Page 68 of The Grinder

Another smile and the kid headed into the office and Riley headed back to the locker room.

He wanted to grab his coat and his bag and head out so he could call Aly, but Travis met him at his locker.

“You ready to get out of here?” Travis smacked him on the back as he pulled on his jacket. “Time to celebrate.”

Riley grinned at him and nodded. “Sounds good. I just need to make a call. Told CJ I’d wait for him, too.”

He had to raise his voice to be heard over the rest of the team. They’d been on a three-game losing streak before tonight and were psyched about the win.

“Well, hurry up. There’s alcohol to drink and women to hit on.”

Colin joined them, nudging Riley with his shoulder. “What’d Coach say? You staying?”

“At least until Thursday. I’m gonna take practice with the team then I guess he’ll make a decision.”

Riley was cautiously optimistic but wasn’t getting his hopes up

“You don’t have anything to worry about.” Travis clapped him on the back again. “Come on. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Sure. CJ should be out in a— wait, there he is.”

Colin twisted to look over his shoulder. “You two had a great night.”

CJ was grinning like a loon as he practically ran over to them. Apparently, he was staying, too. Good. The kid had played an amazing game.

“Coach said you’re staying, too. That’s awesome.”

Laughing, Riley put his arm around CJ’s shoulders and steered him toward the door.

“Yeah, it is. Come on, kid. Let’s go celebrate. I just gotta make a call first.”

CJ’s grin turned sly. “Gonna call Aly?”

Now he smacked the kid on the back of the head. “You’re just jealous. You gonna call your parents?”

“Shit.” CJ shook his head. “We better leave now.”

Riley was still laughing when he finally found a quiet spot in the hall to make his call.

She answered on the second ring.

“Riley?”

“Hey.”

“Hi. We saw the game. You looked great!”

Damn, it was good to hear her voice. “Thanks. We had a great game.”

“I’m so happy for you. Are you going out to celebrate?’

“CJ and I and a couple of the guys are heading to a bar.”

She paused for a second. Or maybe he just imagined it. “I’m really happy for you, Riley. So…are you staying in Philly?”

“Yeah, at least until Thursday. Coach said they’d decide whether or not to keep me or send me down.”

“I have no doubt they’re going to keep you.”

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