Page 15 of Fast Break


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Mattwas the one who was there topickup my pieces in the aftermath of walking in on Angela and Peter. In one horrifying minute, just months before graduating from college, I lost the girl I was ready to marry and my best friend since childhood. It wasMattwho drove down to the Eastern Shore to take me home. Helped me find a place to live while I finished off the term and made sure I graduated. For the past decade, I've done my best to avoid running into either of them. No small feat considering Pete's folks still lived next door tomine. It was one of the reasons I jumped at thechanceto move from the offices at the Annapolis stadium toBaltimore.

I flex my jaw. "There's nochanceofPalmerfuckingmy best friend, since I don't have one anymore. She's not like that, anyway.

"Besides,"I continue."Weren't you the one telling me I shouldn't let what happened define the rest of my life? That I shouldn't give up on someday finding the right woman? Well... I think I have."

Mattsighs."I don't want youhurtagain."

"I know. I appreciate it. But trust me, I know what I'm doing."

"I hope so, man. I sure hope so."

I'm too busy at work to look forPalmer. I spend most of the day in the office, cutting B-roll and creating evergreen content for our social media. I can't stop my thoughts from oscillating betweenPalmerand what my brother said. She's a beast in the goal, butPalmeris the sweetest person off thefield. She's also been betrayed by someone who was supposed to love her. I can't imagine she could or would do that to another person.

I'm focused on my screen and startle whenLibertysuddenly perches herself on my desk.

She laughs."Am I that scary?"

You can be. I give her a tight smile."Surprised me is all."

She crosses her legs, the hem of the suede skirt she wears riding up to reveal a smooth, pale thigh. I swivel in my chair andslideback a few inches to make sure there's no accidental touching.

I lean back."What can I do for you,Liberty?"

She smoothes the sides of her sleek auburn coiff."What's going on between you andPalmerYork?"

I fold my hands and rest them against mystomach."What do you mean?"

She scoffs."Oh, come on. The other night, you could barely keep yourtonguein your mouth. And since when are players ever invited to our happy hours?"

"Since I happened to see her. Why shouldn't we invite players or any of our other colleagues to our post-work happy hours?"I ignore her comment about mytonguebecause it's probably true. But it's none of her business.

"It just seems like an odd choice,"Libertysays drily, inspecting her dark crimson talons.

"What's an odd choice? Inviting a friend to hang out?"

"Deny all you want. You were trying to get her into bed, if you haven't already."She cocks her head and lower her voice."I'm just saying. You're a big guy, butPalmeris a big girl. I can't imagine you can do the things to her that you used to do to me.Pickme up and take me against the wall. That thing we did in the shower–"

"Enough,"I snap. I straighten in my chair and brush the hair off my face."Look,Liberty. I have apologized for hurting your feelings. Ihave done everything I can to try to make it up to you. You can hate me all you want; I can't stop you. You can forgive me, and we can move on. Or you don't, andImove on. Either way, I'm notplayingthisgamewith you anymore. If you'll excuse me, I have to finish this."

I gesture at the screens she's partially blocking. She draws in a breath and hops off the desk. I scoot back into place and put my hands on the mouse, ready to continue. ButLibertystill stands there.

"I don't hate you,"she says quietly."I wish I did."

She walks away before I can respond, stiff spined but graceful, and for the hundredth time I castigate myself for being a complete dick. I scrub a hand over my face and go back to work.

Nine

Palmer

Riding highon our first win of theseason,practicewent off without a hitch. We ran drills all morning, hitting all the fundamentals of scooping, cradling, and passing. I practiced clearing with Donovan, the goaliecoach, and Jackie, withTishaencouraging us and offering tips. After a shower and lunch, we watchedgamefilm in the meeting room and broke down the Stars' offensive and defensive plays. Our new offensive coordinator,CoachKayla, did an impressive job of pointing out the subtle flaws in the Philadelphia team's defense. Afterward, I approach her to tell her so.

"Thanks,"she says."I know it's nerdy to say this, but I honestly love poring overgamefilm and finding all the nuances, so we can exploit them and kick their asses."

Ilaugh."You're from Ohio?"

"Mm-hm."

"Did you play at Ohio State?"