“They pay my salary.”
“Amanda has connections on the management team.They’re covering for her.”
“You think?”This emerged with more sarcasm than Henry warranted.“Sorry.None of this is your fault.”
“What about your spot at the Black Ferns’ training camp?”
“Neither coach mentioned the trials.Amanda told me she was next on the list.A reserve to go to camp if someone drops out.I can ring the guy who called me.He told me to contact him if I had problems.At least that way, I’d know my fate.”
“God, Maia.I’m so sorry.I wish there were something I could do to help.”
Maia reached across the table for Henry’s hand.“You’re on my team, supporting me, and that’s the best.I’ll come back from this.”Somehow.If her team blacklisted her, other teams might refuse to hire her.
Either way, her dream had moved beyond her grasp.For this season, anyway.
Maia walked into the doctor’s room at twelve-thirty, and the visitation didn’t go as she’d imagined.
“We’re worried about your mental state,” he said, steepling his hands in front of his face.
“Pardon?”Maia said, unsure she’d heard correctly.
“High-performance sport is stressful.Not everyone makes the grade.”
Her mouth fell open, shock making her faintly nauseous.
“Are you sleeping?”
Maia met his gaze despite her horror.She had to take care, or she’d increase her troubles.Keep your temper.Answer calmly.“Yes, I sleep well.”
“Are you taking any drugs?Drinking more than usual?”
“No,” Maia said firmly.
The bastard.He was in league with management and wanted her off the team.Her contract was clear on this point.She was to conduct herself in a proper manner.
“We’ll do bloods.We can do them here,” the doctor said.
Maia knew her rights, thankful that she’d read the contract carefully.
“Please provide a list of acceptable labs.I’ll do it later this afternoon.”There was nothing in her system that shouldn’t be there.Gavin had assured her the drugs he’d given her were common painkillers.
“It would be a simple matter to do the tests now.”
“I have another appointment,” Maia said.“Sorry, but I thought this one would be the standard length.”
The doctor made a tutting sound, and Maia ground her teeth together.She should’ve let Henry come with her, but stupidly, she hadn’t thought she’d require a witness.
“The list,” she reminded him.
He grumbled but produced a list from his drawer.“We’ll need the tests today,” he said.“I want you to make an appointment to visit this doctor.”He handed her a card.
“A psychiatrist?”Astonished he would want this, she gawked at him.
“Yes, it’s a pity you have another appointment because I believe one of his patients has canceled.”
Alarm bells peeled loud and clear.“Is there a list of accepted psychiatrists, too?”she asked.
“I believe so, but this man is on the list and in the same building.”He smiled, a crocodile smile full of pretend charm and caring.
