Page 158 of Between the Blue
And I’m starting to see it all slip away right before my eyes.
What have I fucking done?
But then, the sixth round begins.
A man with a green tie ascends the stage.
And he says the words, “With the one hundred and sixty-first pick overall, the Texas Storm selects…”
He pauses for a moment. It feels so long, but I know it’s not. Only long enough for Rhett’s hand to squeeze my shoulder. Like he somehow knew.
“From the University of Toronto–”
Rhett’s already hugging me, pulling me out of my seat. My mom starts to cry. My dad pats me on the back.
“Bennett James.”
forty-two
HER
“That Bennett James sure is something.”
I fold my hands on my lap, watching Tiffany’s face as she scrolls through my updated online portfolio.
“He certainly is,” I agree, keeping my tone neutral.
I decide it’s probably best that my academic advisor isn’t made aware of any feelings I may have had at one point towards the most important photo subject of my internship. Or the things I may have let him do to me.
I cross my legs, looking down at my watch.
I don’t want to rush Tiffany. I’ve already had to put off our mandatory mid-year check-in that we were supposed to have right after coming back from the holidays so many times that it’s now two weeks into February. But I need to leave in a few minutes to head to the arena and prepare for today’s game.
“Well, Addie, your grades are obviously fantastic. And, I have to say,” Tiffany muses, “for an internship you didn’t want, you are doing a fantastic job. You’d certainly have me fooled if you told me sports photography was your passion all along.” She tilts her head at me. “Are you sure it’s not?”
“I appreciate the compliment,” I tell her, “but I’m sure. I have to admit, I’m liking it a lot more than I thought I would. Hockey is…fun. And it’s been a nice push out of my comfort zone, but…”
“COBO’s still the dream?” Tiffany finishes for me.
“COBO’s still the dream,” I confirm.
“Have you seen or heard any more from Natasha Collins?”
I shake my head. “No, but I hear there’s a good chance she’ll be at the game tonight with Mr. Moreno since it’s Valentine’s Day.”
Tiffany raises her brows. “Got any tricks up your sleeve?”
“I might have a few,” I say, a smile pulling at my lips.
“Well, I won’t keep you any longer then.” Tiffany claps, motioning towards the door. “Get out of here.”
I move to grab my bag and leave, but Tiffany leaning towards me over her desk makes me pause.
“Off the record, go schmooze the hell out of that woman and land a full-time gig at COBO so you never have to come back here again,” she whispers.
I cock my head at her. “Are you telling me not to stay in school?”
“School is just a means to an end. Sure, being an AIT student is an honor and a good experience, but if you get a real opportunity, you run for the hills and don’t look back.”
