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Without a second thought, I grab the phone, dialing Coach's number and ignoring the fact that it's barely six a.m.
He picks up after two rings and lets a slew of expletives fly. I wait for the barrage to stop before getting a word in.
"Coach, I need you to hear me out. I wouldn't call you at the ass-crack of dawn unless I was serious. And seriously..." I pause, Gabi's note still in my hand, "I think I have the answer to us pulling out some wins against Seattle. Might make you hate me, but since you already do...what do you say? Want to let me surprise you with a little something?"
The line goes quiet for a moment before I hear the sound of Coach's raspy voice on the other end.
"I'll call you back in thirty minutes," he grumbles before hanging up.
It's a small win in a trail of losses, but it's something. Right now, that little bit of something is more than the nothingness that comes with knowing I've lost my best friend...and the love of my life.
Chapter 26
Gabi
Ipull the soft, pastel fabrics from the rack, envisioning how they'll drape over my body once the baby arrives. Each piece I consider feels like a small step towards reclaiming a version of myself that I’ve tucked away since the moment I got pregnant, but more importantly...
Since the moment I accepted this job with the Blades. Since the moment I started that fake engagement with Jacob.
Since the moment I let him into my heart, my bed.
Shopping used to be a fun, relaxing activity for me. Now it feels like another task to add to my never-ending list of responsibilities and secrets.
I sigh as I realize that my growing bump won't fit into the slim dresses and tailored suits I used to wear for work. The worry that I'll never be the woman I once was creeps in, and I fight back tears.
But then I remember the reason for all of this.
The tiny life growing inside of me—a constant reminder that no matter what happens with Jacob or my brother or my job, there is something more important at stake.
I take a deep breath and continue sorting through the clothes, determined to find pieces that will fit my new body when my phone buzzes, jolting me back into reality.
My intern's name flashes across my screen.
I close my eyes, praying for strength before answering what I know will be another crisis that the twenty-two-year-old can't handle.
"Hello?"
"Miss De Luca?"
"Yes, Sophie."
“Hi, I’m so sorry to bother you again, but I think I messed up the press release for the charity event. I… um, I still can’t figure out the printer. And I, uh, sent the wrong version to the team."
The words rush out, each tumbling out over one another like they’re racing against time. I can almost picture her chewing on her lip, the way she does when she's nervous, which, since I met her, has been all the time.
"Take a deep breath, Sophie. We’ll sort this out. Just send me what you have, and I’ll handle it."
"Oh, and I sent out the statement about you and Mr. Walker, refuting the fake engagement claims. Was that okay?"
"It's fine, Sophie. Thank you for handling it."
"Okay, great! By the way, I talked to Evan Daniels again..."
"Uh oh. What now? Did the goalie mention anything about having to engage in mind-numbing interviews again?" I shake my head, grateful for the brief distraction from my own thoughts.
"No, but he did have a few words to speak up on behalf of you and Mr. Walker."
I stop. "He did?"
