Page 45 of Anatomy of Us

“Yes.” My throat tightens. “I ended it unilaterally.”

“You are currently under investigation by the league ethics committee. True?”

“It is an anonymous complaint with no basis,” I say, eyes cutting to Nate. “We followed protocol at all times, and everything is being addressed with the committee.”

When I stand to return to my seat, my legs shake.

“I call Ms. Jamie Reid as my next witness.”

Jamie comes in on crutches. All five-ten of her moving across the room with effort.

“Name and relationship to Ms. Méndez,” the judge asks.

“Jamie Reid. Teammate and friend.”

“Do you know Wesley?”

“Yes. I’ve watched him several times. Before my knee surgery.”

“For example, six weeks ago,” Yvonne prompts. “Ms. Méndez’s sitter couldn’t make it and you stayed with Wesley during training. Several players volunteered to help if needed. Correct?”

“Yes,” Jamie says. Her hands clamp on the crutches. She looks uncomfortable from a mile away.

“Did you receive a call regarding that situation?” Yvonne asks.

Jamie swallows.

“Nate Henderson called me that night.”

Zoe goes rigid. Nate leans toward his attorney and whispers something.

“What did he say?”

“He saw a photo of me with Wesley on Instagram and wanted to know why I was watching his child.” Jamie rushes to add, “I pixelated the baby’s face.” Then her jaw tightens. “Then he asked if I was ‘one of those lesbians on the team.’” She makes air quotes on the last words.

The judge leans forward.

“Excuse me. What did he say?”

“Nate Henderson asked if I was one of those lesbians on the team,” Jamie repeats, and points straight at Zoe’s ex.

The judge exhales and rolls her eyes.

“My goodness.”

**

The team crowds Zoe the second we get outside.

“That lawyer is a prick,” Iris snaps. “If that bastard wins, I swear I’m keying his car. I’m not joking. I’ll pay the fine and we're cool.”

Zoe can’t help laughing, even with the tension still buzzing under her skin.

“Thank you,” she says, caught between laughter and tears. “All of you. Seriously. It means a lot that you came to support me.”

“The whole team’s with you, Méndez,” Hades says. “Now go rest. I’m not canceling this afternoon’s training,” she adds, earning a wave of player protests.

Chapter 15