“Me too, but we're doing it.”
Jasmine reaches for my coffee and takes a sip. “If this goes badly, we're moving to Maine permanently.”
“I'll start packing.”
The week passes slowly.Blake and I run drills after practice on Wednesday, and he asks me how things are with Jasmine. I tell him we're back together and I tell him about Saturday lunch.
“You’re a brave man,” he says. “You want me to be on standby in case I need to break up a fight?”
“It's a restaurant, Blake. Nobody is going to fight.”
“You haven't met enough mothers.”
Friday night, the Renegades play the Long Island Runners at MSG. Nolan's team.
The building is full, and the energy is loud, and I play like a man who has something to prove. I block four shots and assist on two goals. My back holds, and the Renegades win 4-2. The losing streak is over.
In the locker room, Cole grabs my shoulder. “There he is. Welcome back, Shaw.”
I shower, change, and text Jasmine.
We won. 4-2. I'm coming over.
Jasmine: I saw. You were incredible. Hurry up.
30
Jasmine
Saturday morning, I wake up in Logan's arms in my apartment. The sunlight is coming through the bedroom window in pale stripes across the sheets. He's still asleep, his face relaxed, the lines around his eyes smoothed out.
I ease out of bed, shower, and stand in front of my closet. Today is not a day for armor. Today is a day for looking like exactly who I am — a woman who is confident and not interested in competing with Cat Shaw on any level.
I chose a forest green wrap dress that Mom sold me from the boutique last month. She said the color was made for my skin tone, and she was right.
Logan comes out of the bedroom in a towel and stops when he sees me. “Wow.”
“Too much?”
“You look perfect.”
After a kiss that threatens to lead straight back to bed, I push him towards the shower. While he gets ready, I head to the kitchen, and while the coffee machine is running, I open the group chat.
What would I do without the girls? They’ve encouraged me, held me up when I couldn't see straight, and cheered for me when things were good and showed up with wine when they weren't.
Harper: Thinking of you today. You've got this.
Avery: Give Cat hell.
Natalie: Be gracious. Kill her with class.
Olivia: You are a queen. Don't forget it.
I type back:If I'm not in the group chat by three, send a search party to Long Island.
Logan looks handsome and calm in navy pants and a white button-down. I don't know how he's calm. My hands have been shaking since I woke up.
We drive to Long Island. Logan takes the expressway, and the traffic is light for a Saturday morning. Neither of us talks much. His hand rests on my thigh, and my hand rests on top of his.
