Page 7 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

This is the third game in a row I’ve played like shit—the weight of the entire team on my shoulders—and tonight the realization I may not be strong enough to carry it hits me square between the eyes.

I don’t deserve distraction tonight.

I deserve to be miserable.

I need to be home.

Soak in the hot tub.

Sleep it off.

If I can’t figure out how to get my act together soon, I’m not only letting the team down—I’m letting myself down, too.

No sooner am I throwing my bag down in the front entry of my penthouse than my phone buzzes in my pocket. I don’t have to look to know who it is. Only one other person besides my teammates would bug me.

Nova.

My twin sister has a sixth sense when it comes to me being in a funky mood. Like clockwork, she knows the exact moment I step through my front door.

Nova: Hey loser. How you holding up?

I sigh, regretting I haven’t muted her notifications by now.

Me: Define ‘holding up.’

The response is almost instant, as if she’s been waiting with her thumbs poised over the keyboard.

Nova: Yikes. That bad?

I don’t reply straight away. Instead, I toss my car keys on the counter, grab a water from the fridge, and let the cool condensation roll over my palm as I lean against the counter.

I flex the hand that has been stuffed in my goalie glove for the past few hours.

Nova: Wanna talk about it?

I smirk humorlessly at the screen. Nova always wants to talk about it—as if me spilling my guts is the answer to all my problems.

Talking.

Ha. Good luck.

Me: Not really.

I take a long drink of water, anticipating her next message.

Nova: Too bad. I’m coming over.

I almost spit out the water.

Me: NO. Don’t.

Nova: I’m already in the elevator.

Of course she is. Why do I bother anymore?

I groan, glancing toward the door as if I can will her to stay in the elevator and take it back down to her floor. Pfft. No chance of happening. Nova isn’t persistent—she’s relentless.

Have I mentioned my sister lives in the same building? In a swanky little apartment I purchased several floors below mine. It’s not the penthouse—thatis all mine—but it’s too big for a petite girl like her, with panoramic windows and a skyline view.