68. Amelia
SIXTY-EIGHT
AMELIA
DECEMBER, ONE SEASON AGO
Lainey
We land at 3! We’re ahead of schedule.
Me
I’ll be at the airport waiting for you girls!
Sienna
I’m going to scream when we land. It’s been way too long since we saw you.
Me
I know. At least we get a whole weekend together now!
Love you all! Be safe.
GE
Have fun with your friends tonight!
Me
I wish you could meet them.
I hate lying. I trust them with my life, but I’m afraid to let anyone in on our secret, you know?
GE
I get it. I want to tell Hannah, but if she finds out, she’d tell Coach. And that opens the door to the league finding out.
Me
Maybe one day.
GE
What if there was a way for me to meet your friends?
We could stage a run-in at a restaurant.
Me
Tell me more.
GE
Pick a spot for dinner, and I’ll happen to show up at the same place. Hannah and I are supposed to hang out tonight, so you can meet her too.
Me
You’d give up your evening to meet my friends?
GE
Of course. They’re important to you.
Me
*Attachment: 1 location*
How about this place at 7?
GE
I’ll be there, baby.
“The apartment looks better than it did on our FaceTime calls.” Lainey sits on the couch in my living room and yawns. “And the furniture matches so well.”
“I going to paint the walls over the summer,” I say. “The beige is too boring.”
“You’ve never been a beige girl. How is the season going?” Sienna takes the spot on my velvet chaise lounge and stretches her legs. “I don’t buy into the media bullshit, but all of the news outlets like you and what you’re building here in Baltimore.”
“We’ve won more games in two months than the Sea Crabs did all of last year. Season ticket numbers have jumped, and our games through the holidays are sold out,” I say. “We’re on the right track, and I’m hoping we keep the momentum into the All-Star break.”
“I can’t believe this is your life. I mean, I can believe it—you’ve worked so hard to make it happen—but does it all feel like a dream?
From assistant coach to head coach in a few years.
You can’t make that up.” Lainey wipes her thumb under her eye.
“Dammit. I told myself I wasn’t allowed to cry this weekend. ”
“It feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.” I reach for her hand and lace our fingers together. “I don’t take it for granted either. It’s a gift to stay up late and study game film. To know people look up to me.”
“We’re so proud of you, A.” Sienna leans over and pinches my cheek. “And we’re excited to be here for the weekend to celebrate you.”
“Speaking of the weekend, we have a lot on the agenda. I got us a table for dinner tonight,” I say. “There’s the game tomorrow night, then brunch on Sunday.”
“Who are you all playing tomorrow night?” Sienna asks.
“Los Angeles. The Bulls, not the Suns.”
“That’s the team with the guy who posed naked for Men’s Health, isn’t it?” Lainey says. “Shoot. What’s his name?”
“He was wearing nothing but skates, and all that covered his dick was a hockey stick. You expect us to remember his name?” Sienna asks. “Our priorities are different.”
“Carter Wiley,” I tell them. “And I know that from the stats sheet I was looking at this morning, not his magazine shoot.”
“He might have used a hockey stick to cover his dick, but it didn’t hide everything.” Lainey grins. “God bless those photographers.”
“Sorry to break it to you, but he’ll be wearing clothes and pads tomorrow night. I hope that doesn’t stop you two from spectating.”
“Forget Carter. Can you introduce us to Emerson Hartwell?” Sienna asks. “She’s my girl crush.”
“I can make that happen.” I smile at my best friends. “Do you want to get cleaned up before dinner? The guest rooms are ready, and each has its own bathroom.”
“She’s living large in Charm City, folks,” Lainey teases, and I laugh. “I’d love a shower.”
“Do I have time for a power nap?”
“The towels are in your bathrooms, and we have three hours before we need to leave for dinner,” I say. “Plenty of time to do whatever you want.”
“In that case, I’ll see you all in two hours and fifty-nine minutes,” Sienna announces, popping to her feet. “Don’t expect me a second sooner.”
“We’re so glad we get to be here with you.” Lainey kisses my cheek and stands too. “Thanks for inviting us, sweetie.”
“Anytime,” I say, and my heart is so full.
I’m buzzing when we sit down for dinner later, and I take a long sip of Chardonnay to calm my nerves.
“This place is cute,” Lainey says.
“What’s the dating scene like here, Amelia?” Sienna asks. “Better than Denver?”
“I’m not sure.” I open the menu and stare at the specials. “I haven’t gone on any dates yet.”
“Really?” Lainey turns my way. “Is that by choice, or do the men in Baltimore suck?”
“By choice, I guess. I don’t have much free time. When I do have a night off, I don’t want to spend it talking about my favorite color on a dating app.” I tuck my ankles under my chair, drumming my fingers on the side of the menu. “Other things hold my interest more.”
Heavy footsteps echo behind me. They’re followed by a deep laugh that I know well and I adore, and I spin in my chair. My gaze locks on Grant’s, and for the hairbreadth of a second, the rest of the world disappears.
We’re the only two here, and I can’t help but grin at the sight of him.
That is what’s holding my interest, and no one could blame me.
