Page 1 of Courtside

CHAPTER1

A GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR

SAGE

Late summer 2016

Sage Fogerty should be unpacking.

The responsible thing would be to cook dinner, open a bottle of the peach wine that everyone told her tasted like garbage but that she loved anyway, and tackle the pile of boxes that sat in the middle of her new apartment.

But instead she walked down the sidewalk, the late-summer night still hot enough that it left her not quite sweating but not entirely comfortable either. Jeans probably hadn’t been the best choice, but they were the first thing she’d found rifling through her packed clothes. At least the white camisole she’d stolen from her older sister Brinley didn’t require a bra.

Sage loved Charleston at night — the lingering warmth from the day punctuated by the occasional breeze curling up from the water had captured her from the very first time she’d come to visit Brinley at Southeastern University. Brinley had fallen in love with South Carolina, undergoing — in their mother’s words — a “Southern belle awakening.” She’d joined a sorority, learned how to straighten her hair, wear eye cream, and perfectly color-match her foundation. It was jarring at first when Brinley had come home from college with a Vera Bradley bag and wearing a full face of makeup, but honestly, the transformation suited her.

Eight years later, when it was Sage’s turn to pick a college, she ended up following in her sister’s footsteps, leaving Santa Barbara, the only home she’d ever known, and catching a one-way flight across the country.

Now, after finishing four years of undergrad, Sage was back in Charleston to complete her fifth year master’s in Sports Management.

She was back, and very fucking alone. She could have tried to find new roommates, but the thought of living with strangers as a grad student was, quite frankly, nauseating.

She’d lucked out with her three roommates from freshman year, and it’d been easy for them to stick together. Danika was a soccer player, Mary had shared Sage’s love of Western romance novels, and Cori had been the life of the party. While they didn’t shareeverythingin common, they’d gotten along well enough that they’d lived together through all four years of undergrad.

Just that morning, Mary had texted their group chat a photo of herself wearing a felt cowboy hat. “Texas, y’all,” she’d said. Danika had responded with a picture of the Chicago skyline from her high-rise apartment’s balcony, and then Cori had almost immediately replied with a photo of textbooks piled high on a table next to a picturesque latte and croissant.

What was Sage supposed to respond with?Hey, here’s my apartment in the same city you all just moved away from?Instead she’d sent a picture of one of her spider plants that had just grown about five new runners all at the same time.Babies!she’d texted.

She checked her phone, finding no new messages. Straightening her shoulders, she looked up at the intentionally weathered wooden sign with dark letters spelling out: The Grove.

She and Cori had been to The Grovemany times over the years. It was one of their favorite spots, for multiple reasons. Firstly, it catered to young professionals, meaning the crowd was generally older and more into beer and live music than jello shots and DJs. Secondly, they had the best jalapeño margarita in Charleston. Spicy and sweet? Fucking transcendent. And thirdly, their food was greasy and delicious in the best way possible. While Sage tended to eat veggies when she cooked for herself, she was a big believer in variety and moderation.

She flashed her ID at the bouncer who stood by the tall fence that bordered the bar. A wrought-iron gate served as the entrance, and inside a large courtyard was filled with picnic tables under the shade of wide-reaching live oak trees. There was a small stage tucked into one corner of the space with a dance floor cleared out in front of it, and along the opposite side was a brightly polished wooden bar lined with tall bar stools.

It was already crowded, even though daylight was only just beginning to fade. Strings of Christmas lights draped from the branches lit up the space, and Sage had to duck under a few of the strands as she made her way over to the bar.

Sliding onto an open stool, she made eye contact with the bartender. She’d seen the purple-haired woman a few times, although if she remembered correctly, her hair had been black the last time she was there.

“What can I get ya?” The woman slapped a square napkin down on the bar and grinned at Sage, revealing slightly crooked front teeth.

“Jalapeño margarita, please,” Sage replied, raising her voice so she could be heard over the din of laughter and conversation.

Purple-hair gave her a nod as she began to assemble the drink. “Good choice. I like a woman who likes it spicy.”

Sage couldn’t help the snorted laugh, tossing her blonde hair back behind her shoulder. It had gotten long, down past the middle of her back, and if she didn’t spend most of the time with it braided or in a ponytail she would probably consider cutting it short. “What can I say? I like a little pain with my pleasure.”

The bartender let out a cackle that was loud, even with the background buzz. “I like you, blondie. You from ‘round here?”

Sage shook her head. “California. I’ve been here for school.”

“Ooooh, a smartie pants, are ya?” She wiggled heavily drawn brows. “What are you studyin’?”

“Sports management,” Sage said. “Oh, and no straw,” she added, stopping the woman before she grabbed one of the clear cocktail straws. Ever since she’d read about plastic straws being found up the noses of dead sea turtles, she swore them off. She had no idea if it was actually making a difference, but fuck it — she could try.

“I like you and I’ve decided that we’re gonna be friends.” The bartender set the drink down on the napkin before extending a hand. “I’m Maggie.”

Sage blinked once before reaching out and shaking her hand. “Sage.” She let go and reached for the drink. “Are you always like this?”

Maggie cackled again. She looked to be a few years older than Sage, maybe in her late 20’s, and she wore a black band tee with cut off sleeves and jean shorts.

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