Week 17: Wyatt & Everly
(getting new jobs)
Wyatt’s last professional volleyball match had been three months ago, and Everly hadn’t ever seen her wife like this before. Wyatt was aimless for the first time in her life. She’d always played volleyball. She’d always been amazing at volleyball and had dedicated her life to the sport she loved. Now, she sat on their sofa and watched TV. If she wasn’t doing that, she was working out, still trying to stay in playing shape despite not needing to. She’d had offers for after her retirement, but she hadn’t taken any, choosing to take time off from everything instead. That just wasn’t her wife, and Everly needed to talk to her about it soon.
“I’d like to see you wear these tank tops more often,” Wyatt said with a wink as she folded two of Everly’s old tank tops that she’d pulled out of her drawer that morning, thinking about getting rid of them, but Wyatt had saved them instead, and they’d washed them.
“Like, for a specific purpose, or just around the house?” she asked with a wink.
“Well, if you wear them around the house, you’re going to walk yourself right into that specific purpose, so beware,” Wyatt joked and tossed the folded tank top into the laundry basket that was sitting on the floor next to their bed.
“Hey, babe?”
“Yeah?”
“I need to talk to you about something.”
“That doesn’t sound good. And we were just joking about sex. Can we go back to that, please?”
“No,” she said with a smile.
“Okay. Go ahead.” Wyatt sat cross-legged on their bed and gave her attention to Everly.
“I got a job interview offer.”
“You did?”
“Head coach.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me? Ev, that’s amazing. Where?”
“San Diego,” she said.
“San Diego? There’s no pro team in San Diego.”
“It’s not a pro job. It’s the university. They called yesterday and told me they wanted me to interview, but that it was more a formality than anything. I’ve been impressive to them in the league, I guess.”
“You’re impressive to everyone,” Wyatt said.
“It would mean moving. I know San Diego isn’t that far away, but we’d have to sell this place and move somewhere there.”
“So?”
“So, you like it here.”
“Ev, I like you a lot more than our house.” Wyatt laughed a little.
“You were offered commentator jobs, Wyatt. They were all based here.”
“So?” she asked again. “I didn’t take any of them.”
“You also got about ten coaching jobs; college and pro. You didn’t take any of those, either. And I know we’re okay on money right now. It’s not about that. I just…”
“You’re worried about me,” Wyatt finished for her.
“A little, yeah.”
“Sit.” Wyatt patted her knees after straightening her legs.
Everly moved to straddle her, wrapping her arms around Wyatt’s neck.
“I didn’t choose anything because I’ve been waiting for you to.”
“What?”
“You stayed on with the team, but your contract is up for renewal now, and I wasn’t sure if you’d want to stay in LA or go somewhere else. I knew you’d be getting offers for all sorts of jobs, Dr. Holman.”
“I’ve gotten a few interview requests, but I didn’t want the jobs.”
“I know. I’ve been waiting for you to find the one you want. Is this it?”
“I think so. I have to get it first, but it’s a head coaching job, Wyatt. That’s what I’ve wanted to do these past few years.”
“I know. And I think that’s amazing. If you get it, we’re moving to San Diego.”
“What will you do?”
“Be at all your matches, obviously,” Wyatt replied with a shoulder shrug. “And I’ll be a commentator somewhere.”
“What about coaching?”
“I don’t want to do that right now. Babe, our life since we met has mainly been about my career. You’ve been part of that this whole time, which is amazing, but it was about me being on our team here. Then, the Olympics. After that, it was back to this team, me traveling with Team USA leading up to the next Olympics, and then the Olympics again. I want to follow you now. It’s your turn.”
“I don’t want a turn if-”
“It’s what I want, too. I want you to have the job you want. I’m good traveling with you, carrying your bags if you let me, and maybe commentating. I can technically do that from anywhere; even remotely. I don’t have to be live at the match these days.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, babe.” Wyatt smiled up at her. “If you get this job, we’ll move to San Diego, and I’ll find something for myself to do while my crazy beautiful, super successful doctor wife coaches a team to a national championship.”
“Let’s not go that far.” Everly laughed.
“Hey, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Good. Now, can you put on that tank top and maybe lose the bra you’re wearing now?”
Everly laughed, leaned down, and kissed her.