“I can say that you need rest in between games and that I’veadvised you to limit social time. It’s flimsy, though.”
“So, what exactly is the format?”
It’s a round robin with three games total. Friday afternoon, then two on Saturday.”
“And then?”
“The top two teams go to the final on Sunday. Which obviously will have the most attention.”
Every possible pair of eyes.
“It’s possible you won’t make it through. You’re seeded fourth out of the four teams competing.”
I glance at her.
“Not that I’m hoping the Giants lose,” she adds quickly.
“Of course not.”
“But if the team travels back early…”
“It would be safer for me.”
“Yes.”
She’s right. The longer the tournament lasts, the harder the secret becomes to maintain.
I look back out at the road.
The arena is getting closer now, its glass exterior catching the weak sunlight.
“Well,” she says lightly, “no turning back now.”
I smile despite myself. “Nope.”
She gives me a quick sideways glance.
“You ready?”
I think about the last month.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I think I am.”
Tara checks us in at a separate entrance and we get the lift up together.
The hotel room is much nicer than I expected.
I’m expecting something small and functional - one of thosestandard team rooms with twin beds and barely enough space to open a suitcase.
Instead, the door swings open onto a quiet, softly lit room with a wide window overlooking the city. A proper bed and even a small couch. The kind of place you could relax in.
I drop my bag on the chair and take a slow look around. “Wow.”
Tara smiles from the doorway.
“Perks of traveling with medical staff.”
“This is amazing.”
