2

"How's the baby, Rob?" I asked while spotting Finn on the rack. Rob was 25 and played goalie. His wife just had a baby and he was looking worse for wear.

Rob let out a groan as he put his barbells down on the rack. I wasn't looking at the 6'1" man because I was focused on Finn's back along with Jason, but I could tell that Rob had a pained expression on his face.

"Baby is fine. I however, am not. I haven't slept in two weeks." He groaned as Finn set the bar down and the weights echoed through the room. Now that Jason was here, Finn could always practice weights beyond my strength.

I silently cursed myself out for bringing up the baby issue while changing the plates to my lift. Three....two....one.....

Jason snorted. "You think the baby is tough? Ask these two idiots about their schedule for this year."

"Buzz off, Jason." I muttered loud enough for the guys around me to hear.

"What is your schedule, exactly?" Anthony asked. He went by Ant just because it was shorter. Ant was a pro also. He was 22.

"Here till 12 then I have practice with the Tarpins from 1-2. I got class at 3 and 5 then I have practice from 7-10." I listed like it bored me. In reality I just didn't want to think about it.

"Seriously? That's crazy. What about your second semester?" Ant asked while getting up from the lateral pull down and wiping his forehead of sweat.

"Class at 2:30, 3:45, and 5. But the two thirty is right next to the stadium so I just need to take a five minute shower and I'm done. And that's only three days a week. The other two are just 3 and 5." I said while positioning myself in front of the bar. I could feel the warm metal against my chalked hands as Finn told me he was ready. My legs pulled the weight up and thrust it to my shoulders before I dropped and locked my elbows, completing the lift. After this, we would do normal weighted squats to get higher reps.

"When are you supposed to socialize?" Rob asked and Jason muttered something under his breath that I didn't quite hear.

The two of them had moved to two of the many treadmills lining the walls. This place was practically a carnival game with all the mirrors. All four walls were lined with mirrors and it still tripped me out five months later. "We're socializing right now." I retorted after doing another Clean and Jerk.

"I mean friends that don't play lacrosse." Rob added to his point while starting a low jog. My eyebrows drew together and Jason rolled his dark brown eyes.

"Think about high school. How many friends did you have that didn't play lacrosse?"

Finn and I shared a look before turning back to them. "One." We said at the same time.

"One?" Ant raises an eyebrow. "What? Did they all play girls lacrosse or something?"

"No. I had one girlfriend who ran track. Aka the one person we were friends with that wasn't on the team." I replied.

Finn and I had rotated to the squat rack were he started to do his reps. "We had a close team." He said between squats.

"Figures. You guys were number one in the state. Why weren't you friends with the girls team? Usually boys and girls varsity go hand and hand." Rob asked.

"I know you've all seen the state rankings. Are you stupid? Look at every top seed high school then look at the girls. Those towns are ranking in both genders. Then look at Groton. Our high school only started winning four years ago and the girls are at the very bottom of the list. That's because our coach was good and we had a good Goalie. We all know it only takes one good goalie to win." Finn said once he finished his exercises.

"The reason the girls suck is because they're all on drugs at a school that sucks at sports. Becoming lacrosse State Champions was a freak event." I finished off while switching places with Finn.

I started my reps, breathing in and out in sync with my movements. I wasn't trying to build muscle on these exercises, I was just trying to maintain it. At this point my legs didn't need to be any thicker or any stronger. I wasn't going to the Olympics for weight, I was going for lacrosse.

After ten repetitions my muscles burned and I set the bar back on its designated area. "Bicep curls?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Sure." Finn replied as we moved to the rack to take the weights. We were definitely a disgustingly PDA couple but practice is the one time we barely acknowledged that we were dating. We both had to get in the zone so we blocked everything else out.

"Okay, so forget the social life," Rob started again. Speaking of blocking things out.... "You and Finn are dating. When are you supposed to do couple things?"

This time Jason snorted. "Okay, usually I'm on your side man but that won't be a problem for them. At practice they might avoid each other like water and oil but as soon as we step out of this stadium they might as well be making out all day."

"You're just jealous. We need to find you a girlfriend." Finn stated. How these four could talk easily while working out was beyond me. I sounded like I was dying and I always would.

"How are you going to find me a girlfriend? I'm 23. You're surrounded by people aged 18-21." Jason rolled his eyes.

"That's a five year difference max. Plenty of people have way larger age gaps." I pointed out with great difficulty. I hate working on arms. I always sucked at them.

"Yeah but I don't want to date a college kid while I'm traveling for work and training constantly. It's just hard to build a relationship when you have no time." Jason complained. Again, this man is running and he is having a fluent conversation.

