“Hi,” I replied cautiously. “Wasn’t expecting to see you, to be honest. Gwen’s message was… vague.”
Ted chuckled. We’d only really spoken in passing during Tyler’s treatments, but he seemed decent. He had a warm personality that immediately put you at ease and judging by how long he’d stuck with Tyler, he also must have the patience of a saint—either that or he was heavily medicated. I glanced at the other man: mid-forties, slicked-back hair, clean shave, expensive suit. Professional looking and slightly intimidating.
“This is Alan Etheridge,” Ted said. “He’s a manager-slash-agent for a few of the guys, Tyler included.”
Alan stood to shake my hand with a firm grip and polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Orla.”
“You too,” I said, still completely in the dark. “I’m… not totally sure why I’m here.”
“Don’t worry,” Ted said quickly. “It’s nothing bad.”
Alan leaned forward. “Tyler’s injury. What’s your current assessment?”
Ah. That explained it.
“Well,” I said carefully, steadying myself. “I’m seeing him tomorrow morning for a follow-up. He’s certainly aggravated it, but I don’t think it’s serious. I’ve booked him an ultrasound to assess if there’s a tear, but I’d say it’s grade one at most. In the meantime, I’ve built a treatment plan but he needs someone working with him consistently if he’s going to recover properly and prevent aggravation.”
Alan nodded. “That’s exactly why you’re here.”
“Oh?”
Ted took over. “Tyler was a beast in that semi-final. Even with the hamstring, he held his own. He’s close,soclose, and we don’t want this to set him back.”
Alan folded his hands. “Sponsors have agreed to fund a full-time physio to join him on the U.S. tour.”
I blinked. My pulse stuttered.
“In fact,” Ted continued, “we’re putting together a small physio team for three players Alan manages. Three physios, one lead.”
Alan’s gaze held mine. “We want you to lead that team, Orla. Everyone here speaks highly of you. Tyler clearly trusts your work. And the salary will be supplementary to what you’re earning here. This can continue to be your base.”
Trust? God, I hadn’t realised how much I needed to hear that.
Heat crept up my neck. My grip on the file went clammy, like my palms had forgotten how to behave. Lead the team? U.S.tour? My heart hammered so loud I was half afraid they could hear it across the table. Then a thought occurred to me.
“Wait,” I managed. “Did Tyler… tell you to approach me?”
Ted grinned. “Actually, it was Gwen.”
Of course it was Gwen. Bloody Gwen.
“This is… big,” I breathed. “So I’d be working with Tyler?”
“Well you’d get to take on another two physios of your choosing but yes, he would be one of the three players,” Alan said smoothly.
My stomach dropped. That was going to complicate things.
“Okay. Well. I’m flattered. Thank you. Would it be alright if I took some time to think it over?”
“Of course,” Alan said. “But we’ll need a decision soon. We’ve got a tight timeline. Here’s my card, happy to talk through logistics if you’ve got questions. Travel, accommodation, insurance, all covered. This could be a career-changer, Orla.”
I took the card with unsteady fingers. “Thank you. I’ll let you know by tomorrow evening.”
I stood, left the room and closed the door gently behind me.
For a moment I just stood there, confusion still whirling in my mind. What had just happened?
A job offer. A tour. Him.
