My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 48

Nina

The next day, I headed to work with Tiffany.

She was evaluating a sick student when I arrived.

“Good morning!” Tiffany called over her shoulder when I entered. I started to take off my jacket, but she stopped me. “Don’t get too comfy,” she said. “We’ll be heading out right after this. Did you wear athletic clothes like I asked?”

“I did,” I replied, keeping my jacket on. Tiffany had texted me early before my shift to tell me to dress appropriately in athletic clothes and sneakers today -- she didn’t explain why, but I complied and put on my only real athletic clothes, which was a pair of leggings and a tight zip-up top with long sleeves. I had purchased them the semester before when I thought I was going to be one of those girls who was into yoga, but one yoga class with Jessica changed my mind. Jessica was graceful and flexible with excellent balance and I… fell on my face. A lot.

Tiffany finished evaluating the student. “Looks like you’ve got a nasty case of strep throat.” She walked over to her desk and scribbled on a notepad, then ripped the page out and handed it to the student. “Take this to the pharmacy for some antibiotics. Avoid overusing your throat and try to drink lots of tea with honey. Can you come back in a week for a checkup?” The sick student nodded miserably and left, coughing into her elbow.

“Alright,” Tiffany said, grabbing her coat and medical bag. “Let’s go.”

We headed out the door. Tiffany turned the sign to ‘closed’ and then headed off toward the athletic fields with me on her heels.

“Where are we headed?” I asked, almost jogging to keep up with Tiffany’s quick stride.

“We’re gonna be making the rounds for all of the sports teams today,” she replied, her breath making little clouds in the chilly morning air as she spoke. “Football, soccer, rugby, and hockey.”

I almost groaned when she mentioned that we’d be visiting the hockey team, but kept it to myself.

“By the way,” she said as we walked, “you don’t have to tell me if it’s too personal, but I’m just curious; what’s going on between you and Enzo now? And James, too?”

I sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know, honestly.”

“Can I give you a bit of advice, from one woman to another?” she asked.

“Please,” I replied. “I need it.”

Tiffany stopped and turned toward me, taking me by both shoulders. She was shorter than me, but still had a protective and comforting air with the way she held herself.

“Don’t ever try to force a spark. Even if you’re heartbroken and lonely and you think you won’t be able to ever find the right person, it’s not worth it if you have to force it. I made that mistake with my ex husband… When you meet the right person, you’ll just know.”

I paused for a moment as I considered Tiffany’s words. Was I forcing a spark with James or Enzo? At this point, I didn’t know the difference between real feelings or just infatuation.

“Have you ever been with someone who just feels right?” I asked. “How do you know?”

Tiffany sighed and started walking again. “I have,” she replied quietly, her usually-bubbly voice now low and somber. “It was a lot like you and Enzo, actually. We met here, in college. It was a confusing back-and-forth that went on for far too long, all because of me. He pissed me off. I argued with him. When he finally got sick of my games, he got together with a girl just a few days later; they got engaged by the time we graduated… I couldn’t accept his love when I had the chance, and I still regret it.”