"At least I got the New York job," I say.
"True. But still. What a dick move." Polly refills my glass.
"What are you going to do about the flat?" Tate asks.
"I don't know. I feel bad leaving Polly in the lurch."
Polly waves my concerns away. "You aren't at all. I hadn't had a chance to talk to you, Tate, about maybe moving in."
"Really? Oh my gosh, that would be awesome. My lease is up in two months, and I can't wait to get away from my roommate."
"That's what I thought," Polly adds.
"Sorry, is this weird?" Tate asks me.
I shake my head. "No. Not at all. I'm glad it's all working out. I'm relieved I'm not leaving Polly in the lurch."
"You're not," Polly reassures me again.
"What about your stuff?" Hazel asks.
"I've spent all day going through it. But I guess I'm going to have to ship it." I shrug.
"We'll help. Whatever you need," Polly says.
"Thanks, guys. I'm so stressed. I just don't know what to do," I confess.
"We've got you, babe," Tate states.
"More wine. That will solve everything," Hazel adds.
My phone rings, and I look down to see who it is. "It's my sister." I get up to answer it. "Hey."Please let it be good news.
"Okay. I talked to HR. And legal. And basically everyone." She sounds breathless. "We can expedite your visa through the US Embassy in London."
"Really?"
"Yes. The Mavericks have done this before for international players. There's a process. It's fast-tracked for professional athletes and essential staff."
"How fast?"
"They've booked you an appointment for tomorrow. You'll go in and submit your paperwork. They'll interview you. And if everything checks out, they'll stamp your passport on the spot."
"On the spot?"
"Yes. Then you can fly to New York this weekend. The boys will pay for it."
"I can buy my own ticket."
"They knew you'd say that. But they want to do this for you. If you fly this weekend, the boys aren't playing. So, they can help move you in and everything."
This Friday. Four days. "That's so soon." Panic sets in.
"I know. But your UK visa expires in a week. We need to move fast." She pauses. "Can you do it?"
I look around the flat. At Polly, Hazel, and Tate. At my life here. It’s been five years, and just like that, I'm leaving in four days.
"Yeah," I hear myself say. "I can do it."
