Page 14 of Double Fault

I stiffen at the familiar voice, the one I’ve been trying to outrun.

Leave it to Noah Baker to try to ruin running for me.

Asshole.

“Yes?”

“Are you… did I catch you at a bad time?”

Why does he… oh, I’m out of breath.

“I’m on a run.”

“Oh.” He clears his throat. “I wanted to call you personally and tell you that the job is yours if you want it.”

I come to a stop and spin in a circle, searching for a camera poised to capture my reaction like I’m onPunk’d. “Why do I feel like you’re offering me the position under duress?”

“Because Fisher is sitting across from me, and he won’t leave until I make this phone call.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “At least you’re honest.”

“So,” he prompts, “what do you say?”

Nerves swirl in my belly. I want to say no based solely on the way he behaved this afternoon. But I’m not exactly in a position to turn down this job. Not when it pays even more than any teaching position I’ve applied for. Besides, the chance to travel to numerous countries and cities is enticing. And Maddie was a darling.

I’d be a fool to say no.

“Yes.”

He’s silent for so long I worry the call has dropped. Finally, surprised, he says, “Yes?”

“Yeah—but for the record, I’m doing it for Maddie, not you.”

He lets out a choked sound. “As you should. Fisher will send the contract and details over. He’ll also handle travel plans. We leave for Australia a few weeks from now.”

“All right. Great. Sounds good.”

I sound like a robot, but it’s the best I can do. It’s only now hitting me that before the end of the month, I’ll be in Australia. For the first time in my life, my feet won’t be on American soil.

I end the call, then stand on the side of the road with my hands on my hips.

“Holy shit,” I mutter.

I take off running again, going as fast as my feet will carry me, and burst into the house. Ripping my earbuds out, I shout, “I got the job!”

“What?” Lucy’s voice echoes from the family room.

I hurry that direction and find her on the couch with her legs curled beneath her and a book on the arm to one side like she just put it down.

“You got the job?”

“Yeah.” I put a hand to my forehead in disbelief. “Noah called me when I was on my run.”

Squealing, she hops up and throws her arms around me. “I’m so excited for you. This is going to be an amazing opportunity.”

Even as I grin at her, nerves skitter through me. Can Noah and I travel and spend so much time together without butting heads? It’s unlikely. But he’ll be busy with practices and tournaments. There’s a good chance I’ll only see him in passing, right?

Alyssa enters the room, having changed into a pair of leggings and a cropped hoodie. “What’s all this screaming about?”

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