Mrs. Morales looks between the two of us, shifting on her feet. “You can’t record me without my permission.”
Sloane points to the surveillance camera hanging from the ceiling. “Say cheese.”
Mrs. Morales’ eyebrows dip. “Your establishment? You’re hardly old enough to have your own business.”
She doesn’t know it, but that was the wrong thing to say.
I almost feel bad for the lady.
“If you’d like to see my certifications and qualifications to run this business, I’ll gladly have my lawyer send it over to you. Just leave your contact information with Amanda at the front desk.” An innocent smile spreads across Sloane’s face. “But in the meantime, under New Jersey criminal statue 2C:33-4, it’s considered harassment to come into a place of business making threats. So, I suggest you turn around and walk out that door before the cops arrive.”
I cough into my fist to hide my laughter.
Sloane might be young, but she’s as smart as they come.
“That won’t be necessary.” Mrs. Morales glances at me once more before turning around and pushing open the door to exit.
I spin around to face Sloane. “You did not have to do that, but it was so worth it to see the look on that woman’s face.”
Sloane grins. “You know I hate it when people make comments about my age.”
“I sure do.”
Just last month, a man was arguing with Sloane about his treatment and brought up her age, insinuating that she wasn’tqualified enough. She handed him his crutches and told him to call his ride to pick him up and drive him to another physical therapy clinic.
“I did record her talking to you.” Sloane’s thumbs fly across her phone. “Just sent it to you. Maybe it’ll help.”
I heave a long sigh. “I’m sorry she came in here making a scene.”
“Don’t be. I love telling people off. It’s what fuels me.” She shoots me a wink and spins around, her long ponytail swaying as she walks.
“When is Jayden coming back?”
I slip my hands into my pockets and gaze at the group of girls in front of me. “I don’t know.”
“This is bullshit,” Hannah says. “We’re going into the last few games, and Jayden was supposed to be with us.”
“I know, I know.” I hold up my palms. “We can only focus on the things we can control. I know it sucks, and we miss Jayden. But right now, the only thing we can control is how we play.”
Shreeya nods. “We’ll win for him.”
Jayden hasn’t been at school since last week, and it’s taking a toll on the group. They’re worried about him. I am too.
“All right, get out of here. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.”
Ainsley’s practice ends a few minutes after mine, and once the kids are gone, it’s just the two of us cleaning up the equipment.
I follow her into the shed, and drop everything from my hands so they can wrap around her waist instead. Burying mynose into the crook of her neck, I inhale deep. “I missed you today.”
She chuckles as she pushes her ass against me. “I can feel that.”
I dig my teeth into her skin, and she lets out a low moan. “I think you meant to say you missed me too.”
Her hand comes up to the back of my head, holding my mouth against the side of her neck. “That’s presumptuous of you.”
I lick the cusp of her ear. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Her head falls back against my shoulder. “You’re always wrong.”
