“I believe you loved me in the way you were capable of loving someone. But it wasn't enough.” I stand and place my napkin on the table. “Go back to Charlotte, Brody. Find someone who can give you what you need because it's not me. It was never going to be me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he says, but his tone is not confident.
I’m so tempted to grab my coffee and toss it on his face. Maybe that will penetrate his thick skull. “If you contact me again, I'm getting a restraining order. I mean it. Goodbye, Brody.”
I walk out of the restaurant without looking back. The lobby is busy with guests checking in and out, and I weave through them toward the front entrance. Outside, I flag down a cab and give the driver the arena's address.
As the city slides by outside the window, relief comes over me. It's finally done. No more Brody.
The cab drops me at the arena, and I head inside, composing myself as I walk through the corridors. My afternoon is clear of sessions, and I plan to catch up on paperwork, maybe call Ethan and apologize for being weird earlier.
I'm almost to my office when Ken appears from around the corner. “Natalie, perfect timing. Do you have a minute?”
“Yes, of course.”
He gestures for me to follow him to his office. Once inside, he closes the door and motions for me to sit.
“I have some news,” he says, settling into his chair. “Ivory Brock is leaving the organization. Her boyfriend has accepted a position in another state, and she's relocating with him.”
My stomach drops.Ivory is leaving?She never mentioned anything about this.
“This puts us in need of a full-time physical therapist for the team,” Ken continues. “Someone who understands the demands of the sport, and has proven themselves capable of handling high-profile cases.”
My heart starts pounding.
“We'd like to offer you the position of a permanent member of our medical staff, Natalie.”
I stare at him, certain I've misheard.
When I took this contract, I had a plan. Six months to test the waters and to figure out if New York was where I belonged or just a temporary escape. If things went well, I'd start job hunting around month four.
I never imagined the job would come to me.
A permanent position and a career with one of the most elite sports organizations in the country. My heart is racing, my palms are damp, and I have to consciously stop myself from grinning like an idiot.
“I'm honored,” I say.
“You've done exceptional work with Ethan Ward. His progress has exceeded all our expectations. The organization is very impressed. So what do you say?”
Some decisions are easy when you know exactly what you want. “Yes. I'd love to accept.”
Ken's smile widens. “That's what I was hoping to hear.” He stands and extends his hand. “Welcome to the team, Natalie.”
I shake his hand. “Thank you, Ken. I won't let you down.”
“I know you won't. That's why we chose you.”
I leave his office, my mind spinning. I feel as if I’m walking on air but underneath the excitement, something nags at me. Ivory never said anything about leaving. We've become close over the past few weeks. Why wouldn't she mention something this significant?
I find her in the treatment room, working on Logan Shaw's shoulder. The goalie is lying face-down on the table, his massive frame taking up nearly the entire surface.
“Hey,” I say from the doorway. “Got a minute when you're done?”
Ivory glances up. “Five minutes. I'm almost finished here.”
I wait in the hallway, checking my phone. Still no messages from Ethan. I type out a quick text:Going for a drink with Ivory after work. See you later?
He's probably napping. The skate this morning took a lot out of him.
