneaker so I don’t have see his less than amused expression when I tell him the truth. “Not exactly.”

“What did he tell you?” His voice hardens ever so slightly and I know he won’t like the truth.

Refusing to lie to Kipton, I fess up and admit my wrong. “To take the rest of the week off and next week I can start working out in the weight room.”

He crosses his arms and forces me to look at him with his body language alone. He’s angry. “So, you didn’t care for his news and did your own thing instead.”

I hate how childish he makes my decision sound. “Something like that.”

He nods his head knowingly, aware that I didn’t follow instructions. “I can’t tell you what to do, Sophie, but you need to listen to him. I don’t want to worry about you roaming the streets all because you got mad.”

My natural reaction is to get defensive. I’ve always had to fight my way through conversation at home. “I’m trying, Kipton.”

“Are you?” he challenges.

“Yes!”

“You sure about that? You look really tired.”

“I didn’t sleep well, not that it matters.”

“Of course it matters, Sophie.”

I want to ask him why. But I don’t. “I have a class to get to.” I start walking in the direction I’m facing, not caring if it’s the right way or not. I’ll find the dorm one way or another.

“Sophie.”

I wave him off, not bothering to stop and turn around. The last thing I need is another lecture about screwing up. At the end of the street I turn left, praying it will bring me another block closer to the dorm. Just as I become more confident about my navigation skills and increase my pace, a loud horn stops me in my tracks. “Jesus.” I clutch my chest from the shock.

“Hop in.”

Hesitantly, I lean on the side of the car, peering into the open window. Damn. Kipton looks delicious with his aviators on. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Well, you wouldn’t stop long enough to get into my car. So here I am.” No shit.

“If I get in, are you going to yell at me?”

“Nope. I’m only taking your pretty little behind back where it belongs.” Every ounce of anger inside of me dissipates from the sight of his smile alone.

“You sure do know how to charm a lady, Kipton.” I open the door to his car and slide inside.

“Where to my lady?” he jokes.

I laugh even though I don’t want to. “Very funny.”

“Well you seem to know the lay of the land around here so well.” I punch him in the arm for mocking me. “Ouch!” He pulls a U-turn and purposely makes a big show about going in the correct direction back to my room. Point made, Kipton.

“Thanks for the lift.” And I am thankful I don’t have to worry about missing class. I’ll even have enough time to take a quick shower before I leave.

“You want to get some lunch?” He glances at me before driving through the next intersection.

“Na. I’m good. I had some granola before my run.”

“That’s it?”

“It was plenty.”

“Chicks,” he says shaking his head. “Well, I could eat a house so I’m going to get something before class. You have any plans tonight?”

“Nothing other than my usual school work.”

“Tonight’s the monthly under the stars on the football field. They play a movie on the big screen in the end zone. You want to go with me?”

“Like on a date?” I blurt out.

“Yeah, a date. Would that be okay with you?” He reaches over and squeezes my thigh.

I push my body into the seat, digging my feet into the floor mat to get a grip on reality. A date with Kipton. Maybe Cara wasn’t talking complete nonsense last night. “I’ll go with you.”

“I’ll pick you up at eight then.” He stops the car next to the sidewalk and leaves it running. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I chance a peek at him before I leave. “Okay. Thanks for the ride.” I climb out of the bucket seat and he coughs suddenly but regains his composure when I look at him wearily. Plastering a panty-melting smile on his handsome face, he’s as cool as can be. “Anytime, beautiful.”