Jason heard the scream from across the training complex. Everyone around him turned, desperately trying to see who was hurt.
Slowly, groups of players moved towards the pitching mound. Jason ran over and found Alex already there, trying to clear space around Russel. Fuck.
Russel, the team's captain, was writhing on the ground. He held his shoulder tightly and his face was red.
"Everybody move aside, give him space," Alex spoke firmly and directed everyone out of the area.
Slowly, players went back to running drills. Adrenaline was coursing through Jason and, for the first time since the night at the club, Jason wasn't completely distracted by Alex's presence.
"What happened?" Jason asked, frowning.
Alex was massaging the joint and assessing Russel quietly. She looked up at Jason and shook her head.
This injury did not bode well for the rest of the camp, let alone the season and the team's chances at winning any championships. Jason was worried for the team and himself: he needed this season to go well if he had any hope at a full time job here.
Slowly, Russel rose to his feet. Jason and Alex supported him and walked back into the training facility. Behind them, players and coaching staff clapped in support of Russel.
The gym was empty; the team would be in the field for the rest of the day. Alex unlocked the door to one of the offices and came back with some bandages and supplies.
"How are you feeling, Russel?" she asked.
He shook his head. He was pale and shaking.
Behind Russel, Jason leaned in to Alex's ear and tried to avoid the rush of her scent. "Do you think we need to go to the hospital? He doesn't look very good."
Alex shook her head. Out of Russel's earshot, she murmured, "Just do what I say."
Alex slowly manipulated Russel's shoulder, periodically telling him to breathe or relax. She deftly wrapped the joint with a bandage and asked him to move into certain positions.
Jason lost track of how long she was working on Russel. After what felt like forever, she looked up and asked, "Does the facility have a sauna?"
Jason grabbed his key ring and opened a door off the washrooms at the back of the gym.
"Nobody really uses them much anymore, but we do have a few."
Alex turned to Russel and said, "Do 20 minutes in here then go home and rest it. Ice tonight, okay? I'll text you a list of stretches to do in the morning before you come in."