Page 161 of Double Fault

I give her the rundown about the job opportunity and about Noah’s concern that if I don’t live for myself, I’ll one day regret it. “I love that he doesn’t want me to blindly follow him around. That he wants me to find my own path. But I feel like I’ve changed so much, and while I still want to teach, I’m questioning if this is how I want to do it.”

“Do you have an in-person meeting scheduled?”

“Friday.”

She picks up her mug and takes a sip, her eyes closing. “I needed that.” Wrapping her fingers fully around the cup, she says, “So see what happens. Nothing is stopping you from getting on a plane back to him, but you owe it to yourself to be sure of your decision, and it seems like Noah knows that.”

“Do you think I’m crazy?” I ask her. “This should be a no-brainer, right?”

Laughing, she settles on the stool beside me. “I’ve learned that being an adult means being perpetually confused about each and every decision you make.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” Her lips quirk up on one side. “It sounds like Noah wants you to be certain of what you want in the future. If it isn’t a traditional teaching position, then that’s okay. It’s okay to change paths, Sabrina. Dreams can change.”

“Yeah.” I let out a long sigh, slumping against the island. “You’re right. Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Any time.” Patting my arm, she slides off the stool. “I have to get back to work, but you know where to find me.”

I watch her go, replaying her words.

Dreams can change.

But have mine?

CHAPTER 40

NOAH

With a huff,Fisher wipes at his brow. “If you keep playing like this, you can kiss even a bronze medal goodbye.”

Growling, I throw my racket at the fence, causing the chain-link to rattle.

“Temper,” Fisher growls.

“I’m frustrated,” I snap back.

“Then channel that frustration into your fucking game and stop playing like you’ve never picked up a fucking racket before, you pathetic piece of shit.”

I grumble under my breath and grab a new racket from my bag. This fucker is getting on my last goddamn nerve.

“Let’s go,” I tell him.

We’ve been out here for hours, but I’m not ready to call it a day. I don’t want to blame my poor game on Sabrina’s departure—after all, I’m the one who encouraged her to go—but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried that she might be my good luck charm.

“Thirty more minutes and then I’m calling it,” he warns.

No matter how much I try, I can’t find my groove. My serves are wobbly, my sprints are pathetically slow, and my reaction time isn’t there.

When Fisher abandons the court, he’s shaking his head.

I join him on the sideline and pick up a bottle of water. “I’ll get it together.”

“You better,” he says. “You’re going to be pissed if you lose the chance at a medal because you miss a girl.”

“You know she’s more than that,” I snarl.

His eyes soften. “I know, but it’s no excuse to get lost in your head.Youtold her to go. Deal with the consequences of your own actions and stop dragging the rest of us down with you.”

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