I pull up my inbox, see the email, and scan it. The salary is almost double what I make now, and the benefits look incredible.
"Jo? You still there?" Collette asks.
I'd completely forgotten I was still on the phone with her.
"Yeah. I'm here."
"Look, I'm not trying to pressure you. But I miss you. We all do. After what happened with that promotion, maybe this is a sign for a fresh start."
Maybe it is. "Let me think about it. Tell the boys thank you for advocating for me."
"Of course. But don't take too long. They're interviewing candidates next week."
"I'll let you know."
"Good. Love you."
"Love you too."
I hang up. Holy shit. I stare at the job posting for Manhattan Mavericks. New York with my family, it’s a real opportunity. Is this nepotism though? No. You can do the job. And they wouldn't be hiring you just because your family says so. It would be on merit. I forward the email to Polly.
Moments later my bedroom door bursts open. "Do it." She squeals.
"You think?”
Polly nods enthusiastically. "Yes. I would miss you. But you would be with your family. Plus, I love New York. So, I could come over and visit you, and you could introduce me to hot hockey players."
"I don't want to get my hopes up. I probably wouldn't get it."
"Bullshit. You are brilliant at your job. They would kill to have you."
"My home is in London."
"You've made a home here. But you can make a home there, too. Unless you want to play mentor." She smirks, raising a brow at me. I glare at her, which makes her laugh. "That's your answer. Look, why don't you apply and see what happens? If nothing happens, then you stay in London. If they offer you the job, you move to New York."
"What about the apartment?" I ask her.
"I'll survive. Tate's lease ends in a couple of months. I could mention it to her."
I nod. I wouldn't want to leave Polly in the lurch. "It's going to suck if we live halfway across the world from each other."
"I know. But I wouldn't be a good friend if I tried to keep you here for selfish reasons." She pouts.
"You’d better come visit me if I get this job," I warn her.
"Of course. And you will always have a place to stay here."
"So, I'm doing this?" I ask her.
"Yes. Go. Send your resume and show them they would be stupid not to hire you," she says, walking out of my room.
She's right. I open my laptop, pull up the application, and start filling it out.
10
JOELLE
Three days later, I'm on a Zoom call with the Mavericks Director of Sports Medicine. I walk them through my experience, my protocols, my results. They ask about my approach to injury prevention, recovery, and player management. I answer every question, and by the end, they're smiling.
