Page 77 of Penalty Shots

"No," Rina and I both say.

The news doesn't feel real. It's what we both have always wanted, but somehow, it's hard for me to believe.

Rina stares at us, jaw tight. "That's… wow." She finally utters.

"Right?!" Keelan says, squeezing her shoulders. "I mean, it does mean I won't be able to come back next semester, but we'll figure it out, right?"

"Um," Rina rubs the side of her arm uncomfortably. "About that…"

She gives me a look, and I take that as my cue and get up. "I think I forgot something downstairs," I announce.

Keelan turns his attention to Rina. "What's going on?" He asks her, concerned.

I walk out the door and close it behind me.

The pros. The mother fuckin' pros. I need to tell my brother. He'll lose his shit. And it's Friday, so I know he'll be calling.

I walk down the stairs in a daze and pull out my phone. There's a missed call from an unknown number and a voicemail waiting for me.

I press the phone to my ear.

"Hello. This message is for Ryker Balinger. This is Stefan Smith from the Dallas Stars. I'm calling to let you know that we saw you play a great game out in Austin. We've spoken to your coach there at ASC and want to invite you to our development camp this summer. We're also asking your team captain to join us. Please give me a call back when you get this, and Balinger… Congratulations."

It's real. This is it. This is our moment.

A blur of black hair runs past me as I slip the phone into my pocket.

It's Rina. I call out for her, but she doesn't look back.

Back in the room, the music is off, and Keelan is zipping up his suitcase as soon as I walk in. He drops it on the floor.

"Everything ok?" I lean on the doorframe. All the excitement from earlier is gone from his expression.

"There's a car that's coming to pick us up by noon. Did you call Smith back yet?"

"Keelan."

"If you don't call him back, you might lose your spot. So you should probably do that before he offers it to someone—"

"Keelan Landry!"

He looks up at me, lip quivering.

"She's leaving, and she's not coming back," he finally admits.

"Do you know why?"

He shakes his head. "Just that it's not working out. Being here."

"That was her big news?"

"That was her big news," he says, grabbing his backpack off the floor. "Anyways, you should call Smith."

He grabs his luggage and rolls it behind him. "I gotta call my aunt and sister. I'll be outside."

"You good, Kee?"

He nods. "It's fine. Girls are a distraction anyway, right?"

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