I nod. "Terrified. You know what it's like. First day on the job. Everything is overwhelming."
She pours me coffee and hands it to me. "You're going to be amazing. Plus, you have me, Pierre, and Felix there, too. And ..."
"Don't you dare say it," I warn her, glaring over the top of my coffee mug.
"What? I was going to say you've met some of the team already." She smirks. That is not at all what she was going to say. "Everything is going to be okay. I'll walk in with you, but then I have to dash to a meeting. It won't be that scary. On my first day, I was so scared. The drama between Pierre and Kitty was still high. Pierre making me work with the team a non-negotiable in his contract really put some noses out. But eventually, after time, I won them over with my dazzling skills." I had no idea she had such a hard time. She never told me about it.
"Well, I'm glad I've got you. Thanks, Lettie."
"That's what sisters are for. Now go shower. You smell." I flip her off.
A while later, I'm dressed in black leggings, a fitted Mavericks polo that Collette brought home, hair in a sleek ponytail, minimal makeup, and a Mavericks fleece jacket. My work outfit is boring compared to Collette, who is dressed nicely, but we are doing two totally different jobs.
"Ready?" she asks.
"Yep." I nod.
We grab our bags and head out together. Again, my eyes are drawn to Emmett's apartment. I wonder if he is still sleeping.Has he already gone to training? Did he sleep at all after yesterday? Is he thinking about me?Stop.You are going to drive yourself insane. You're supposed to not be thinking about him. We take the elevator down, greet some of the people who get in, then step outside. Thankfully, the training facility is only a fifteen-minute walk from the apartment, which is going to suck in winter with all the snow.
"Let's go," Collette says brightly.
We briskly walk along the New York streets with everyone else going to work. The looming buildings overhead, the taxis honking, the sound of people talking, the street sellers, and people rushing to the subway. The hustle and bustle of a New York morning is not much different to my normal commute in London.
The training facility looms ahead.You've got this. We walk through the main entrance together, and I check in at the desk to get my badge from security. Collette talks to them like they are long-lost friends, chattering away.
"Good luck. I have to run. I have a meeting this morning," Collette says. "You've got this. And remember, if you need me, text me."
"I will. Thanks for walking me."
She hugs me, quickly and tightly, then heads toward the media wing.
I stand there, badge in hand, heart pounding. First day, time to prove I belong here. I follow the signs toward the medical wing, the smells of antiseptic and athletes filter through the halls. It's familiar, almost comforting, instantly putting me at ease. I round a corner and run into a man who looks familiar.
"You must be Joelle." A man in his fifties extends his hand. I take it and shake. Salt and pepper hair, kind eyes, athletic build, he looks like he used to play. "I'm Mike. Head physio. We spoke on the phone."
That's right. "Nice to meet you."
"I was just on my way to find you. Hoping you weren't about to get lost in the rabbit warren that it is." He smiles.
"I followed the signs."
"There you go. Not many do. So, you're off to a good start. Well, welcome to the Mavericks."
"Thank you. I'm excited to be here."
"Walk with me." He starts walking down the corridors. "Look, your brothers have nothing but great things to say about you."
"They are biased."
He chuckles. "Maybe. But your references aren't. You got high praise from a lot of people." His compliment starts to wash away my nerves.
We continue to chat as he walks me through the treatment rooms. All are equipped with massage tables. Ultrasound machines. Exercise equipment. He then shows me where supplies are kept. The ice machine. The tape dispensary.
"Two other physios work here. Sarah and David. Both are on their way in. On game day, we usually have a late start as we are here all night. You'll meet them soon." I nod, taking it all in, committing everything to memory. "Today's just about getting familiar," Mike says. "Game days are always busy. But since it's your first day with us, I want you to observe. Get a feel for how we operate. No pressure."
"Sounds good."
He hands me a tablet. "Player injury reports. Current issues. Things to watch for." I take it, and the screen lights up. A list of names pops up, including my brothers’.