My arm felt like it was going to fall off but I kept going because I hadn't finished. It's moments like this were I question my life's choices. Why did I choose a career that makes me physically hate moving?

"He has a point. You're lucky you got with Finn before your lives got hectic." Ant said while also moving to a treadmill. Lacrosse players loved those damn machines while I avoided them like the plague.

"Well, it was definitely a little hectic right before we started dating." I muttered so no one could hear me. My words didn't escape the bionic ears of my boyfriend, though. Nothing got pasted him.

His green eyes sent me a knowing look as if to say 'it will be okay'. His lips pursed like he wanted to say something but Finn let the moment pass. Now wasn't the time.

Finn knew I was stressed out about the trial. It was coming up in a month and I wasn't sure if I could handle it. The nightmares were almost completely gone and when they did happen, I usually could fall back asleep after realizing that I was awake and okay. My biggest fear though, was that once I see them in front of me, not more than twenty feet away, that I'll have another panic attack or that the nightmares would come back.

I couldn't afford to start having episodes again. Not when my life was starting to pick itself up again.

I just couldn't.

****

"Sylvia? Are you okay? You've been acting off ever since that conversation in the weight room." Finn's voice rang out behind me.

I rested my forehead against the cool blue metal of the locker. It contrasted with my sweaty and warm skin. There was no use showering when I had practice in an hour again. I would shower right before class instead.

I closed my eyes and let the darkness consume my mind. Something about it was relaxing. There was nothing in front of my eyes to distract my already rampid brain.

Once again I had a locker room all to myself so Finn walked in whenever he wanted. I didn't mind. It gave us some alone time, even if it was only ten or twenty minutes. We didn't need to be at practice until 1 and it was a 25 minute drive so we could afford some time alone while Jason did whatever it is Jason does. We would pick up food from the UOT café before we left because it was free for athletes and it was healthy.

When I didn't respond Finn sighed from behind me and rested his forehead on my right shoulder. "I'm scared, Finn." My voice was so weak it sounded like it was about to crack. That was the first time I had admitted I was actually scared and not just nervous. "They scare me."

I didn't open my eyes until Finn removed his head from my shoulder and spun me around to me back was against the cold metal. His forest eyes were the color the vibrant grass back home. It was captivating. Usually people were scared of others seeing their souls, but when Finn looked into your eyes, it was calming. "It's okay to be scared. It makes you stronger. You can look at them and know that your untouchable now. They can't do anything to you. They tried to ruin your life and they did no such thing. You are strong and brave. Remember? Triskelion."

I loved that necklace. If I didn't have practice, I would wear it everyday. I used to wear it everyday and take it off for school practice and games but now I play too much to bother with jewelry. Finn's Christmas gift to me still sits on our dresser so I can see it everyday.

"And if it makes you feel better, I'll be right there. Your father will be there, my father, and I. All our friends will be there. We're all there to support you. To help you. They can't do anything to you even if they wanted too." He whispered while running his thumb over my cheek.

I had seen a physiologist like Finn had recommend but they just prescribed my Xanax to take when I was having a rough week. I had never used them.

"I'm sorry for stressing you out. I know it takes a toll on you too. Even if you don't admit it." I whispered while my eyes flickered to the lockers behind him just so I didn't have to look at his face. I always felt embarrassed and weak when we talked about things like this. I couldn't help it, it was my nature.

"Hey. Look at me." Finn demanded softly. He waited until I did it on my own, not wanting to rush me or overwhelm me. "It does take a toll. It takes a toll because I love you and I worry about you. Not because it's an inconvenience for me. Get that idea out of your head. I love you. I love you. I love you. That's all that matters."

"Why are you so perfect?" I murmured wistfully. A small smile worked its way into my lips, something that seemed to be rare when I got into a mood like this. "You always know what to say."

"Maybe its because I have a perfect muse." He smirked. "Or maybe it's because I'm just perfect at everything."

I laughed whole heartedly. "Started out sweet, ended cocky. It's a classic for you, really."

"There's that beautiful smile." He ignored my jab, his sparkling eyes the only indication that he heard it. Finn leaned in before giving me a soft kiss. I kissed him back, putting a little more passion and hunger into the kiss.

Our five day streak has been updated to a sleek seven as of late.

He got the memo and wasted no time in moving his hands to my ass. Finn loved my ass almost as much as I loved his jawline; and that was a whole damn lot.

Making out with Finn was probably one of my favorite pass times that never seemed to get old. His touch still lit me on fire like it did that first time back in January. I was always a puddle of mush as soon as his hands were on my body.

Sadly, we wouldn't be able to do much more because we had to leave soon.

I guess I'll just have to wait.