Page 8 of Full Court Crush

“Oh, yeah? How’s the ankle?” Keira asked suspiciously, looking pointedly at the strapping.

“It’s nothing, just a slight sprain.” Amelia smiled, but it seemed forced.

Keira was about to challenge her on the likely understatement when a sheepish figure appeared at the doorway, cheeks red, breathing hard.

“Are you okay? I’m so sorry,” Lucy asked, eyeing the bloody tissues in the bin.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Keira tried to reassure her. Lucy looked her over before turning to Amelia. “Michelle said we’re going to scrimmage for a bit if you want to join?” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder.

“I’m good here,” Amelia replied with a smile. Lucy shrugged and disappeared as quickly as she arrived.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Keira said guiltily. She’d already potentially injured her new teammate,the captainno less. And now she was missing training because of her.

“I never leave my patients when they need me,” Amelia said, with a twinkle in her eye. Keira couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Ow.” She instinctively returned her hand to her nose.

“You should probably ice that when you get home.”

Keira grumbled her assent. Amelia looked at her kindly, a few strands of loose wavy hair tumbling down the sides of her face. Keira felt a small tug below her ribcage, pulling her forward. The feeling surprised her so much that she nudged herself backwards on the swivel chair to get away from it.

“Are you coming to the meal at the end of the week?” Amelia asked, seemingly oblivious of Keira’s panic.

“Oh, er, I’m not sure yet, but probably not.” Thinking of the limited funds in her bank account was like having a bucket of ice water dumped over her. She could have sworn she saw disappointment flash across Amelia’s face.

“That’s a shame, it’d give you a chance to get to know the team.”

Right. Team bonding. If Amelia was disappointed, it was for team unity reasons.

Not that it matters.You’re here to work, nothing else.

Chapter 4

Amelia

Thesoundofclinkingcutlery, laughter, and bubbly chatter filled the air as Amelia walked into the restaurant. She quickly scanned the room and spotted Coach Grant, Evie, and TJ sitting at a large table at the back. She weaved in and out of the furniture, stopping occasionally to let a waiter pass. Aromas from different delicious foods filled her nostrils as she passed each table, making her stomach rumble. She’d come straight from a busy shift at work, and her body desperately needed fuel. Coach Grant took a sip of her beer as Amelia arrived at the table.

“Hey, Amelia. Great choice of venue,” she said, raising her bottle in Amelia’s direction.

“Hi, Michelle. And yeah, I thought so.” Amelia walked around the table. “People at work highly recommended it.”

“Pipsqueak,” TJ said, acknowledging Amelia with a fist bump. Amelia rolled her eyes and sat down, leaving an empty seat between herself and Evie.

“Do I smell or something?” Evie asked with mock offence, her petite features forming a frown, while her blonde hair, normally tied up, cascaded around her face. Her brown eyes glinted with mischief while the overhead lights washed out her already pale skin.

“No, I just…thought I’d save a seat for Keira. She doesn’t really know anyone on the team yet.”

“And she knows you?” Evie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We may have bumped into each other outside of training,” she said with a smirk. “I met her on a run before I knew who she was. She may not even be coming, but just in case.”

Evie’s eyes widened. Amelia’s cheeks burned. She’d forgotten telling Evie about the woman from the park. The woman she’d calledcute. The woman she now knew to be Keira. Evie stared pointedly back, grinning.

Amelia shrugged her shoulders in an attempt at indifference.I’m just being a good captain.I’m helping a new teammate settle in, that’s all.

The unease in the pit of her stomach told her that wasn’t the whole truth.

A few more of the team spilled into the restaurant. Lucy led the way, wearing a warm grey waistcoat and with her hair styled to perfection; she turned more than a few heads. Once it was clear Keira wasn’t with them, Amelia slouched back in her chair, fidgeting with her cutlery.