Page 62 of Game Changer

I have no doubt it would hit close to home for Mari, but I wonder how much they talk about the reason for that.

Next, I navigate to the Kodiaks' camp website.

The camp looks fabulous. The more I look, the more interested I am, and not only for Mari. It’s amazing the team invests so much. I get that it’s a PR activity, but the kids are clearly having an incredible time. They’re laughing and fitting in and trying new things.

Maybe Clay’s right and I’ve spent too much time sitting on the sidelines. I need to act.

No more putting my future in others’ hands. No more silently waiting on the design firm to investigate what happened with Brad.

I’m going to request an update on my leave and remind them I had nothing to do with the fraud.

I pull open a new email message and address it to the head of HR.

A few minutes later, I take a deep breath and hit Send.

17

CLAY

“We’ve got movement.” My agent’s voice comes over the crackling phone.

“Tell me.” The sun bakes my neck as I pace from my car to the office building. It’s a fair distance from my condo, but I have a solid reason for making the drive.

“There’s interest from Phoenix. And Boston.”

“That’s it?” I yank open the door and stalk to the stairwell. I don’t want to be seen in the elevator, though staff are discreet. Normally, I’ll tolerate requests for selfies and autographs, but not today.

“Last week, I would’ve said yes. But I just got a call from LA.”

My grip tightens. “And?”

“They’re interested. They caught the game, plus some workout tape.”

I take the stairs two at a time. Even the four flights won’t have me breaking a sweat. The benefits of fitness and all. “How’d they get that?”

“I sent it to them.”

At the top, I step into the main hallway and stop in front of a hardwood door with a brass plaque on the front.

“They make Harlan an offer?” I ask.

“Not yet. I think they want to see how the preseason shakes down and how your knee holds up.”

I grimace.Wait and see.It’s management’s favorite setting. As if basketball is some comprehensible system and all the unknowns will become clear with just a little more time.

“Maybe they’re concerned you’re not back to a hundred percent. That the injury’s going to flare up.”

“They’re wrong.”

“Course they are. They want to watch a few games, that’s all.”

I click off.

The twinge of discomfort I felt in our first game was back in practice today. Not that I told anyone. I played through it, and I’ll keep playing through it.

A text appears on my phone from Nova with one word:

Done.

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