preseason 2021:
Elle Simmons, fresh out of college, is the Cincinnati Bengals' new athletic trainer. Along with work, stress and the aftermath from her latest relationship, she's trying not to neglect her personal life too much.
Joe Burrow, the Ben...
After all the AT staff's equipment was in the truck, Elle went to her room to change and get ready for the after party. Together with the other girls she had agreed on the dress code orange. At least one piece of clothing had to be in this color.
Luckily Elle had been prepared and had packed an orange crop top, to which she put on her favorite jeans with the holes on one leg and slipped into her black Old Skool Vans, before she put her purse, cell phone and room key into her black shoulder bag and put her sunglasses on her head to round off the outfit.
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The hall was already pretty full when Elle arrived downstairs. Kid Cudi was on stage and already performing, while Elle watched with a grin as Joe stood behind him with a few team mates and sang along.
He was wearing his beige leather jacket that Elle liked so much on him, with a white simple shirt and gray jeans. Kid Cudi, on the other hand, was wearing a white Bengals jersey with Joe's number on it.
Elle first decided to go look for her parents, who had told her earlier that they were already here, and leave Joe alone on stage with the team mates for now.
She found her parents along with Joe's on the side of the crowd. Despite the music, which was definitely not their taste, and the mass of people filling the room, the four seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Elle, honey, hey, how are you?" her mother immediately enveloped her in a warm hug when Elle reached the group, pressing a kiss to her hair before brushing strands from her face. "Does the defeat hurt a lot?"
"Hey mom, I think we've digested the initial shock. It's still not pretty" Elle shrugged. "But tonight we're here to celebrate a successful season, even if it didn't end up being enough to win the Super Bowl" she added as she also hugged her father.
"You guys deserve this, sweetie. You put together an unbelievable season. You deserve to celebrate. Despite losing" Robin assured her before first she and finally Jimmy, who nodded in agreement, hugged Elle.
"How's Joey doing? Have you talked to him yet?" Robin then asked, pointing to the stage where Joe was still vigorously rapping along to the lyrics while moving his arms,hands in his pockets. It looked amusing.
Elle nodded. "We talked earlier in the locker room. He looked pretty down, understandably. But he seems to be doing better" Elle grinned as she continued to watch Joe's performance.
"Well, that's good to hear. And you're glad the season is over now?" Jimmy inquired. Elle shrugged her shoulders. "Well, on the one hand, I am. Having a few months of rest isn't bad, but I like my job and I think I'm going to miss game days and all the hustle and bustle a lot"
"Well I'm glad I might get to see you more often when you're not working all the time" her mother clarified, nudging Elle yet grinning. "You'll wish you could get rid of me again when I get on your nerves, Mom" Elle grinned back.
