Sunshine
Your place or mine tonight?
I typed my reply with a smile I couldn’t hide.
Connor
Mine. I know how much you love walking on the beach in the mornings
Nate came back, slightly less sweaty in a fresh shirt, at least, and I pocketed my phone. He nodded once, sharply, nerves already back in his shoulders. “Ready?”
“When you are, lad.”
Coach Emery’s office was off the far end of the Valkyries’ facility, tucked away like it had been deliberately placed to discourage casual visits.
“Did you ask her to make time for you?” I asked.
“I did,” he replied, wiping his palms on his sweats. He blew out a quick breath before knocking.
“Come in,” she called, voice flat.
She was standing at the whiteboard, marker in hand, already halfway through rewriting something aggressive and tactical. Her hair was pulled back tight, sleeves rolled up, expression carved from granite.
“This better be quick,” she said, still not turning around.
Nate cleared his throat. “Coach. Thanks for seeing us.”
“You’ve got two minutes,” she said. “Talk.”
Nate shifted, then steadied. “My sister’s declaring for next season. She’s a winger. Strong under pressure. Smart runner. I was hoping—if there’s a possibility—you might take a look. She’d like to stay close.”
Coach Emery finally capped the marker and faced us fully.
“I don’t recruit because someone’s related to one of my players,” she said. “And I don’t promise spots before trials.”
“I know,” Nate said quickly. “I’m not asking for that. Only if she’d be considered.” He cleared his throat. “On merit.”
Silence stretched. Emery’s gaze flicked to me then, sharp as a blade.
“You vouching for her, too?” she asked.
I didn’t hesitate. “I’m vouching for his work ethic,” I said evenly. “And for the fact that he wouldn’t waste your time if he didn’t believe she could earn it.”
Emery studied me for a long beat, then looked back at Nate.
“Send her tape,” she said. “Full match footage. If she’s good enough, she’ll make it through trials like everyone else.”
Nate exhaled, slow and controlled. “Thank you, Coach.”
When she turned back to the board, we took that as our cue to leave.
We stepped back out into the air-conditioned space, the noise of the facility humming around us again.
Nate scrubbed a hand over his face, a grin breaking through. “That went… better than I thought.”
I huffed. “For Emery? That was practically an endorsement.”
Relief loosened his shoulders as he laughed quietly. “Yeah. Thanks for coming with me.”
