Page 72 of Hutch
“That’s what I’m thinking, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. This is the team I want. It means I can stay here and play for the city I grew up in. I can stay close to my mom and make sure she’s taken care of. Fuck, Daisy. This could be everything I ever wanted.”
“Where are you? It’s so loud.”
“I’m in the locker room.”
“Ah, that explains it. Have you talked to the press yet?”
“Uh, no. Coach will usually pick two or three of us and go do a small press thing. We keep them out of the locker room and the hallway leading to it.”
“Maybe talk to the recruiter guy before you talk to the press. They may want a media blackout until the contract is signed.”
“I didn’t think about that.”
“My ex, he had a similar thing go on with him when he declared for the school he wanted to play for. They had him wait until he’d signed his commitment letter and then they organized a press conference.”
“Who is your ex?” I’m not sure she’ll even tell me.
She stays silent for a long, long minute or two.
“Joseph Ayers.”
Holy fucking shit. I know the name. He’s the quarterback for Texas State. He declared the for the draft about a week ago. Dude’s good. People are saying he might be a first round pick since he’s nominated for a Heisman. Just goes to show no matter how good you are at a sport, doesn’t mean you’re a good person.
“He’s still an asshole.”
She laughs and it warms my heart. It’s good to hear her laugh when she says the name instead of getting that haunted look in her eyes.
“I was kinda hoping you might come out and celebrate with us tonight? I know you said you needed to study and all, but if this phone call goes the way I hope it does, we’ll have something to celebrate. And it’s my cheat day. I can have a burger and fries if I want.”
“I really hate crowds and parties. How about I make you and the guys some burgers and fries instead and then you can go out and party later? I think there’s a grill out back we can use.”
“Why do you hate parties and crowds?”
“Let’s just say it ties back in with Joseph and let it be at that.”
That is a loaded statement and I immediately want to question her about it. But I also know it’ll shut her down emotionally if I ask. She’ll eventually tell me.
“Tell you what. You and the girls go pick up the groceries and I’ll wrangle the team over to your house. We can do a party there in a couple of hours. Sound good?”
“I can do that as long as I can escape upstairs after the food is done.”
“The team isn’t going to do or say anything they shouldn’t. I’ll make sure of it. I want you to get to know them. They’re good guys. We got rid of the bad apple last year.”
“Bad apple?”
“He kept getting drunk and in fights. And his extracurricular activities were less than stellar…he kept sleeping with women who were already in relationships. We don’t put up with shit like that on our team. Makes us all look bad.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I’ll take it.
“Go make your call.”
“I’m afraid.”
“Why?”
“What if it’s just a call to say they’re watching me?”
