Page 130 of Rookie Attraction

“I’ll mimic your trademark glare so they shit their pants first,” I quip.

“Hey, my husband happens to love my glare.”

I laugh. “He’s the only one.”

“Call me after the game, Sel. No excuses.”

“Yes, Coach Damien.”

“If I were there, I’d give you a smack on the shoulder for that and then a big hug.”

“A hug? You?”

“Yes, me.”

I chuckle at his put-out tone.

“Are you planning on coming down here to watch a game in person? I can get you tickets, name the date.”

“I’ll get back to you on that in the new year. Play hard and don’t let those fuckers win.”

“I’ll do my best. Thanks for calling me, bud. It means a lot.”

“Our friendship means a lot, remember that.”

“Say hi to Silas, and wish him the best for me.”

“Will do.”

When I end the call, my phone buzzes with a notification.

Finn: At the gym, should be done in half an hour.

Sel: Okay, thanks. Call you this evening? A few more things to talk about.

Finn: Name the time

Sel: Seven?

Finn: talk to you then

Finn adds a wolf emoji and a blue heart, making me smile. I stare at the screen and send him a kiss emoji. I don’t recognize myself or the dopey expression on my face.

Shake off your daydream, Kirkland, it’s time to get back to business.

Putting my phone back in my bedroom, I grab the basket of laundry, dirty sheets first. Then I down another coffee, clean up the pans in the sink, and throw in another load of wash.

After all the household stuff is done, I grab a yoga mat from my bedroom closet and sit in front of the window to meditate. It’s something my brother Karson encourages, but I’m not sure I’ve got the hang of it yet. Me sitting still? Nope, not my normal. My brain quiet and calm? No to that too. I do what I can for twenty minutes, but I’m still edgy and I know what I need. Finn should be done at the gym by now, so it’s time to try my usual way to blow off stress.

The usual, not my favorite.

After changing into my workout gear and grabbing my water bottle, I hop onto the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor. For a condo gym this place is huge, and I spot a couple of residents I don’t recognize. No sign of Finn. Good. Sort of. Okay, I’m disappointed and relieved in the same breath. I start on the treadmill with a light run, then move to mobility work. Then come box jumps and lateral bounds, followed by squats, lunges, and planks. By the time I reach the end of my routine, I’ve got a good sweat going, and I gulp down half my water. I’m better, but still unsettled. No amount of preparation will make facing tomorrow any easier, but I’m trying.

Slipping on my headphones, I blast the music as loud as I can to tune out the swirling thoughts in my head. On my way out of the gym, I pass people in the hallway and in the elevator, but I keep to myself, not offering a nod or even a look.

Back at my place, I shower, heat up one of my high-protein, high-carb meals and eat while watching Chicago’s most recent game. Yep, I recorded it so I could study how they’re playing this season. Philadelphia outscored them, and it’s clear that Chicago’s defense isn’t doing its job. I should be gloating but instead, I feel nothing but sadness. I watch and rewatch my old teammates, and it’s weird. My gut’s churning—should have waited to eat until afterwards—but I force myself to study them and I make notes as I go along. This is what players do before facing any team, but this one I have special insight on. Maybe I can use that as an excuse to contact Range?

Searching my phone, I tap his number. He replies on the first ring.