On The Pitch!

Chapter 3 ~ Check Up Time!

Nicks POV:

11:39 AM
I checked my watch, stomach grumbling. Time for lunch—and only one thing would do: star‑shaped chicken nuggies from Carl's Jr. I made my way to the campus food court, where I placed my order:

"10‑piece star nuggets combo, small fries, and a Diet Dr Pepper."

I LOVE chicken nuggies and my diet Dr Pepper. Keeping my body a temple for practice, but this diet Dr Pepper couldn't compare to a real sugary one. Ugghhhhh when can I have a cheat day. I thought to myself

"Order 87!" they called out.

"That's me," I said, grabbing the tray and requesting extra ranch. I found a table, dove in, and—after smearing ranch on my shirt—realized I was a mess. Typical. I cleaned up, threw away the trash, and walked off sipping my Dr Pepper.

11:50 AM
My phone buzzed with a reminder:

All athletes must get pre‑participation physicals today between 12:00–1:30. $30 fee.

Crap. I forgot completely—and doctors freak me out. Needles. Stress.

Still, as long as I avoid creepy old doctors... I might survive, right?

I hurried over, arriving at 11:55 to find a long line at the gym. Two volunteers checked me in, I paid via Apple Pay—a satisfying cha‑ching—and moved through stations:
   •    Height: 70 in. (5'10"!)
    •    Weight: 180 lbs. Not bad for a D5 recruit.

As I waited for the next station, I heard my name.

"Hey Nick! Come on up, buddy."

It was Jayden.

Great, just what I needed.

I walked right over to his both and sat next to him, heart pounding.

"Nice surprise seeing you again today, Nick."

"Can we hurry this up?"

"Sure, but what's got you so flustered?"

"I can't be late to training. I've already been late once." I mumbled

His voice—soft, calm—made my head spin. Fuzzy. Easy to follow.

"Nick, you'll be fine. If you're late, just call me. I'll talk to the coaches."

Then he wrapped the BP cuff around my arm and squeezed.

"Feeling nervous? Your pressure's a bit high for a big boy."

I flared red. "Yeah..."

He wrote a note, then patted my head.

"You did great, Nick. Brave big boy."

I whispered, "Otay." My voice came out soft and weird. I fled the booth, furious with myself. Why does he make me feel like this?

⸻

In the long line for the physician, I bumped into Sebastian.

Sebastion spoke up "Did you make it to class?"

"No... I'm in trouble, I know it."

He chuckled. "Coach cares if you own up. He's a Caregiver—basically the team's Dad. He looks after all his players, basically the center of the football program."

My heart twisted. Caregiver. Just like Jayden. Can I play football with my feelings all mixed up right now?

⸻

At the physician's desk, the questions were quick. When asked about my blood pressure, I wheezed, "Just nerves."

I got my clearance. Officially good to train.

Walking back to my dorm, I tried to quiet the buzz in my head.

I don't need anyone. I don't need Jayden.

But... his voice echoed.

"You were a brave big boy."

My heart lifted at the memory—yet my mind fought me.

Why am I so messed up over this?

Chapter 3 hope you guys liked it, right now I'm trying to think of the direction I want to go with Nick and Jayden's relationship and I think I have a somewhat solid plan, hope to get the next chapters out soon, gonna be some juicy plot 😤

feel free to comment and vote ~ author ✍️😊👋