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“I’m sorry. You’ve had such a shit week, and I felt like this would be piling on…”

I really have.

And this isn’t helping.

But it’s not Maya’s fault. She has no control over who the powers that be hire for the show.

“I wish it was literally anyone else,” I admit, “but you’re not the boss of Dusty Peaks.”

“I know I should have said something, but she came waltzing into my office when she arrived like she owned the place. I honestly didn’t know what to say.”

“That sounds like Shandy.”

“Jake is here too.”

“He have a part?” I ask guardedly.

“Nope. He’s just keeping her company.”

“Do they…know about us?”

“I haven’t said anything, and I told Serena, Allora, and Lacy to keep it to themselves. Hopefully, she’ll be gone soon, but she’s going to be on three episodes and supposedly is going to shoot them all while she’s in town. I don’t know how long that’s going to take.”

“I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me.”

“Oh, God, you don’t have anything to apologize for. I just needed to⁠—”

“Hey, Newman, you gonna eat or what?” Assistant Coach Derek Quinn gives me a pointed look. This is supposed to be a group thing. It’s not heavily enforced, but after the last few losses, they want us focused. Not out in the hallway talking to our girlfriends.

And the last thing I want to think about now is Shandy.

“Babe, I’m sorry—I have to go,” I say quickly. “Really, don’t give this another thought. We can talk about it when I get back.”

“All right.” She’s quiet, but I don’t have time right now.

“I’ll call you later?”

“Play well,” she says softly. “Don’t get hurt.”

“I’ll do my best.”

That’s how we sign off most days.

Part of me hates it, like she’s jinxing me, but I understand the fear. The sentiment.

If I would just get over my fears and tell her I love her, we could end our calls on a much sweeter note.

Soon.

I’m going to say it soon.

There’s no reason not to.

* * *

We usually have a day off when we get back from a road trip, but Coach called a mandatory practice for tomorrow morning, which means I’m not going to have much time to see Maya.

Instead of heading home from the airport, West and I drive to the set. He knows Serena’s working late so he can say hello to her, and I can ride home with Maya whenever she’s done. Even if she’s working, at least we’ll have a little time together.