“Only one question per?—”
“It’s fine,” I tell the staffer. “It did, yes. It was motivating to be around the game when I couldn’t play myself.”
“It’s unusual for a contracted athlete to coach for another team. What role did?—”
“We really need to move on,” the moderator states, gesturing to another reporter.
“I have a related question actually,” the next reporter says. “Would you say coaching was the most inspiring part of your recovery?”
“It was motivating, as I said. But”—fuck it, I decide—“no, it was not the most inspiring part. What helped me most, through the uncertainty, was…love.”
The reporter frowns, clearly taken aback by the answer. “Love…of football?”
“I love football. I always will. It’s been the biggest part of my life for as long as I can remember. But in Boston, I fell in love—fellbackin love—with someone. She was certain I would make a full recovery, when I was worried my career was over, even though she has no medical training whatsoever.” I smile. “When my injury first happened, I was not sure what my life would looklike without football. Thanks to her, I know exactly what it would—will—look like.”
There’s a beat of pure silence, comical in the crowded room.
I clear my throat. I wasn’t planning on saying any of that. But having it out is a relief.
“Since I am sharing personal updates, I guess I’ll also announce that the upcoming season will be my final with FC Kluvberg. I’m…”
The rest of what I was intending to say gets lost in the din of the dozens of questions shouted my way.
49
CLAIRE
Coach Taylor looks up when I knock on her door.
“Do you have a minute?” I question tentatively.
“I do.” She reclines in her chair, elbows on the arms, as I take a seat. “I thought you might stop by.”
“You did?”
I spent the entire drive to the Siege’s practice facility deliberating how to word this. Debating how to broach the topic.
“I read the news, Caldwell, especially articles that mention former members of this organization. Otto Berger is a well-known name. He also spent most of his time in Boston traveling and working with this team. Not a giant leap to think he might have been referring to a member of it during his press conference. You were in Paris, with Saylor, and Berger played in those Games as well, so you could have met there.” She raises one eyebrow. “I’ve been reading some of your mother’s novels. How are my deductive skills?”
I manage a weak smile before launching into an apology. “I’m so sorry, Coach. I should have told you we had a preexisting relationship at the start of the season. I hadn’t seen him sinceParis, I didn’t know he was coming, and when he showed up, I—I didn’t think it would matter.”
“And now?”
“I’d like to talk to him in person. I can’t believe that he would…” I let my voice trail. “But there’s a good chance, if I go, I’d—we’d be seen together. He’s famous there, obviously. I don’t want to cause any problems for this club. Any more problems, that is.”
Coach Taylor points at the phone on her desk. “That has been ringing nonstop this morning. I finally had to disconnect the damn thing. Marc Meadows”—the head coach of Beacon FC—“is giddy. He wanted my opinion on how best to approach Berger’s agent. I understand wanting to keep your personal life private, and you’re entitled to now that he is no longer part of this organization, but I would have appreciated a heads-up on?—”
“I didn’t know,” I blurt, interrupting my head coach for the first time ever. “I hadno ideahe was going to do that press conference. That he’d decided to leave Kluvberg. That club is his home. His dream. I never thought he would even consider playing anywhere else.”
She studies me for a few seconds. Her sudden smile catches me off guard. “Well, that’s rather romantic.”
I scoff. “Or idiotic.”
Coach Taylor’s expression becomes even more amused. “You don’t feel the same way about him?”
“I-I do,” I say awkwardly. I’ve discussed personal matters with Coach Taylor before, when I’ve had to pick up Tommy or was running late because of Mom’s doctor appointments, but never my love life.
She nods like she already knew the answer. “It didn’t sound like an impulsive decision, Caldwell. Do what you need to do, and we’ll have a conversation when you get back.”
