Once Max strides away, I focus on Dante. “Would you like any more of these? And can I add this to your breakfast next week?”
Dante watches Max’s retreating back, then turns to me. “You two need to be careful.”
“Hmm?” I ask.
He points toward Max. “Whatever the two of you are doing. If management finds out, they’ll fire you. Just keeping it real, Layla. They’ll keep him because it’s cheaper to lose you.”
“Nothing’s going on between us,” I stammer, but Dante gives me a look that tells me he doesn’t believe a word I say. “I’m serious. Nothing is going on.”
He steps closer to me. “If that’s true, then keep it that way. Don’t let anything happen. It seems like you’re happy here, and we all know he isn’t. So don’t do anything that will mess with your happiness here, both with the Raptors and in Denver.”
“I am very happy here,” I say quietly. “And I’m not going to let anything jeopardize that.”
“Best tell him that, too. I love hindsight, because it never occurred to me until right now how he looks differently at you than he does anyone else. Like I just fucking saw it for the first time, and it all made sense. Be careful. Take care of yourself first, okay?” Dante says. “Oh, and you can add that egg thing to my breakfast routine for Houston, but take out the spinach, please. I draw the line there.”
My jovial mood completely dissipates as his words hit home. Houston. We go to Houston tomorrow. “Okay, I’ll make those changes.”
It’s been well over a year since I’ve seen Javier, and I’d be happy never running into him again. I think if our first interactions camein Denver, I’d manage it better. But this being on his turf is more debilitating, I think.
I tried to get out of the trip altogether, but Coach Dunn said no. I’m not a good liar either, or I probably could have come up with something that sounded plausible. Mom had an accident, a fire in my building, anything. But I hate lying.
So, here I am, on the team plane, en route to Houston.
On the road trips so far, I’ve roamed around the cabin, checking in with players to see how they feel their meal plans are going. But today, I’m glued to my seat. Terror fills my veins as I think about how every minute, I’m one minute closer to my rapist, and I have no idea how things are going to go. Maybe he won’t acknowledge me. Or he won’t even know I’m there.
But this is Javier Morales I’m talking about, and his ego is bigger than the Empire State Building. I have no doubt he’s kept track of me since I left Atlanta, and I should expect to run into him in Houston. I can only hope it’s in a well-lit location, with cameras, and other people present.
My phone vibrates with a text, and I pull it from my pocket.
Sunshine
You good?
Sunshine
You usually come bother everyone on flights.
Sunshine
How am I supposed to get through the next two hours without an argument about pesticides or preservatives?
Sunshine
Your lack of response is concerning.
Sunshine
Seriously, are you okay?
Sunshine
I know the first rule is to not talk about it, but I’m assuming the radio silence is because of him. Am I right?
Me
A Fight Club reference? Really?
Sunshine
