Page 11 of Behind the Net

That’s not the problem.

“I have training,” I tell her. It’s not for an hour, but I’m not going to sit around the apartment, staring at her.

She’s already taking her jacket off. “No problem. I’ve got everything under control here. Need any groceries?”

I pull on my shoes and hesitate. I do need groceries.

At whatever my expression is, she nods. “I can get them. What do you like to eat?”

“Uh.” The dietician for the team has detailed meal plans for every player, but I don’t want to rely on Pippa more than I need to. “I don’t know. Stuff.”

She nods, smiling. “Great. I can totally get that.”

I pull the door open. I need to get out of here.

“Wait,” she says, handing me the cupcakes. “Take these with you. You can give them to the team or whatever.”

I give her a strange look. If I show up with cupcakes, I’ll never hear the end of it. Nevertheless, I take them. I can’t see that look of disappointment on her face again.

On the street outside, I open the container and shove one into my mouth. My eyes roll back in my head as the sugar hits my tongue, and I nearly moan in ecstasy.

It’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever tasted.

CHAPTER6

PIPPA

“I can’t believethe cupcakes worked,” Hazel says as we walk along the mountain path.

It’s been two weeks since I confronted Jamie, but between me taking care of Daisy and Hazel’s physio job and yoga classes, we’ve hardly seen each other. Today is our first chance to catch up.

Daisy sniffs something in the bushes before bounding ahead. We spent the morning doing recall training until Hazel and I felt confident letting her off the leash on a leash-optional trail in North Vancouver. As we ascended the trail into the mountains, the temperature dropped, but the sun is out, the forest is serene and peaceful, we have warm jackets on, and Daisy’s having the time of her life.

I think back to when I confronted Jamie. He looked like he was going to throw me out, or worse, call the team and ruin my chances for a future job.

But he didn’t. When I saidI deserve to be treated with respect, he almost looked… remorseful.

“I don’t think it was the cupcakes,” I muse.

I haven’t seen him since he left for practice that day because he’s been busy with training, and since the season started a few days ago, he’s been traveling. His apartment is like something out of a design magazine, and sometimes, as I gaze out the windows at the mountains, it feels like I’m staying in a vacation home, totally separate from my real life. The apartment is always filled with light, so this week, I bought a few plants to make it feel more personal.

The apartment is gorgeous, and yet it’s kind of lonely, just me and Daisy. I’ve never lived alone. In university, I always had at least four roommates, and then on Zach’s tours, there were always people around. There was always someone to chat and laugh with.

I need to make more friends in Vancouver. All my friends are in the music industry.

My stomach sinks. I need to make new friends because I’m done with music.

Something I said to Jamie has replayed in my head constantly since that conversation with him.I’ll do whatever it takes.

I cringe. “I accidentally insinuated I would sleep with him to keep my job.” Hazel squawks with laughter, and I groan. “I clarified right away. But still. Awkward.”

“Has he figured out you went to the same high school yet?” Hazel’s one year older than me, one year younger than him.

“Definitely not. Have you worked with him yet?”

“Nope.” She slides a glance to me. “Are you going to bring it up?”

“Hell, no. How awkward would that be? He’ll want to know why I didn’t say anything the first time I met him.”

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