Page 60 of Scoring Chance

He waved me off and I took the opportunity to get out of his office before he changed his mind.

I walked back through the halls and debated talking to Nikolay again. He might know what was going on with her, but I didn’t want to drag him into this unless absolutely necessary. I knew Madi or Elena would have information, but once I crossed that line the whole Pride would be alerted. No thanks.

By the time I got in my car, my mind was made up. I called her and waited as it rang. I was preparing to leave another message when her voice surprised me.

“Hi Derrek.”

I shook off my shock. “Amelia. Hi. Wow. I didn’t think you would answer.”

“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “Things have been so crazy lately. I feel like half the time I don’t even know where I am.”

That threw me off. She was usually either at the clinic or the Cougar’s arena. “What’s been going on?”

“Oh. Nikolay didn’t tell you?”

My stomach was knotted with uncertainty. “No, he hasn’t mentioned anything. Why?”

There was a long pause, and I could hear people talking in the background. All men. I figured if she was busy, she wouldn’t have answered but now I felt like I needed to apologize for bugging her.

“Sorry about that. The Cougars offered me a position.”

I shook my head, not understanding. “You mean, for the home games?”

“No, well yes, but more.”

I felt like there was suddenly a million miles between us. Why did it feel so strained to talk to her? “What do you mean?”

“They offered me a full-time position with the team. I’m leading all recoveries and monitoring workouts on top of being there for the games.”

So, she was a full trainer now. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.” She sounded tired. “The traveling is rough, but I’m getting used to it.”

“Wait, you’re traveling with the team?”

“Yeah. It’s crazy, right?”

Crazy was one word for it. Why didn’t she tell me any of this?

“How long has this been going on?”

She blew out a breath. “Two weeks now. Wow it feels like so much longer.”

So at least I knew why she had disappeared on me. I ran my hand through my hair. This was so much to take in.

“Are you still working at the clinic?”

“No. I wanted to, but Madi said I would be too busy and she was right.”

Everything in her life had changed, and she hadn’t told me? A dozen emotions washed over me. Doubt, confusion, frustration, even pain.

“Wow. I can’t believe it. Congratulations, Amelia.”

“Thanks.” I could hear the smile in her voice, and it was the only thing that made this conversation worth it. At least I could tell she was happy. “I miss you.”

The words fell out before I could stop them.

“I miss you too, Derrek. I feel like all I've done is eat, sleep, and work nonstop. I don’t even know what day it is most of the time.”