Page 99 of Cross Check

“Then I’ll be on a flight tomorrow.” His smile is bright and bold. The sun after weeks of rain. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Amelia.”

So many people have told me that today, but from him, it sounds extra special.

THIRTY-TWO

AMELIA

GE

Hey! My flight lands at 1.

Me

Perfect! I’ll come grab you!

GE

Sweet, thanks!

What’s on the schedule for today?

Me

I figured we could just hang out?

But I am leaving a ticket for you at the box office for tonight’s game!

GE

I refuse to wear Goldminers gear.

Me

I’d never ask you to!

GE

Glad that’s settled!

Me

Have a safe flight. I’ll see you soon!

“To our badass friend who keeps breaking barriers.” Lainey lifts her mimosa in the air. “We are so unbelievably proud of you.”

“Thank you, my angels. But you’re being far too nice to me,” I say.

“We’re not. This is deserved. You’ve put in the work for an opportunity like this, and you’re going to do amazing things as an associate coach,” Sienna tells me.

“You’re making me blush.” I laugh and sip on my orange juice, choosing the nonalcoholic option because of the game tonight. “That’s enough attention on me. Someone else tell me how your day went.”

“Nothing exciting is happening in the NBA. Some days I think we’re the most boring sports league because you can’t tackle or fight anyone, but then I remember baseball exists,” Lainey says.

“Hey. I love baseball,” Sienna interjects.

“No. You love baseball pants,” Lainey counters.

“It’s so funny that all they wear for protective gear is a helmet,” I say. “If NBA players fall, they could hit their head on the hardwood and literally die. Meanwhile you have the NHL guys in layers of gear to keep them safe.”