Page 124 of Call the Shots
“If I go by myself, it’s fucking weird, but if the four of us go…” When nobody argued, I continued. “You can sleep in the car on the way back, I swear you won’t be late for practice.” I raked a hand through my hair. “Montoya?”
“I’m down. I like ping pong. I miss June.”
“Fridge?”
“We have to leave by midnight. That’s where I call it.”
“Nick?”
“This is a terrible idea and whatever happens next will stain your life like beer on a white rug.”
“So you’re coming?”
“Fuck yeah.” He grabbed the last slice of pepperoni and shoved half in his mouth. “Somebody has to film this.”
CHAPTER 45
JUNE
JUST DISAPPOINTED
We grabbed drinks after dinner,and my big goal was to be present in every conversation. My friends jumped between talking about the freshmen players—I didn’t know them—the paintball tournament—I didn’t go—and the private jokes that’d accumulated since January.
“Kassie’s working on getting into this animation internship,” I started.
She grinned. “Got into it.”
“You did?” I pulled her into a hug, shocked. “I—I didn’t know?—”
“I posted it in the group chat, I should’ve texted you?—”
“There’s this wrap place on the first floor,” Willow added. “They’re so good, and Kassie gets a discount for interning at the animation studio.”
I wouldn’t let myself feel left out—I did this. So I smiled and nodded, trying to keep a running tab of everything I missed.
The mental notetaking came to a stop when my phone rang.
I knew who it was before I even checked.
It was Bear calling before bed. I hurried to pull my phone out. For as chaotic and unruly as they could be, I missed the hockey team, and…Bear.
How did that happen? Somehow, I went from rolling my eyes when I heard his door open to waiting for it. Bear could be an asshole—absolutely. That’s what he was known for on the team, yet I’d uncovered this side of him that I didn’t know existed. This sweet, soft part of him he didn’t show anyone else.
I missed him. I missed how he’d elbow me out of the kitchen when I tried to load the dishwasher, missed walking to the Colo together. Missed stumbling upon these little ‘firsts’ for Bear. Those moments when he’d admit he’d never donethatbefore—bowling with his team, baking something, dancing at parties—and I’d get to see his hesitation melt into excitement when he’d branch out and the world didn’t shut him down, it welcomed him in.
Damn.I missed him.
But it was my mom calling.
My mom?
I whispered an apology to my friends on my way out, finding a quiet section to answer the phone.
“Mama? Is everything?—?”
“There’s an email saying you’re banned from the housing department. I don’t…? Is this spam?”
My heart skipped a beat. “I—uh?—”
