Page 28 of Game Day

"How much longer?" I ask Chloe as I assume an aggressive stance, turned sideways to the camera, my fists clenched.

Click-click. Click-click.

Her eyes don't move from her phone. "Twenty minutes?"

I told Nova I'd be done by mid-morning and ready to help with any wedding tasks the rest of the day. It’s already nearly lunch.

"Who's in after me?" Maybe I can tap out faster if the next Kodiaks player is ready to go.

"No one."

I straighten instantly. “Chlo, what aren’t you telling me?"

Her brows lift, her lips working for a moment before she says the words. "This is for the mayor's office."

“The mayor’s office doesn’t need promo photos. They can use the team’s.”

Chloe blinks at me. “Well, they asked for them, and apparently you said you’d act as ambassador.”

Dammit.

She’s got me there.

"Five more minutes," I concede.

"You have one more costume change." She holds up a bag.

"The fuck is this?" I grunt.

"Special city-edition uniform."

Behind a divider in the corner, I change into the all-gold jersey.I drag on the shorts, taking a look at the front of the jersey before I pull it on. There's a shiny purple bear on it with “Kodiaks” in shiny, slanted letters.

"Feel like the Wizard of fucking Oz," I grumble as I shrug into it.

As I emerge, Chloe reaches behind her seat and comes out with a basketball, which she throws at me hard enough that I have to react quickly to catch it.

"Thanks for being a team player." Her smile is wide.

Once the five minutes is up, I change, stalk out of the studio, and head toward the exit and send a text on the way.

Clay: On my way, Pink. I’m ready to be put to work.

When I pass the gym, my gaze catches on the guys inside.Miles is benching, Rookie spotting him. The weight on the barbell impresses even me.

"What've you been eating?" I ask as I stick my head in.

"More than cappuccinos," Miles grunts as he finishes a rep, the barbell clanging into its cups. He sits up and swipes a towel across his face.

"He's going to be a beast this year," Rookie claims.

"What does that make you?”

"Baby beast," Miles says, and Rookie shoves his shoulder hard enough that Miles coughs.

Rookie crosses to the cooler to refill his water as the text from Nova comes back.

Nova: Hey, I’m actually going to meet up with Mari right now.

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