Page 5 of Anatomy of Us

Expected return date: TBD

I read the name three times.

On the fourth, my brain finally catches up with what my eyes keep throwing at it.

“Fuck,” I growl, dragging a hand through my hair.

I need another glass.

Relevant medical history:

ACL reconstruction, right knee (2019)

Full-term pregnancy, vaginal delivery without complications.

Zoe has been pregnant.

Zoe has had a baby.

I followed her career in the early years, then I got swallowed by European soccer. When the club called me, I watched the latest league matches. I thought she’d retired. Instead, she was pregnant.

I shouldn’t have taken this job.

I snap the laptop shut. The click cracks through the apartment like a gunshot.

My heart runs too fast. My hands sweat.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I stand up, walk to the window, and press my forehead to the glass. It’s cold. Cold usually helps.

Tonight, nothing helps.

My phone rings and yanks me back to earth.

Klaus Hermann. My mentor in Munich. The only person who knows the full version of why I left the United States seven years ago, and what I left behind. Also,unfortunately, the person most likely to hand me a truth I don’t want.

“Tessa. How’s your first day in the new job?”

His German accent has softened after thirty years fixing the knees of some of the best athletes on the planet, but it still clings to his vowels.

“The facilities are excellent. The staff under me is solid. Diana Creed runs a strict program,” I answer, no hesitation.

“And why do you sound like you’re completely miserable?”

“I’m reviewing player files.”

“And? You can’t have that many injuries right now, can you? In Europe we’re months into the season, but you haven’t even started preseason there.”

“It’s not that. It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?” he presses.

“One of the players is someone I knew. Before. Back in my college years,” I say, and I can’t stop the long breath that leaks out of me.

“I see.” He pauses, and it lasts too long. “Is that the reason you agreed to come to Munich?”

“One of the reasons.”