pinky promise - jamie tartt

‟ IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU „

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"Please tell me you haven't left the clubhouse yet."

"Just finished extra weight training, why, love?" Jamie's words sent a breath of relief through Tate, glad she had been able to catch him before he went home.

"Can you run up to my office and grab my laptop for me? The charger is somewhere in my desk, I think." Even though he couldn't see her, and she knew he would move the world if she asked, she pouted out her bottom lip in order to plead her case.

"'Course," He readily agreed. "Aren't you supposed to be at girls night, though?"

"I'm literally standing outside the restaurant, but I really need my laptop this weekend." She chuckled, pulling her coat tighter around herself. Rebecca and Keeley had practically kidnapped her for the evening, stating they had something top secret and very important to talk to her about. "I'll see you at home, baby, I love you."

"Love you, too. Have fun and let me know if you need a ride home, yeah?"

After promising she would keep him updated but probably would just take the same car Rebecca had sent for her, she hung up and entered the entirely too fancy restaurant. Tate spotted the two women she was supposed to meet instantly, but her brows knitted together in both confusion and wariness as they immediately stopped their conversation when she approached and grinned brightly up at her.

"Are you two plotting something?" Tate asked as she sat in the third and final open chair at the table.

"No! Of course not," Rebecca assured her the very same moment Keeley audibly squeaked—damning them both to Tate's suspicions.

"Uh-huh," She hummed, studying them both carefully for a moment longer before picking up the menu to decide what she wanted. From the corner of her eye, Tate could see Rebecca and Keeley whisper-arguing about something, both trying to be subtle about it but both failing.

Miserably.

"Guys," Tate huffed, setting her menu down briefly. "What are you hiding?"

"You look bloody gorgeous tonight, babe!" Keeley complimented, nodding her head just a tad too quick. Normally, Tate would have accepted the compliment and returned it, but the only thing she sent in Keeley's direction was a flat look.

"Tell me what's wrong," She knew she should have been a little more tactful when speaking to her boss, but she was starting to grow nervous. "Please."

"I'm starting a Richmond Women's team, and we want you to try out for it." Rebecca finally confessed, and Tate's mouth dropped in shock, but it was that very same moment that the waiter appeared and took their orders.

But her brain had short-circuited, and she was unable to form words, so Keeley ended up ordering for her.

"And a giant glass of red wine, please." Keeley nodded solemnly just seconds before the waiter left the table, a curious glance given to all three women.

"Tate," Rebecca said her name carefully, and it was enough to snap her from her shock.

"I'm confused," Tate started, brows knitted tightly together. The opportunity to play football, professionally, for a team she loved with her whole heart was something she had never even thought possible. "Why are you guys acting like it's a bad thing? You're both being flighty."

"Because we don't want you to think we don't absolutely love you in your current position at the club." Rebecca was quick to assure her, and Tate suddenly understood the apprehension. Gossip columns had been taking shots at her from the very moment they found out about her relationship with Jamie, stating that he was the only reason she got her job—or kept it, especially after she didn't denounce Isaac as evil after he charged the stands.