Page 159 of Call the Shots
“Why would I bluff?” I asked.
“Look, June.” Kurt rubbed his temples. “We happily gave you recommendations for law school?—”
“I need something for the team?—”
“We understand you’re disappointed, but we can’t help,” Alonzo said gently.
I whipped out my phone and showed a picture of the boys, calling the offices together on the second-floor lounge. “They worked their asses off and I can’t just abandon them. Marrs can’t abandon them!”
“We don’t sign contracts for coaches?—”
“But you talk to donors, investors, the Marrs president. I need something. I need a miracle!”
CHAPTER 60
JUNE
PAROLE OFFICER’S SIGN OFF
I tried—weall did—but the miracle didn’t materialize and the calls for transfers became all too real.
The end between Bear and me was coming anyway, just like the Gladiators. Even if a miracle happened, I’d move in with my parents and Bear would have his hockey season, and then he’d go to the NHL while I had law school…
Our lives were heading in different directions.
After practice, we walked to class. He talked about an upcoming gaming session, and I watched him, warm and golden in the sunshine. The way the light played with his hair, poking out from his Boston Bulldogs baseball cap, the way his lips quirked up for a smile while he talked about his baby cousins…
“And—uh—they thought it’d be cool if you joined.”
I blinked in surprise. “Like the four of us?”
“Yeah. They thought—I thought—it’d be fun to do together. I know gaming isn’t your thing, butZoo Cultivation IVis really easy, and I could teach you how to?—”
“I’d love to,” I murmured.
A hopeful smile played on his lips. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s cool—that’s great. Awesome. I’ll let them know.”
I reached to slip off his Boston Bulldogs cap. “This isn’t the end of us being friends by the way. When you’re a big hockey star, I’m visiting to steal the jerseys and gear and crap your team throws at you.”
“The Bulldogs didn’t give me the hat,” he chuckled.
“You didn’t get this for the draft?”
“No—getting gear is considered like signing a contract. I bought that in the gift shop. This old lady quilt shop printed my name on it for twenty bucks.”
I took off the cap and gazed at it. When I first moved in, I thought it was Bear showing off what his official team sent him, I didn’t realize Bear bought it himself. I didn’t realize it was that special. Quickly, I tried to put it back on Bear, but he ducked away from me.
“Bear, you’re too tall, I can’t?—”
“The hat’s yours.”
My eyes darted to his. “What?”
“You want my gear, you can have it.” His smile softened. “All yours, killer.”
