Nikki jumped at the chance to speak before Mia could get angry with her again.
“Before you get mad, I was hoping we could start over. I bring peace offerings. Flowers and food,” she said as she held out the bouquet of wild flowers and takeout. “I know we got off to a rocky start, nevertheless I’m hoping you are willing to overlook my bad manners and give me a second chance.”
When was the last time a woman surprised her with flowers? She isn’t a woman, she is a coworker. An irritating coworker at that. Mia finally regained her composure and opened the door.
“I’m only letting you in because that smells really good and I haven’t eaten yet.”
Nikki handed Mia the flowers and entered, following her to the kitchen.
“What do you drink? I have wine, beer, milk and water.”
“Beer is fine.”
Nikki took in the small one bedroom apartment. Clearly Mia had not been there long prior to starting work. There were quite a few boxes still stacked in the corner. Pictures hung on the walls. There were no curtains or shades in sight. She didn’t even bother painting. The white apartment was generic and outdated. Unfortunately there were no clues, no personal effects, to help her figure out the mystery that was Ms. Mia Sanchez.
Nikki helped set the table. She hadn’t known what to get and decided burgers and fries were a safe choice. Nikki knew that Mia had a healthy appetite from sitting with her at lunch yesterday. Nikki loved a girl who actually ate. She could never understand the point of starving yourself like Sam did. They sat at the small eat-in-kitchen table.
Mia broke the silence, “So why are you here? Why are you following me around town? What is so important it couldn’t wait until Monday?”
Taking a deep breathing to calm her nerves Nikki replied, “Like I said, we didn’t get off to the best start, partly my fault. We will be seeing a lot of each other, what with our weekly conferences. I really do think you have a lot to offer the team. Based on how hard you fought me; I’m assuming you will fight even harder for someone that is in trouble.”
Mia stopped her there, “Partly your fault? What weekly conferences? What are you talking about? Richard never said anything about meetings. Just to meet with the players every week and sign the progress reports.”
Mia was trying to control her temper, but she could already feel herself getting red in the face. Are you kidding me? Partly your fault my ass!
“Richard wants to get all the coaches together every week to see how this “experiment” is working. I thought he would have told you. I’m sorry. Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe it’s just the coaches that are meeting. I wasn’t sure how else you would stay in the loop. I guess, I just assumed you would be there.”
Hoped you would be there. At least then I know you couldn’t avoid me. Mia would have to see her at very least once a week. Just my luck. Either she will not be there or she was going to be mad at me for giving her more work.
No matter how many times Reed apologized Mia only heard her being commanded again to go over the top for students that did not need her. What would happen to those students that had problems at home or in school and needed counseling? No don’t think about it! I won’t let it happen again. I will not let myself get distracted.
Nikki could see the slip in Mia’s demeanor, the sadness in her eyes. What was all this keeping her from? Family? Friends? Spouse? Just because she is not married does not mean she lives alone. Nikki took another look around. She did not yet know if Mia was even a lesbian. Why do I have to be the only lesbian in the world without a gaydar? She did not see any signs of a boyfriend. No couple’s pictures. Of course there was not much out to begin with. No clues and she had yet to have any personal conversations with Mia. She had not mentioned being held up from other engagements.
“I’m tired of fighting today. Richard will force me to help however he sees fit. Right now I just want to eat,” Mia sounded dejected and defeated, “Why don’t you tell me why you were late this afternoon?”
Mia took a bite out of her burger.
“Actually, I had practice this morning. We were finished by noon, but one of the girls asked for help afterwards with her pitching. I couldn’t turn her away when she needed my help. As much as I wanted to be here on time, the student was more important.”
Mia wasn’t expecting a legit excuse. She thought Reed lost track of time or just didn’t care enough to show up when she insisted Mia be ready. Some sort of power play. The one thing she was not expecting was the beautiful, caring, thoughtful woman that sat across from her. Mia found herself watching as Nikki’s mouth moved. Tracing the line of Nikki’s jaw with her eyes. No! Stop it! You can’t possibly be interested in her. She is infuriating! She is rude and… self-centered and… gorgeous…NO! That’s not… I can’t… Not her! Not now! Not ever!
“I really did want to be here Mia. I’m sorry for being late.”
It hit Mia all at once. The reason Coach Reed was pushing so hard was not stubbornness, a superiority complex or a need for control, but because she actually cared about her players. Just as Mia cared for all the students’ wellbeing. She could understand the need to protect them and work that much harder. She had spent hours her first day trying to remember names and memorize the details of the kids that might require extra time from her. It had kept Mia there hours after school was over, but she was immersed in her work and needed to go over every aspect. Mia refused to stop until she felt confident she had everything necessary for her Monday morning appointments.
They ate in silence. Nikki didn’t want to set Mia off again, she just didn’t know how to talk to her. That is, without upsetting her. At least if I’m quiet I can’t upset her, right? She won’t want to kick me out, I hope. Once they were complete with the meal, Mia cleared the table.
“So is that all you came to say? You tell me repeatedly you want to talk, yet there you sit quietly.”
