Page 88 of Rumor Has It

Coach Jameson sighed heavily, interrupting them. “What part of “we don’t need or want specifics” did you not understand? If you’re going to be hounded by media, can you at least get better at not handing them information on a silver platter?”

“Don’t mind him, ladies. He’s just mad he owes me forty bucks,” Coach T said.

Wren frowned. “Why does he owe you forty bucks?”

Coach T laughed. “Because I bet him after tryouts that if we carried out my travel buddy punishment idea, the two of you would fall in love.”

“I thought the two of you getting into a fistfight with each other was more likely,” Coach Jameson shrugged.

Rebecca bit back a laugh. “You know what. I would have put my money on your theory, too.”

“I actually thought it might happen at one point,” Coach Jameson said. “Especially after your first PWSL game against each other.”

Wren bit her bottom lip. She was not going to laugh, and she was not going to have to awkwardly explain herself. “It was a close call,” she managed.

“Right,” Coach T said. “So, you’ll spend the first part of practice filling out paperwork and watching videos on how not to make the workplace toxic. And then you’ll spend the second part of practice running laps for being late.” She smiled a sadistic little smile.

Wren sighed. At least they didn’t have to run the bleachers this time.

“Anything else we should know before it lands on my desk?” Coach Jameson asked.

Wren shook her head. “No, sir. I think you’re all caught up.”

“Great. Congratulations. Don’t break up until the end of the season. I’m not reassigning you roommates for this,” he said, already turning his attention to the next thing.

“Got it,” Wren said.

“I don’t think we have anything to worry about on that front, sir,” Rebecca added.

When they were all set up in a side office that probably belonged to one of the trainers, Rebecca finally cracked up. “That could have been so much worse.”

Wren breathed a sigh of relief. “Seriously. I think I’m in shock.”

“I can’t believe they know.”

“Right?” Wren asked. “It feels like… I don’t even know. Like we’re finally free?” She let out a little laugh.

“Well, Wrendy, what do you want to do with your new-found freedom?” Rebecca teased.

Wren shrugged. “I don’t know. I think maybe see if my girlfriend wants to go on a date tonight and just not worry about what rumors it might spark.”

Rebecca grinned at her. “I think she’d say yes if you asked.”

“Hang on,” Wren said, pointing at the paperwork. “I have to read these before I know if I’m allowed to kiss you here or not.”

“Fine,” Rebecca said, rolling her eyes.

“Are you busy later, though?” Wren asked, grinning at her. “Rumor has it, you’ve got a girlfriend who wants to take you on a date.”

EPILOGUE

BECKY

Becky pulled her phone out of her back pocket and snapped a photo of her jersey hung up next to Wren’s. The back of Wren’s now read: W. Eames; and the back of Becky’s now read: R. Eames.

She’d already snapped a picture just like this the week before of their club jerseys. After three seasons of playing separately and having to spend most of the year apart, Riptide was finally able to acquire Becky in a trade. Not long after, Wren proposed.

It had been a perfect moment. Quiet, private, just the two of them on the beach watching the sunset. They’d taken a day trip up the California coast and were on a little beach just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Becky was snuggled into Wren’s side watching Wren more than she was watching the sinking sun.