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I glanced at the email I’d received from Carl Hill, smiling. It had taken him weeks to answer, but he finally had, and Jace would become the face of his company.
This was big, big news. Not only was Jace going to give his entire paycheck to the foundation, but Carl also had agreed to make a hefty donation himself and discuss with Paige the possibility of hiring some of the students.
I sent Jace a quick message to let him know.
It would take a while for him to reply, because the team was on a plane, returning from their away game, which also marked the end of the season. The Lords had finished at the very top and were now moving on to the playoffs for the MLS cup.
I also sent Andrew an email, explaining the outcome. I knew he’d take this in stride, because Andrew was a laid-back guy. Plus, I had secured some other excellent sponsorships for him.
Since I was on a roll, I also wrote to Levi. Honestly, it had also been the most difficult to find opportunities for him, what with his worsening stats. I hoped his agent was having better luck.
I went to make myself a coffee, needing some reinforcement for the afternoon.
Veronica and Sheila were at the machine too. They fell silent the second they saw me, which made me think they’d been talking about me.
“Hello, girls. Any espresso capsules left?”
“Think I saw a few,” Veronica said. She and Sheila went on to talk about some car problems Sheila was having.
“I know a really good mechanic,” I offered. “He’s a bit on the expensive side but does the job quickly.”
Sheila smirked. “Thanks, but I’ll stick with mine. Can’t afford an expensive one. Unlike some, I’m not dating rich soccer players.”
I pondered my next words as I took my full coffee cup from the machine.
“I don’t appreciate this attitude. You made your opinion clear, but this day-to-day hazing is beneath you, frankly. Let’s act like the grown-ups we are.”
They looked stunned, and I rolled my shoulders confidently. I wasn’t going to take anyone’s crap.
Everyone else in management had taken the news well, but I worked with these two daily. If things didn’t improve, I was going to have to do something about it; only I wasn’t sure what. I just didn’t want it to come to the point where I would dread coming to work.
As soon as the workday was over, I practically flew out of the office. I was meeting Franci at one of our favorite ice cream shops.
She was already ordering when I arrived. I bought a cone with pistachio and cookie flavors.
As we sat down at the round, old-fashioned tables, I tried to gauge her mood so I could tell if she needed cheering up, but Franci was looking better than she had in months.
“You have a new haircut,” I remarked, taking in her elegant bob.
“I’m reinventing myself. I have a date later on.”
I was shocked. I hadn’t expected her to take this step for another few months.
“Don’t look at me like that. Date is perhaps was the wrong word. I just need some action between the sheets. I’ve given up on anything else.”
“Who knows? Maybe it’ll develop into something more.”
She gave me a small smile.
“What?” I inquired.
“Well, just a few months ago, our roles were reversed. And look at you now.”
“You’re right.”
It wasn’t that I’d consciously chosen not to have expectations, but between the collapse of my sister’s marriage and my own mistakes, I’d been on the defensive.
“Am I wrong in believing a certain soccer god played a role in changing your mind?”