“I really just wanted to apologize and try to find a way to work together. Having said that, I just realized how much I have intruded on your day. I am sorry for my persistence. And if my need to try to clear the air today has bothered you or put a hinder on your plans, I’m sorry for that too. Nevertheless, you must realize that we work together and should be able to find a common ground. Can we at least plan to get together to decide how best to implement this? Maybe, you could even convince me there is a better way,” Nikki attempted a smile.
She didn’t want to leave without planning to see Mia again.
Mia seemed hesitant to reply. Concerned she would think this would be forced on her anyway. Nikki tried again. “If you’re apprehensive about saying no, you don’t have to be. I’m not asking Richard to get involved. I wouldn’t want him to make you to see every coach to get this started. But, I really would love to meet with you. Maybe Monday sometime. Please.”
Wow. So she does know how to ask. Why couldn’t she have just asked for my input on doing this another way before.
She was still skeptical, can Mia believe this woman? Or was this all a ploy to try to get her to volunteer instead of forcing it on her again. Would it really make a difference at this point if she agreed?
“Please think about it.”
Seeing that perhaps this was a losing battle after all, Nikki got up from the table and turned to leave. Mia asked the question that rang out loudest in her mind.
“How do I trust you?”
“How will you ever know if you don’t try? I’ve coached many students and what I find through the years is that while I may have an exceptional athlete, bad grades are what seem to hold them back every year. Prevent them from going on to college. I’m hoping with your help, we can change that. While I understand there are many students that need assistance, athletes get torn in multiple directions. They can’t go straight home and do homework. Sometimes it’s as late as nine o’clock when we get back from games. Which puts a strain on their academics. If we can stay on top of their grades; get them help when they need it. Maybe, just maybe, we ca
n tip the scale. I hope you will reconsider.”
Nikki left without another word.
Mia stood there long after Reed left. She couldn’t make heads or tail about the coach. Just when Mia thought she had the coach figured out, Reed changed her entire presentation. Her facial features and voice took on different mannerisms. She almost seemed, nice. The entire day had been a roller coaster of emotions. What surprised Mia the most was her reaction to seeing Nikki in her doorway. Why didn’t Mia notice her looks the first time she saw her? She put it off to the gym shorts. How could you notice anything while yelling at each other? It doesn’t matter. She is gone and you can put Coach Reed out of your head.
Chapter Six
Mia did not hear from Coach Reed the rest of the weekend. Nor did she call the following week. She had not seen her in the halls or cafeteria. Maybe she had finally taken the hint.
Student athletes had started to come in for their initial appointment. Mia asked how they were handling their course load and home life. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and she let it go at that. She knew they would be bringing in reports to be signed every week, but perhaps that would be the end of it. Quick five minute conversations, sign the paper and get back to genuine problems and legitimate concerns. Of course even five minute discussions added up quickly when there were more than one hundred athletes.
Mia didn’t know why, the fact that Nikki never called bothered her. You kept trying to get rid of her, well congratulations, you succeeded. Unsure why there had been no follow up, Mia decided to go see Reed at the end of the day. Maybe she missed fighting with her. A way to let some of her anger out, she definitely had plenty of that. If that’s all it was, why was she not angry now that Reed wasn’t around? Mia tapped her pencil on the desk as she thought. Sure she had guilt and plenty of pain, but she wasn’t as angry as she had been when she came here. She almost felt lonely. For the first time in years, the job did not fill her life. Maybe she just wanted someone to talk to. She hadn’t spoken to friends in more months than she could remember. Her family tried to talk her out of moving, but she hadn’t heard from them since coming to Greenville. She couldn’t talk to them anyway. Even now, with all the time that had passed, it pained her to think about it. If she called, all her family would do is try to get her to move back home. It was better this way.
Nikki had been a wreck all week. She was distracted, moody and absentminded. She was barely able to focus enough of her attention to finish the roster by Monday. She thought, if she cleared the air with Mia, they could move forward. She desired to work with Mia, perchance even be friends. Right…that’s all you want…to be friends. Not once had it occur to Nikki when she walked out of Mia’s apartment that it would be The End. What if I never speak to her again; never see her again? What a silly thing to think. We work together. I will undoubtedly see her. However, talking to Mia out of necessity was not good enough. Nikki wanted more than the mere sight of her. More than passing silently in the hall. She didn’t dare make the first move again. Seeking Mia’s help without the resentment Richard’s involvement had brought. She would have to function without Mia and make the best of it, or try to. Nikki knew she could discuss slipping grades with teachers. In spite of that, only Mia could help get her into the mind of the student if something was off.
More than anything, she still wanted to see Mia smile. She wanted to see her angry. Hell she just wanted to see her. The need was scary and definitely did not have anything to do with why she kept her distance. She did not go in extra early to avoid seeing her in the parking lot. She did not eat in the faculty lounge to avoid staring at her as she interacted with the students. She was just absorbed in the season and her game plan. The additional paperwork from the progress reports. Right…keep telling yourself that, one day you might believe it. Okay, Monday I will just go to lunch so I can see her…if she acknowledges me I could wave…maybe casually talk to her…if she will let me. Nikki sighed and felt her shoulders droop. You’re hopeless.
