Page 28 of Last Boy

I’m here, stuck in a place that has done nothing but take since the day I was born.

After finding out that Van’s death was going to be investigated and that agents were sweeping his house, I knew what I needed to do next. It will be a long walk to Brooks and the arena, but I need to catch Cade before he leaves for the night. Before he goes to Van’s.

Walker

I push through the door, my duffel bag slung over my shoulder, just as Coach sticks his head out of his office. “A word, James?”

My heart speeds up, and I panic, immediately thinking it’s something to do with Huff and LaConte is going to ask me what I know. But instead, he looks…happy.

I take a seat across from him, my knee bouncing. “Yeah, Coach?”

“Nothing is set in stone, and I didn’t want to tell you this before the game tonight because I was afraid it’d mess with your head.” He pauses, cupping his chin with his fingers. “The New England Bay Sharks called yesterday, asking a lot of questions about you. Word on the street is, their center is retiring real soon.” He sits back, pressing his back against his chair harder. “That’s a good team they’ve got up in Maine, son. I think that’d be a great opportunity for you.”

“Are you serious?” I whisper, my head beginning to spin.

He nods curtly. “I am. But like I said, nothing is set in stone, so please don’t get your hopes up or send out cards, telling the whole damn campus.” The corner of his lip turns up in a crooked grin. “But you’re on their radar, James. And that’s something to celebrate right there.”

“Thank you, Coach.” I push myself to stand. “Am I free to go?”

I don’t want him to feel like I’m rushing out of here. Especially when he just told me this news—which, even if it’s not a done deal, is huge. But I really need to talk to Cade. And something tells me I need to hurry because he’s going to rush out of here like he always does.

“Go on.” He waves toward the door. “Don’t be celebrating our win tonight too hard tonight though, you hear?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

I quickly bolt out of his office and head toward the exit, knowing I’m probably too late. Because not only did I talk to LaConte for a few minutes, but Cade also somehow finished interviews before me, so the chances that he’s left are already high. But I need to talk to him. I need to confront him on what I know.

That he has ties to Van Wilson.

Walking out of the locker room, I make my way toward the arena’s exit. My steps come to a stop when I watch Cade hug Poppy, both of them as pale as ghosts. He holds on to her for a moment, and I can read her body language like a book. Something is wrong. She’s upset.

Slowly, he releases her, and she says something else to him before she bolts through the doors and rushes outside. Cade follows but heads straight to his truck.

Rushing outside, I look around to see where she went. I know she wouldn’t be walking anywhere this late other than home. So, after throwing my bag in the back of my truck, I take off running.

Within a minute, I see her. She’s walking along the dirt path down the dimly lit hill. Her hood is up, hiding her hair, but I know it’s her.

“Poppy?” I call out.

Her shoulders tense, but she doesn’t turn. Within a few seconds, she starts sprinting, trying her best to get away from me.

“What the fuck?” I groan, chasing her down.

She’s quick, but her legs are a helluva lot shorter than mine are. And it’s no time when I come up behind her and throw her over my shoulder.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yell. “Why are you running away from me like a fucking crazy person?”

Kicking her legs and flailing her arms, she acts like a damn wild animal.

Then again, that’s what Poppy has always reminded me of—a coyote in society. Mean. Dangerous. But also slightly misunderstood.

Coyotes don’t redeem themselves after they’ve eviscerated other animals. Because if you give them long enough, they’ll just do it again. Maybe she can’t be redeemed either.

“Stop fighting me, my fucking God, Pop,” I hiss, tightening my grip on her ass to still her. “Cut the shit. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Chasing after me in the fucking dark and then throwing me over your shoulder is a weird way of showing it, asshole!” she growls. “Put. Me. Down!”

“If I put you down, will you talk to me?”

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