Page 152 of Call the Shots
“You’re a fucking idiot—the Gladiators aren’t dying!”
The door handle jiggled, and we glanced together. No one was supposed to come in—was it Vernon? I stiffened, watching as the door opened, but my eyes widened when I saw the familiar broad shoulders.
Bear slipped inside, shutting the door behind him.
“We have a limited supply oflaces,” Bear remarked. “The Gladiatorsaredying. You really don’t see that?”
I stared in disbelief. “Bear?”
He brought a chair next to me. “You’re not doing this alone.”
That was such a dumb move—this wouldn’t be worth the retaliation from Vernon if it turned out Riley was just a poor decision of a freshman player—but I couldn’t stop the way my chest squeezed as Bear slid closer to me.
“This isn’t a dying team, you’re both morons,” Riley scoffed. “We were on the news! What are you—where’s Vernon?”
“So, youwantedto be on this team?” Bear pushed.
A realization struck me. “Vernon lied to Riley.”
“He didn’t lie to me?—”
“What did he tell you?” Bear asked, mystified. “It’s normal for the checks to be delayed? For the arena to have mold?”
I pointed at Riley. “He doesn’t live at RV, he hasn’t been around for the renovation shifts, the gym slots, the practices… Riley hasnoidea what’s going on. And why would he care about the checks? The Townsends have money.” I made a noise atthe back of my throat, shocked. “Oh my god, he doesn’t know anything. Vernon’s been lying to him this whole summer!”
“No, he hasn’t!” Riley shouted.
“Did your family pay or something to get you on this shit team?” Bear burst into laughter. “Vernon swindled you?”
“He wouldn’t do that!”
“Let’s say Vernon knows this rich family,” I said, ignoring Riley. “Vernon knows the Gladiators are on their last rung, it’s the end. He offers this kid a spot on the team for money and figures it doesn’t matter because the team will be done at the end of the summer. All he has to do is wait for the team to fold.”
Riley shot up from his chair, but Bear frowned. “Wouldn’t the Townsends come after him if the deal falls apart?”
“Depends on the amount of money.” I shrugged. “Maybe Vernon thinks he can escape the country, or because it’s illegal, they won’t go after him?—”
“He wouldn’t do that!” Riley snarled.
“Yeah?” Bear raised his eyebrows. “Why not?”
“Because I’m his godson! He wouldn’t do that to me!”
The three of us froze and I slid my phone across the desk. “So he put you on the Gladiators out of the goodness of his heart?”
“Duh, there’s money involved, but he wouldn’t lie to me?—”
“How much money are we talking about?” I asked, fighting to keep my voice level.
“Half a million!”
Bear’s mouth fell open. “Forthisteam?! Your family paidhalf a million dollarsto get you on the goddamnGladiators?!”
“Cleo, did you hear that?” I asked, nudging my phone.
“Um…yes.”
Riley’s eyes landed on my phone and back to me. His voice dropped to a dumbfounded whisper. “What…? What the fuck…?”
