Tyson gives me a look “You know, you could also use SnapChat to communicate with your new lady friend. Send some risqué snaps.” He waggles his brows.
I inhale deeply through my nose and try to hide my grin as I redownload SnapChat and log in. I go through the suggested friends and find Elle’s username and add it. I get confirmation that she accepted it almost immediately.I guess her kids are at recess or something. I’m about to put my phone in my pocket when I get the notification that Ellie snapped me. I swipe to view it and am met with a photo of her in her classroom wearing an old Wolves jersey.
She’s smiling in the snap, her hair is in a claw clip, she’s wearing Wolves logo earrings to match her jersey, and behind her is a stack of what appears to be pictures of people made from fallen leaves.
“You look irritated.” Tyson says as he peers over my shoulder, “Oh, I see why now. You’re jealous.”
“I am not; Ellie can wear whatever jersey she wants.” I say schooling my face into one of nonchalance. Even if it’s fucking Garcia’s. Don’t get me wrong, he was a phenomenal player, but he’s also the announcer for our games and his voice is like nails on a chalk board to me.
“You’re wishing it was yours.” Tyson smirks. “Send her one.”
I think about it for all of two seconds. “How quick do you think Jason can get a delivery to her school?”
After arranging the delivery with my assistant Jason. I finally make it to my appointment. The appointment is a good one, the past couple of sessions have had me spilling my guts to her, resulting in Dr. Mondary suggesting I try some different techniques to help deal with stress. She also reiterates at the end of every session that if Kirk Williams shoves his stupid recorder in my face again asking about my personal life, she wouldn’t blame me if I broke it. I know she’s joking because legally she can’t condone violence, but I thinkdeep down she’s serious.
I walk out of Dr. Mondary’s office feeling rejuvenated. The Wolves hired Dr. Mondary straight out of her residency after her predecessor, Dr. Turner recommended her when he announced his retirement. She’s been phenomenal and I don’t think I would have made it out of my rookie year without her.
My rookie year was insanely stressful, not only for me but my family as well. I had just moved to the city; my family was ten hours away in my hometown. My brother had just had his accident and needed almost full-time care.
I felt so guilty that I was playing a game for a living while my brother was needing around the clock care.
My brother Lucas got drunk and flipped a four-wheeler, by the grace of God he didn’t sustain any lasting injuries, but he had temporary paralysis of his legs due to bruising on his spinal cord.
That was another chapter of my life that Kirk Williams tried to dig into as well. Every time I went out for drinks with the team, and he got a whiff of it, he would post some story about how I was just as reckless as my brother. Luckily his obsession with my brother and I only lasted until the next big story came along. Still, it was incredibly stressful, and Dr. Mondary helped me through it.
Which reminds me, I should call my brother and see how he is doing. We haven’t spoken much lately, which I could blame on my schedule but in reality, we had a pretty big blow up fight after Cassie and I broke up. I was just being an ass because I was hurt and I took it out on him; I need to apologize.
I check the time on my phone, I have time and I think it’s his lunch break. Taking a deep breath, I pull up his contact and press call.
Chapter 8
Elle
“Miss Taylor to the office please.”
I wince as I hear my kids collectively “oooooo”. I shoot my aide a look and she responds with a head nod indicating I make my way to the office. Paraprofessionals do not get paid enough for the work that they do. I would not survive without my Miss Julie.
As I approach Stacy’s desk I see a gorgeous arrangement of orange tulips and a package wrapped in shiny gray wrapping paper with a matching bow. “These are pretty, are they yours?”
“Nope, both are for you.” Stacy replies.
“What is this for?” My birthday is in the summer, so I know that it’s not for that. Orange is not my favorite color, so I know they’re not from my mom or Sadie.
Stacy chuckles, “Why do you think I called you up here? I am just as curious as you are.”
I scan the package looking for a card. There isn’t one on the outside, so I open the box to find a card sitting on top of tissue paper.
Ellie,
I noticed that you were in need of a new jersey. Hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty of picking you out a new one.
Archer PS- I thought you had better taste than that. Garcia?
Really?
I open the box to find the latest Wolves jersey, orange shoulders, gray lettering with a white torso. Fighting and failing to suppress my smile; I flip the jersey to inspect the back, not at all surprised to see Archer’s last name emblazoned across the shoulders along with his number 14 in the Wolves’ signature gray.
I feel my cheeks heating up. This is a little possessive, but I’m also incredibly pleased he wants me wearing his jersey. “The flowers were a nice touch.” I say to myself more than anyone. It softens the whole caveman attitude of the situation.
