Page 29 of Anatomy of Us

“Why doesn’t she just retire already?”

And then I see it.

A statement. From Nate Henderson. To a major sports outlet.

“I am deeply concerned about my son’s well-being. I am evaluating legal options with my attorney.”

I throw the phone onto the bed.

“Son of a bitch.”

I yank on a T-shirt and run into the hallway toward Zoe’s room.

I knock softly in case she’s asleep. Once. Twice.

Nothing.

“Zoe. It’s me,” I whisper.

Silence.

“Zoe, I know you’re in there. Please open up,” I say.

More silence. Then footsteps. The lock clicks.

The door opens five inches, and my stomach drops when I see her eyes.

“You saw it, right?” she asks, and her voice sounds wrecked.

“Yes.”

“All of it?”

“Enough,” I breathe. “Can I come in?”

Wesley sleeps in his crib, clueless about the internet burning down. Zoe can’t stop crying.

“I’m done,” she says, breaking. “I’m not training anymore. I can’t. This was supposed to be fun and look how it ends. How the hell did this happen, Tessa?” She drops onto the bed and drags both hands through her hair. “It was a funny picture. A joke. Tina only wanted to—”

“I know.”

“Iris was right there. She was right there.” Zoe’s voice spikes. “Sitting with the baby. With water. With shade. With sunscreen. With everything.”

“I know.”

“And now everyone thinks I’m a shitty mom who dumps her ten-month-old to play soccer,” she sobs.

“Zoe, you know that isn’t true and—”

“And Nate.” Her face twists. “That bastard couldn’t wait to talk to the press. He says he’s evaluating legal options with his lawyer. He’s going to use this. You know it, right? He’ll use it against me. For custody.”

“We’re going to fix it,” I say, and I climb onto the bed beside her.

“How?”

“I don’t know yet.” My voice comes out rough, but steady. “But we’re going to fix it. I promise.”

Chapter 10