He’s wearing a crisp white shirt that’s tucked into dark jeans. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and a winter coat is draped over his forearm. A lock of hair falls across his forehead, and his grin matches mine.
I like him so much.
The thought rattles behind my ribs. It presses against my sternum, heavy when Grant stops at our table with his sister by his side.
“Amelia?” His voice is tinged with the perfect amount of surprise, as if I didn’t wake up in his bed this morning. The low, sultry sound of my name slides down my spine. “Hey.”
“Grant,” I breathe out, smoothing my palms over my leather skirt. His eyes follow the path of my palms, a blush staining his cheeks when he gets a peek at the thigh high stockings I’m wearing. “Hi. What a nice surprise. It’s so good to see you.”
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
“Having dinner with my friends. Lainey, Sienna, this is Grant Everett.” I gesture to him. “Grant, these are my friends.”
“Baltimore is turning out to be quite lovely.” Sienna beams and holds out her palm, shaking Grant’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet y’all too. Since we’re doing introductions, this is Hannah, my younger sister,” he says, gesturing to the blonde next to him.
I’ve seen photos of her, but they’re even more alike in person—same nose, same jawline.
Besides the height, hair and eye color, they’re twins.
“We were in the area and thought we’d grab a bite to eat. ”
“Hannah. Hi.” I smile at his sister. “I’m Amelia Green. Emmy Hartwell has mentioned you a few times.”
“Amelia Green.” Her eyes bounce between me and her brother. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Do you want to join us? There’s plenty of room,” I say.
Grant springs into action, tracking down another chair and adding it to the table. We rearrange our positions until Grant is next to me, with Hannah beside him. Lainey and Sienna are across the table, and we get settled.
“Where are you two visiting from?” Grant asks. “Are you college friends?”
“Nope. We live in Denver. That’s where we met Amelia,” Lainey fills in. “We’re here for the weekend.”
“Will we see you tomorrow?” Sienna tips her head. “Are you a proud member of the Sea Crabs?”
“I play for DC,” Grant explains. “Same division, different team.”
“I like DC.” Lainey sets down her wine glass. “How do you know Amelia?”
“Yeah, Grant. How do you know Amelia?” Hannah echoes, and there’s a glint in her eye.
“The sports world is small. Our schedules overlap. We chatted at All-Star weekend a couple seasons back.” Grant shrugs, nonchalant. “She also coaches my best friend’s wife, so we’ve seen each other around.”
“Our record is better than theirs, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to join the Sea Crabs in the offseason,” I tease, and he rolls his eyes.
“We’ll kick your ass when we play in January.”
“Keep dreaming, Everett.”
We take turns ordering our food and another round of drinks. I go with the burger, and when I ask for it medium well, Grant scribbles on a napkin before tucking it in his pocket.
“Keeping secrets?” I ask, leaning close while the girls get a refill on their wine.
“From you?” His knee bumps mine under the table, and neither of us pulls away. “Never.”
“I’d like to make a toast.” Lainey lifts her glass. “Sorry, Grant. We’re going to make this about Amelia for a minute. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” He grabs his water and mimics her movements. “Happy to join in.”
“To our incredible friend who is thriving in her new role,” Lainey starts. “Who continues to impress not only us, but the world with her professionalism, beauty, and grace.”
“I don’t know about that.” I laugh. “I’m not Miss America, Lainey.”
“I said it, so every word must be true!”
“She’s right, Green.” Grant nudges my side. “All toasts are truth and nothing but the truth.”
“I like you. You may continue to hang out with our girl,” Lainey says, and his free hand grips my thigh. “We love you, Amelia. We’re proud of you, and we can’t wait to see what you do next.”
“Seeing that you’re not afraid to roast my brother makes you a winner in my book,” Hannah says, flipping off Grant when he gapes at her. “Sorry, bro. Girls rule, boys drool.”
The evening stretches on, the five of us enjoying our food and shared conversation. We swap stories and plates like we’ve been spending time together for years and stay until the restaurant closes.
Grant picks up the bill, ignoring our demands to pay our individual portions. When it comes time to leave, Lainey and Sienna give Hannah a hug. They exchange numbers, promising to text her tomorrow when I’m at the arena to see if she wants to grab lunch.
All my favorite people are getting along, and I’m on top of the world because of it.
“That went well,” Grant says while Hannah hands their receipt to the valet. “Lainey and Sienna are a hoot.”
“They really like you. I’m going to get an interrogation when we get back to my place, and I hate that I can’t tell them the truth,” I admit.
“One day.” The back of his hand bumps mine. His knuckles brush against my wrist. “One day our friends will all come over for dinner or Sunday brunch. Our families will be there too. I promise.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“I do, and I’ll fight like hell to make it happen, baby.”
“You’re wonderful,” I whisper, waving to Lainey and Sienna that I’ll be one more minute. “And I’m happy you got to meet the people I care about.”
“Thank you for letting me meet them.” His pinkie hooks around mine. “Text me when you get home?”
“I will. I’m so glad I got to see you.”
“Me too, Lia.” Grant smiles my way, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world. “See you on Monday?”
“Monday,” I repeat. “I can’t wait.”