Page 26 of Change Your Play

And why couldn’t I stop thinking about that?

“Locke?” Ryan interrupted my wild train of thought. “Why do you want to transfer?”

“I mean, I don’t.”

That got everybody’s attention - mine included. Mine one hundred percent included.

I dug my fingers into the hard paper lining of the coffee cup.

Miles suddenly realized the attention he had from his words and took a wide look around the room. He settled back on me.

“This is my second transfer and I’m here now and this is as good as it’s going to get. I don’t want to transfer. I don’t want to get up and leave again. But…I’m trying to see if this could be worth it. Because I think it could be.”

My pen stilled over my clipboard.

Ryan’s voice stopped me from pressing my thighs together. “What’re you looking for then?”

His answer was quick. “Something permanent.”

My eyes flashed down to my clipboard. I couldn’t meet his eyes again, I couldn’t do it. Regardless, I felt his gaze.

“I want something permanent,” he repeated softly. “I want something worthwhile.”

Okay. He’s absolutely talking to me.

And I had no idea how to respond.

“Alright. That’s fine.” Ryan scratched a few notes in his notebook and nodded. “Do you have a serious arrest record that we need to be aware of? We’ll perform a background check, but now is the time to tell us.”

“What? No.”

“Fine. Interview's finished,” Ryan said.

Miles frowned. “That’s it?”

Yeah, that was how the captain of the Marrs football team did it. Short, sweet, to the point, and with a grumpy attitude. If there was anything Ryan hated most, it was admin work.

“That’s it,” Ryan confirmed.

“Huh. Okay. I mean, this isn’t my first—usually they ask me what my favorite movie is or something.”

The team captain stared into the screen. “This is college football for one of the best teams in the nation, Locke. We’re in the middle of a one hundred and fifty million dollar football campaign, in the running for the Birchwood Bowl. I’m looking for one thing and one thing only. More football players towinus that championship. I can’t imaginewhyI would care about your favorite movie.”

Pure, uncut silence.

The laughter that burst out of Miles made me stiffen in my seat.

Did he laugh at that? Did heseriouslylaugh at that?

Miles defied all logic and grinned. “You got me there, man.”

“Good. Are we finished?” Ryan asked.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Alright. Thanks, Locke,” Ryan said.

Miles pushed up from the seat and made his way to the door. He hung by the frame, wrapping his fingers around it, and glanced back towards the Marrs team. “Thanks for the opportunity. I am sorry about my behavior earlier.” His eyes flickered to mine and my thighs pressed together. “Thanks again.”

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