Page 41 of Five Things I See in You

“I’m glad you came,” she whispers, trailing her fingertips over my breasts.

I kiss her.

There’ll be time to talk about the folder.

Chapter 25

Noa

For six days after the final, the photo of our kiss is everywhere, but fortunately, nobody identifies Jordan. Everyone in the locker room knows, of course. Iris has made sure there’s no room for doubt, even though they all knew already.

“Man, Brit, I want another one like this next year,” she tells me at the end-of-season lunch, showing me the photo on her phone. “But warn me first. Oh man, I look awful in the background of this one. Look. My hair’s all stuck to my forehead.”

With the season over, we enjoy a few days without a schedule. I don’t have to get up for practice or go to bed thinking about the next game. Jordan still has work, but on her mornings off, she stays in bed with me until one of us gets hungry. Usually me.

For the first time since I arrived in Seattle, I have time to do nothing, and I don’t feel guilty about it.

The only thing worrying me is Jordan herself. She checks her phone too often, as if she’s waiting for a message that never comes. Whenever I ask, she says it’s nothing. I’m getting tired of that answer.

The league awards gala is a week after the final.

I’m named league MVP. Iris pretends to be annoyed, but we all know she’s happy for me. She’s won the Golden Boot again. I’ve lost count of how many years in a row that makes.

Onstage, I thank my teammates, Hades, and Dr. Osei. Then I find Jordan in the crowd.

“And the woman who’s made me happy since I arrived in this city,” I add with a goofy smile.

She blushes and lowers her eyes. I don’t say her name, but I don’t think I need to.

***

My phone wakes me the next morning.

There are messages from Callum, Iris, people I haven’t spoken to in months. I open my brother’s first. All he’s written is “Call me,” with a news article attached.

The photo of Jordan and me is at the top. Below it are her name, her former position with the Emeralds, and something about a State Board of Psychology investigation into an allegedly inappropriate relationship with a player.

An investigation that’s been going on for months.

One I knew nothing about.

I read the article several times before sitting up in bed. I still can’t believe it.

Jordan is awake beside me, her phone in her hands. From her expression, I know she’s seen it too.

“What the fuck is this?” I ask, though it comes out almost as a growl.

She puts her phone on the nightstand.

“There’s an investigation.”

“Yeah, I read that part. For months?”

She takes a while to answer, and I feel my breath getting shorter.

“The first letter arrived just before Mireya’s wedding.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”