Page 128 of On Her Team
My nose wrinkles. “We’re not dating anymore.”
She leans forward. “Why not? What happened? Do you need a shoulder to cry on? Or someone to help you write a break-up song?”
She drums her fingers on the table. “You never fumbled on the field — just with me,” she sings.
A line comes to me and I sing it before I realize I opened my mouth. “I was the one thing you didn’t train to keep.”
Juliet cheers. “This collaboration is killing it already.”
“I don’t know if I want to write a break-up song. The whole world will know it’s about Gage.”
She shrugs. “And? It works for Taylor Swift.”
My jaw drops to the floor. “Did you seriously compare me with Taylor Swift?”
“If the song fits…”
My phone buzzes with a message. “Sorry. I have three siblings I’m helping to raise. I can’t switch off my phone.”
But it isn’t my brother or one of my sisters messaging.
I’m staying in Smuggler’s Hideaway next week to spend time with you.
I clutch my chest before my heart can gallop away. Gage gets it. He understands. He chose me.
“I don’t think there’s going to be a break-up song about Gage,” Clara mutters.
I gasp. “Did you read my message?”
“I’m nosy. So, sue me. Except I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m kind of a shark.”
I giggle. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re my attorney.”
“Does this mean the deal is happening? You want to collaborate with me?” Juliet presses her hands together and bats her eyelashes at me.
“As if there was ever any doubt. Of course, I want to collaborate with you.”
She jumps to her feet. “Let’s let the attorneys iron out the details. I want to celebrate. I know this cute little wine bar.”
“Shouldn’t we stay here and listen to our lawyers?”
“Go,” Clara urges. “Shark, remember?”
Juliet hauls me out of my chair and herds me toward the door. “Maybe we can view some apartments as well.” Sheglances over her shoulder. “Make sure to include an apartment in Steel City as part of Addy’s compensation.”
I dig in my heels. “An apartment? Are you crazy? None of the paparazzi has mentioned you’re crazy.”
She giggles. “It’s normal compensation, silly.”
“Trust me,” Clara hollers. “I’ll get you a penthouse.”
I salute her. “Yes, shark!”
“I’m beyond excited. We could still write that break-up song about Gage. I bet the song would blow up. Rumors would explode and everyone would be forced to listen to the song and figure out all the buried Easter eggs.”
Juliet prattles on as we wait for the elevators. I can’t listen to any more. I’m too shocked by how the day turned out. I started this morning worrying I might have a severe mental illness. And now I’m ending the day with plans to get Gage back and move to Steel City. Where I’m going to collaborate with one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
I can’t wait to tell Gage. He’s going to be excited. Probably more excited than me.
