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“Did you tell her about moving in here?” Jack asks, changing the subject.

I shake my head. “Told her I was going to stay in a hotel a couple of blocks from our training center for a while. Said I wanted to give her and Lee some privacy. I’ll tell her tomorrow at practice.”

And I can’t wait for the look on her face when I do.

Silence stretches between us again.

“I’m leaving pretty early in the morning for my flight, and I’ll be away for three nights.” Jack reaches into his pocket and pulls out a key. “I got this cut for you, and I left the code to get onto the floor in your bedroom. The one you were given downstairs is a guest code.”

I take the key from him. “I saw it. Thanks.”

When he runs a hand through his hair, I can tell he wants to ask me something.

“Go ahead,” I say, granting him the opportunity.

“Does Tyler know about your place?”

I shake my head, thinking about all the times he’s tried to reach out to me over the past few days. Every single one is about him and the way I’m “ignoring” him. Not one asks me how I’m doing.

“No. I’ll tell him when I get set up in a new place. He didn’t really come around when we were together, so no danger of him turning up, unannounced. Even if he does keep blowing up my phone.”

For the past few minutes, Jack’s expression has been relatively relaxed, but I can’t mistake the way his jaw clenches.

“He’s bothering you?”

My hands immediately find my hair, and I rearrange my bun.

“Kendra, is he bothering you?” Jack repeats, more concern than any anger in his voice, which takes me by surprise, given his history with my ex-boyfriend.

I puff out a breath and drop my hands into my lap. “It’s always the same type of message. He says he’s sorry and wants to talk it out. But the thing is, I don’t. I want to get on with my life and soccer because, as I see it, there’s no way back for us.”

Jack pins his bottom lip between his teeth. “Then reply and tell him that.”

I nod, knowing he’s right. “I just don’t want to talk to him again. If you’d told me this time six months ago that I’d be in this situation—single and homeless—I’d have probably cried more at the single part. But honestly, I’m struggling to feel anything toward him. I just want him to leave me alone.”

Jack goes to speak, but I continue, feeling some kind of relief to say everything out loud.

“If anything, I’m kind of excited about the single part.”

His eyes grow wide as he runs a palm over the scruff of his jaw. “What do you mean?”

I pull out my cell and scroll to the Tinder app. “I’ve only set up a profile for now, but I’m thinking I’ll go out and have a bit of fun. I’ve been in a relationship for four years, and I’m two weeks away from turning twenty-three, so, yeah, I feel like maybe I’ve been missing out.”

The giddiness in my voice is not reflected on Jack’s face as he looks off to the side and then back at me, concern lacing his features.

“Yeah.” A gravelly noise escapes his chest. “I mean, yeah, for sure, you should enjoy yourself. Just be careful with”—he points to the phone in my hand—“guys you don’t know. Be safe, I mean,” he finishes, shifting awkwardly on his stool.

“I won’t be bringing anyone back here; you don’t need to worry about that.” I chuckle.

He scratches at his temple, blowing out a laugh that feels kind of forced. “Yeah, I know.”

I set down my phone, dropping my face into my hands.

Who am I kidding?

“Yeah, you’re right. Dating apps are probably a terrible idea for me.”

With my hands in front of my eyes, I can’t see anything. So, when Jack takes hold of my wrist and pulls a hand away, I feel his warm, slightly rough palm all the way to my toes.