Page 15 of Match Penalty

Seven:Early practice. 5 a.m. Don't be late.

Chapter Four

Cammy

The rain drums softly against Serendipity's front window, but inside, the café hums with warmth and familiarity. The smell of cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed espresso drifts through the air, and our usual corner table is just as crowded with breakfast plates as it is with opinions.

“Everett is impossible!” Aria groans, dropping her head onto her arms. Her dark auburn hair falls forward like a curtain. “For the third time this week, he made it clear he doesn’t need two assistants. I’m just excess baggage leftover from Phil Carlton’s reign.”

“You’re not baggage,” Kendall says firmly, her coffee cup hovering just below her lips. “You’re probably the only thing keeping his life together, and he’ll figure that out soon enough.”

“Maybe once the stress of the transition settles,” Penelope adds with a small smile, though the sharpness in her voice makes it clear she’s making a mental note to step in if Everett doesn’t shape up soon. “You’re too good at what you do for him not to notice.”

Aria sighs but offers a faint smile. “Thanks. I just hate feeling like I’m waiting for the axe to drop,” then she turns to me. “Any chance you need help with the auction planning? I could use a distraction.”

I nudge her arm with my elbow lovingly. “No offense, but I think you’ve got enough on your plate without adding auction planning to it. You're always taking on too much. I’ve got it under control.”

Penelope’s gaze sharpens as she sets her cup down. “Speaking of juggling, how’s the auction coming along? Everett’s already asking about donor lists. Oh, and maybe take JP up on his offer to help. He seemed... eager.”

The name hits like a slap, but I force my expression to stay neutral. “It’s fine. I’m keeping it professional.”

“JP?” Kendall perks up, her brows shooting skyward. “Jon Paul Dumont? Our new goalie?”

Penelope smirks knowingly. “The one who couldn’t stop staring at Cammy when he came by for his apartment key.”

Heat rises to my face. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Kendall asks, leaning forward.

I swirl my coffee cup, trying to distract myself from the women staring at me. “It’s a long story, and it’s not worth telling, I promise.”

"We've got time. My first appointment this morning is with Aleksi, but not until after morning skate, so I’m wide open," Kendall gleams, settling back into her chair, clutching her hot black coffee.

"And wine later if needed," Aria adds, momentarily distracted from her own drama.

I sigh, knowing they won’t let it go. “Remember how I went to San Diego for the last playoff game before the championship two seasons ago?”

They nod.

“Well… I might’ve run into JP after the game. And I might’ve ended up at Cooper’s afterparty. We spent most of the night talking about family stuff and eating Chinese food…” I start, debating whether to spill the rest of the embarrassing story.

“Oh this is getting good,” Kendall says, leaning forward.

"That sounds like one hell of a party. Are you sure there isn't more you want to share with the group? Safe space and all." Penelope says, bringing her cup up to her lips.

Why fight it… they’ll get it out of me eventually.

“Then I woke upalonea few hours later, with headlines hitting my phone that he was arrested on a DUI charge, and the woman he was taking home went to the hospital. The woman he must like enough to keep around because she’s his sports agent now. So, yeah, that’s the end of that story.”

A beat of silence falls over the table before Kendall blinks a couple of times and then finally says, “Damn.”

“Yeah.” I agree.

“But that was a year and a half ago. Do you think he’s changed?” Penelope asks.

I cut a piece off my sticky bun with my fork but don’t eat it right away. I glance at Kendall to answer this one… because she has firsthand experience. ”I don’t know… do players ever change?” I ask her, already knowing her answer.

Kendall’s lips purse as her eyebrows raise. “Not in my experience.”

---