Page 79 of The No Try Zone
Kari looks back, her gaze pinned the floor. “I don’t know. I think she didn’t remember at first.”
“And since then?” I prompt. Nausea roils in my gut.
“Maybe…bits and pieces. But I really don’t know. You can’t – you can’t tell her I told you.”
I nod, feeling far too tender and raw. Does she remember the kiss on the dance floor? Because I relive that fucking kiss almost daily.
“And you’re doing the right thing, keeping all this quiet,” she says. “You’re going to continue doing that, yes?”
“Yes.” I know it’s the right thing to do, despite the gurgling in my stomach.
She jerks her chin down. “Good. I want to be clear: I don’t like any of this.” Her voice lowers. “It’s not just the PR thing. Sam is…” She trails off and sighs. “Sam is my best friend. And I know I come across as some kind of ice queen, but I’m trying to protect the team. And you. But mostly her. I’m not –” She cuts off and takes a beat. When she looks back at me, her eyes are glassy. “I know I’m not warm and fuzzy. I know I’m a bitch.”
The word sounds wrong coming out of her mouth. Cruel, even, and it makes my heart hurt for her. “Kari.”
She holds a hand up. “I am. It’s fine. It’s my default setting. But it doesn’t make what I’m about to say any less true: Whatever it is that you two are doing, it’s dangerous. It can’t end well for her. You know that.”
My jaw clenches. Idon’tknow that. But I don’t know that it will, either. Because she’s got to go home eventually. She won’t stay here. It doesn’t matter. My job, my complete focus, needs to be the team. It needs tostayon the team. And then there’s Ollie. Him finding out would be the ultimate betrayal: being his mentor while doing whatever it is I’m doing with his sister right under his nose? No. I can’t. So I nod again all the same. “I’ll handle it.”
“Make sure you do,” she says, her tone all business once more. Then she’s gone, without so much as a backward glance.
My thoughts swirl, unable to settle after having not one, but two women leave my office angry. “What am I supposed to do?” I ask the empty room.
It doesn’t answer.
Chapter29
Sam
IT’S ANOTHER WEEK before I can stop inwardly cringing when I see Kari. Not because I’m embarrassed, but because I’m furious with her. And myself, for not standing up to her sooner.
And, fine, I might be a little embarrassed. But that doesn’t give her the right to act all high and mighty with me. None of this is easy, and all I want is for someone to tell me it’s going to be okay. Even if it’s not.
My phone dings with a text from Elodie.
I miss you. Come over after work?
I consider for the briefest of seconds.
Absolutely. Can I bring anything?
Just yourself. Should I ask Ansel to bring you home?
If he doesn’t mind, sure!
See you soon!
After an endless pile of paperwork that I’ve been avoiding, I make my way up to the pitch to see how practice is going.
Colin spies me instantly, and my gaze snags on him. He’s in his standard khakis and light jacket, seemingly unbothered by the late February weather that has me bundled in a scarf and winter coat. He’s wearing a hat and sunglasses, whistle dangling lazily from his mouth. It drops the second I wink at him, having already confirmed that no one is looking my way.
I swear his cheeks redden, but it could just be the weather. He turns away, bringing the whistle back to his lips and blowing it in one sharp, clear chirp. “Bring it in!”
The players jog across the pitch, some with a bit more enthusiasm than others, most of them giving me a wave as they circle around Colin.
I smile and wave at all of them, grateful for the weak winter sun’s bit of warmth. I’m still not quite used to these months being cold. If I were back home in Melbourne, I’d be in the thick of summer, lounging in the sun every chance I got. Instead, I’m struggling not to shiver in the thick jacket I’m wearing.
Colin and the other coaches finish up and the players stream by me. When Ansel approaches, I fall into place beside him as he glances over.
