Page 71 of A Match Made In Fall

I stare at the screen. I hadn't planned on telling her through a text message, but she's good at reading through the lines.

Yes. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you in person.

Three dots appear almost immediately.

It's okay. I've been preparing myself.

I groan and lean back in my chair. Maybe telling her over text is easier because I don't have to see the expression on her face. Telling her the trade was a possibility had been hard enough, and now it’s real.

She sends another message.

I'll see you soon.

I set my phone down and let out a long breath. For the first time since the news became official, the reality finally settles in that I'm getting everything I've worked for. The chance to play for one of the league's best teams is an extraordinary honor, and yet it feels like I'm losing something at the same time.

"How's it going?" Nick asks sitting on the bench beside me.

"I'm not sure," I admit. "But now I understand what you went through last season."

He nods.

"Man, I get it. It’s rough, but Golden State is a great team. You'll fit their style perfectly."

"I know." I stare down at the floor. "And I'm grateful for the opportunity." I pause. "The Bears are a great team too. I think you know that now."

A small smile crosses his face. "Yes. I do."

Then he nudges my shoulder. “If I can give you one piece of advice, don’t show up there with a bad attitude.”

I laugh. “You mean don’t act like you did when you got traded here?”

“Exactly.”

“Thanks for the tip,” I mutter.

Nick gives me a curious look, studying me for a moment.

“In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you like this. This is about more than just the trade, isn’t it?”

I let out a breath and nod. “Is it that obvious?”

He shakes his head. “No. I just happen to have the inside scoop. Abby’s been talking about you and Isabella. She keeps trying to get information out of me, but that’s not really my thing.”

A small smile spreads across my lips. “Good to know.”

“Still,” he says, leaning back in his chair, “I can tell something’s going on.”

I stare down at the floor for a second before answering. “Admittedly, I’m having a hard time with all of this.”

His eyebrows rise. “It’s that serious, huh?”

“Yeah.” I nod slowly. “The crazy part is it happened so fast. A few months ago, I didn’t even know Isabella, and now I can’t stop thinking about her. Every decision I make seems connected to her somehow.”

Nick lets out a knowing sigh. “Trust me, I get it. When Abby came into my life, I was done. I didn’t stand a chance once I met her.”

“At least you two live in the same city,” I point out.

“That’s true.” He pats my shoulder. “But if the two of you are supposed to be together, you’ll figure it out. The distance won’t matter.”