After school Mia went to Coach Reed’s office. Unlike the first time, Mia would not go in guns a blazing. This time she would handle it better. She took a deep breath, raised her hand to knock on the cracked door, but paused when she overheard another woman talking to Reed.
“Oh Nikki, where have you been keeping yourself. I hardly ever see you anymore, except at practice. Are you avoiding me?” Sam asked.
“No, I’m not avoiding you. I’ve been busy this week.”
“Wonderful, then you can come to dinner with me tonight, and I’m not taking no for an answer. You buried yourself in work this week. Now it is time for a bit of fun.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I just want to go home. I have a lot of work to do and I seriously don’t have time to go.”
“Nikki you have to get out sometime. You can’t keep yourself squirreled away. Let’s get one drink, then you can decide what else you would like to grab tonight.”
“I am fine, really. I’m a little preoccupied, but in all honesty, I’m okay. Thank you anyway.”
Just then, Nikki saw movement outside her door. She went into the hall and saw the silhouette of Mia Sanchez walking away. She guessed that Mia overheard her conversation with Sam, but why did she leave? Nikki stood in the hall with her hands on her hips. Her eyebrows furrowed. Why didn’t she knock? Shit, does she think there is something between me and Sam? Why would that matter to Mia? She has made how she feels about me perfectly clear, right? Nikki was still standing there befuddled when Sam stuck her head out.
“What is it? Is someone there?” Sam asked.
No. No one was there. But she was going to find out why.
I should wait, someone was clearly in the office. If Mia guessed right, it was that blonde from the last time she was here. Maybe she is involved with the team or with Reed. They are definitely not talking about the team. Mia shifted her weight, growing more uncomfortable by the minute. She could only hear the blonde’s side of the exchange, but it was more than enough. She did not want to stick around to hear more. Mia was not interested in the details of their relationship. It didn’t take much for her to decide this was a mistake and she headed back to her office. What was I thinking? That Reed would just sit around with this beautiful woman and not get involved? She didn’t care anyway. Nikki is free to see whomever she wants. It doesn’t matter to me. I was just trying to speak with her about the athletes and their progress. I’m only leaving because I didn’t want to interrupt a, clearly, very personal discussion.
Nikki had finished the team’s batting practice, changed into unsoiled clothing and leapt into her truck. Without worrying about the consequences, she headed towards Mia’s apartment. She had not planned to go anywhere tonight, but prayed that Mia at her door meant she was willing to talk. It didn’t take long to get to the apartment complex from the school. When she arrived at the building, she didn’t see Mia’s little blue car anywhere in the lot. Where could she be? Her car wasn’t parked at the school when she left. Nikki sat behind the wheel racking her brain, trying to decide where to look next. She looked around the parking lot trying to think. Nikki sat flipping her phone over in her hand, needing the motion as she deliberated. She was too jittery to sit still. Should she attempt calling? No. In person Mia cannot hang up on me.
Oh no! No no no…what is she doing here? She usually practices late. Why would she be here? Doesn’t she have a date? Mia pulled into a spot next to the big black truck. She pretended not to notice it and sat gathering her belongings to go inside. She picked up her purse and coffee cup. Maybe she won’t notice that I pulled in and I can slip right in the building while she is distracted. Yeah right, she drove to your apartment building so as not to talk to you. Maybe she is here to see someone else. Like I’m that lucky. Mia grabbed her phone and keys. She took a deep breath, you can do this. When she looked back up, Nikki was opening her door.
“Hello.”
Oh what a wit you are. You drive all the way across town to her apartment, debate searchi
ng the town for her, and all you have to say is Hello! You really couldn’t do better than that? At least offer to help her out of the car you dolt.
“What are you doing here?”
Mia did not mention the other places she knew Nikki was going tonight or who she might be with. She took Nikki’s outstretched hand, sliding out of her car into the small space. Thank goodness she had to take a step back for Reed to close her door. There was no air to breathe, except that which was littered with Nikki’s cologne. She doesn’t need to know that I overheard her conversation. The question was why she was here, opening my car door, at my apartment?
“I saw you after school. It looked like you were coming to see me and maybe changed your mind. I’m hoping I can change it back.”
Mia blushed. Of course she saw me. Still doesn’t really explain why she is here. She could have spoken with me on Monday.
“It was nothing. Just checking in. Thought maybe you were out sick or something since you haven’t been around. You know, harassing me.”
She noticed I wasn’t there. Don’t get excited, it means nothing.
“Do you want to grab a bite? I haven’t had dinner yet.”
Mia looked confused, “Don’t you already have plans.”
“What would make you think I had plans?” Nikki asked.
Blushing again, Mia stared at her hands as they fidgeted with her keys. She tried to find any justification in her mind besides the truth. Mia didn’t know why, she hadn’t done anything wrong. She was waiting for an opportunity to interject, but felt embarrassed. To an onlooker she would have appeared to be eavesdropping.
“Well, when I went to knock on your door I kind of overheard some of your conversation… with the blonde. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Trusting Again Page 5