Page 73 of Shot Taker

“If you need a travel buddy, I’m there,” Brooke says before clicking off.

Nova looks up at me. “I’ve always wanted to see New York. Should I go?”

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend with her for the last two weeks.

But I’m not gonna crush this for her.

“Yeah,” I say. “Of course you should. You’d love Central Park. No flowers this time of year, but it’s still cool. And there’s skating at Rockefeller Center.”

She frowns, reading my hesitation. “Wait. When do you guys leave for your next road game?”

“Tuesday.”

Her face falls. “Oh.”

I tug her closer. “Go to New York with Brooke. Blow their minds.”

17

NOVA

“How did it go?” Brooke demands as I answer my cell on my way out of the gallery.

“Good and bad.” I exhale hard as I start along West 24th. “He asked about taking my pieces this summer, possibly for an entire exhibition.”

“That’s fantastic.”

I’ve never had someone sit me down and talk seriously about my career and future before. The gallery was small but beautiful, and the pieces on display blew my mind.

“But he only deals in sports art. I think I’d like to branch out.” I tug my collar closer to brace against the brisk wind.

“Brand is everything. You can attach yourself to this niche, Nova, then do whatever you want.”

The possibility is thrilling.

Growing up, I thought I saw the world by moving from place to place in a trailer. Now, I realize I only saw part of it: the landscapes and small towns, not the style and the wealth I’ve seen since I first came to Denver for my sister’s wedding.

It’s not better, only different.

I check the map to see how I get to our meeting point.

“Are you heading to Neiman Marcus?” she asks.

“Yeah. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

When I get to Brooke, she embraces me.

“One of the girls from my sorority works here.”

She introduces me, and the other woman reaches for my hand, displaying a huge diamond.

“Wow, you’re engaged?” Brooke asks.

“Mhmm. You seeing anyone special?”

Brooke tosses her hair. “I have a bunch of guys I’m testing.” She eyes up a few racks and mannequins and gestures to a bunch of items. “We want to try those.”

“I’m afraid we only have one VIP dressing room.”

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