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“Maybe this isn’t your time, and that’s okay. But what if it is?”

What if it is?

“I’ll send you all the details, then leave it up to you,” he says, trying not to push me too hard. “For the record, though, I think you’d be an asset to the league.”

Sylvie returns to fill up our barely touched coffee, and our conversation changes to our upcoming week and the Vipers’ next exhibition games.

As always, the food is amazing, and we leave with full bellies and smiles on our faces.

As we step into the late morning sun, my cell starts ringing.

Dad goes ahead and climbs into the car. I pull it free, finding Parker’s face smiling at me.

“Hey,” I say, lowering my ass to a bench.

I don’t dare get in the car for fear of what will fall from my best friend’s lips.

“How are you feeling?” Parker asks.

“Good. Just been for breakfast with Dad.”

“I was referring to last night. I’ve been worried about you,” she confesses.

“It’s fine. I…I just need to put it behind me and move forward.”

“But what if?—”

“Dad just told me about a coaching position for a girls’ team,” I blurt.

“Oh shit, for real?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve got to apply,” she encourages, just like Dad did.

“They’ll want experience and?—”

“You’ve got experience, Case. You did that summer camp, remember?”

“I just helped out. I wasn’t a coach.”

“You have to do it,” she says again, ignoring the roadblocks I put in place. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

I squeeze my eyes closed.

She’s right.

Not knowing will be far worse than being turned down. Wondering what if would haunt me.

“Promise me that you’ll apply,” she begs.

I nod despite the fact she can’t see me.

“Casey,” she warns. “Apply, or I’ll do it for you.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Good. Perfect. I’ve booked us mani-pedis and an ice bath for this afternoon.”