Welcome to TE. That's unfortunate that your team is excluding you. Is there any chance that there's been a misunderstanding on their part that you'd like to train with them? Would you feel comfortable talking to them about it? In any event, you CAN do it. Just keep with your training plan. Is there are a local cycling club or group rides in your area? Notwithstanding your team's standoffishness, perhaps you could ride with other people in your area and, if you're interested, make some friends in the process.

As for shorts, I'm not a big fan of Performance brand anything. I would suggest looking at the selection that Team Estrogen offers. No one short is going to work for everybody, but I think you're better off investing in a more expensive short, preferably one with 8 panels. I personally use PI Ultrasensor shorts. They're kind of long, which I like, the material is more substantial than some (I feel like of locked and loaded wearing them), they have a higher rise in the back, and the chamois doesn't chafe me. They're not cheap, but well worth the money.

Good luck and let us know how the ride goes.