Page 11 of Puck Drop
“You are an adult, Elizabeth,” she informed me, like I wasn’t aware of it. “You have a birthday coming up soon that’ll put you at a quarter of a century old.”
I rolled my eyes at that because when she put it that way, it sounded like I was becoming ancient.
“You’re about to be twenty-five years old, and you still live with your father,” Mona continued without giving me a chance to say anything. “He pays for everything for you. All you do is attend random charity events.”
My eyes widened in shock. She presented me like some sort of a superficial human, someone who had nothing to show for existing.
I started thinking, realizing that she was right. I went to college, but I was never too serious about starting a career. I was always interested in art, painting being my favorite, but my father said it was a waste of time, so I never pursued it. I don’t know how me doing nothing was not a waste of time, though.
“If I follow Logan to Texas,” I started thinking out loud. “How am I going to support myself?”
“Well…”
Mona stared at me for a few long seconds, chewing on her bottom lip in concentration. Suddenly, her eyes widened with excitement.
“You could use that nutritionist certificate you got a couple of years ago.”
“Thanks to you,” I laughed.
A couple of years ago, I took a break from college. Mona wanted to take this online course on nutrition, and she talked me into taking it with her. It took us a year to complete.
“Do you think I could find a job doing that? I don’t even have that much experience. Any, actually,” I laughed nervously.
Mona sighed and shook her head at me in disappointment.
“Elizabeth, you have so many resources at your fingertips. Use them!”
I stared at her in bewilderment. “Like what?”
“Like all the people at the arena!”
And that’s how I ended up connecting with Leyla, the publicist for the New York Sliders. She never asked any follow up questions past my qualifications for a job. Two days later, she texted me that someone from the Aces would be contacting me for an interview.
It was all a complete whirlwind, and now that I find myself staring at Logan Mantei, the man I put myself through all that for, I wonder if I made a mistake.
“Hi, Logan.”
His mouth opens and closes a couple of times, and his eyes bug out of his head. It is obvious that seeing me here was the last thing he expected.
“You two know each other?” one of the players sitting at a table nearby asks.
Logan’s eyes widen even more at hearing the question. He looks at me for a sign on how to answer. I don’t know either. I don’t see why it should be a secret that we more than we know each other.
“Not really,” Logan finally mutters.
My heart drops to my stomach, making me feel queasy. The nervous smile I had on my face is now gone.
“If you’re on a first name basis with the lady,” the other player continues. “Can you do me a solid and introduce me to her?”
Logan is still staring at me, no words passing his lips. I wipe my suddenly clammy hands on the material of my linen trousers before turning to face the table full of players who are staring at us with interest.
“Hi, everyone.” I give them a small and awkward wave. “I’m Elizabeth, and I just started working at the Aces arena as a junior nutritionist.”
“How do we get appointments with you?”
I let out a nervous laugh at hearing the question, glancing around the table, hoping they’re just teasing me. But then I realize that was a serious question.
“Uh, you can request an appointment through the player portal,” I tell them. “Or you can just walk over to my office at the arena, and I can make the appointment for you.”
