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“It’s all thanks to Valentina. She’s my rock.”
“I always knew you two would be great together,” she says with a smile.
“Thanks.” I grab a cookie from the bag and take a bite. “So, what else have you been up to? How’s the podcast?”
“The podcast is doing great,” she says. “The downloads are through the roof, and we’re getting a lot of feedback from the listeners. A lot of people are supporting Alycia and Rebecca, and condemning Declan and Apex. It’s a whole movement. And since the last episode, other women have started emailing me. Not all of them are ready to talk yet.”
I put the cookie down. “I hope they get there. And I hope it gets every one of them justice.”
“I just wish the investigation would move faster. I hate that it’s taking so long for them to actually do something.”
“All good things take time,” I say. “Karma too.”
She smiles and I can tell she wants to tell me something, but then she looks at her watch and changes the subject. “I have to go. I’m meeting someone. I’m working on a new story, and I want to see if it has any merit to it.”
“Good luck,” I tell her, meaning it. “But I hope you won’t step away from the sidelines. We’re all obsessed with your postgame coverage.”
She smiles. “It’s what I love.”
She’s halfway out the door when she turns back. “If you see Mia, tell her my number still works.”
“Mia?”
“She’ll know.” And she’s gone.
Esme leaves. Training ended ten minutes ago.
I could call Valentina, but I know she’ll text me as soon as she’s in her car. Instead, I put on the TV and find something to watch. I’m not paying attention, but I need a distraction.
Half an hour later, I’m still watching when I hear the door open.
“Cariño, I’m home,” Valentina says.
I turn my head and see her walk into the living room, her hair messy, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling. And she’s not alone.
“Surprise!” the girls shout, holding a few take-out boxes from Amanecer.
I stare at them, shocked and confused. Most of the team is here. Millie, Aditi, Rene, Bernie, Daisy, Rebecca, Rosario, Aggie, and Mia. They’re all smiling.
“What is this?” I ask, reaching for my crutches to stand up.
“No, don’t get up,” Valentina says, walking over to me. “We brought you dinner.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, touched.
“Of course we did,” Rebecca says. “We missed you, and we wanted to cheer you up. You’re still our captain, even if you can’t play.”
“And we’re hungry,” Aggie adds, opening one of the boxes. “But that’s beside the point.”
I laugh. They’re so sweet. I miss them so much. I know it’s only been two weeks, but it feels like a lifetime.
“Thank you, guys,” I say. “This means a lot to me.”
Valentina sits next to me and kisses my cheek. “We’re all in this together, Lexa. We’re a team, remember?”
I nod and smile. “I remember.”
I pass on Esme’s message to Mia while the others are fighting over who gets the armchair. Her smile stays where it is, but it takes her a second too long to say okay.
