"We'll be in touch," they say.
I hang up.
And wait.
Two days later, my phone rings with an unknown number From a New York area code.
Butterflies in my stomach take off. "Hello?"
"Hi, Joelle, this is Marcus Rogers from the Manhattan Mavericks. We'd like to offer you the position."
My heart stops. "Really?"
"Really. Pierre and Felix spoke very highly of you. And your interview was excellent. We think you'd be a great fit."
I can't breathe. "When would you need me to start?"
"As soon as possible. But we understand you'd have to give notice to your club and sort out your life in London. We'd also need to wait for work visa approvals. It all depends on whether you're willing to accept the job or not."
"Yes. I accept." I hear myself say it without thinking. Shit. My heart is racing, this is truly happening.
"Excellent. Can't wait for you to join the team. I'll send over the contract for you to sign, and one of the HR team will be in touch. Welcome to the Mavericks, Joelle."
"Thank you. Just one more thing," I say to Marcus.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Please don't treat me any differently because of my brothers."
Marcus bursts out laughing. "You didn't get the job because of them. I want to make that clear. They also made it very clear they were not pressuring the team either. You were the best person for the job. Were your brothers great advocates? Yes. But honestly, your stats with your current club are impressive. We did our research. Believe me, even more so because of who your brothers are. I would say we over-scrutinized you compared to other candidates. Your brothers were more of a con than a pro for you."
Wow, I wasn't expecting him to be so honest, but I appreciate it.
"Thank you."
"Not a problem. Welcome to the team, Joelle. I look forward to working with you."
And with that, I hang up and stare at my phone. Holy shit. I'm moving to New York.
I call Collette. "I got it."
She screams. I scream. There's lots of screaming.
"Told you, you would."
"Thank you," I tell her.
"I'm so excited. The boys are going to lose their minds."
"I can't believe this is real. I'm moving back to the East Coast."
"You are going to love New York. The shopping is amazing. Not that you're a big shopper, but maybe you will be when you get here. And the nightlife. The men." She chuckles.
"Dating is the lowest priority right now."
"Yeah, yeah." She chuckles.
"I'm so excited. Sad that I'm leaving London, Polly and the girls. But I’m excited to be close to you guys."
