Page 48 of Winter Break Up

But again, these are things we’re not touching with a ten-foot pole, and I’m not about to ruin the last good year we have if this is all I get.

21

MERCER

When Tim set up a meeting of sorts for me in the city, I was reluctant to take it.

It’s so close to Christmas, which means getting into Manhattan will be a nightmare. With only days left until the holiday, I don’t want to leave the Palmers high and dry for employees. Getting home late to Grandpa, when I’m the one who normally makes sure he eats dinner and takes his pills while I’ve been home on break, isn’t ideal either.

Then there is the fact I only have so many more days left with Emily, and the countdown clock in my head seems to chime with doom every hour I lose.

But I know it would be a mistake not to meet with these soccer legends, some of whom have been absolutely lighting up the league the past couple of seasons. So, into the city I trudge, to some fancy bar that will leave me feeling out of sorts and stodgy.

While I love a party every once in a while, especially the warm weather, outdoor ones in Miami, I want to be close to home during this break. Moving in the massive crowd of people clogging Manhattan this week isn’t exactly ideal, but I pull open the door of the restaurant and lounge Tim gave me the address of.

A gust of heat hits my face as I transition from the frigid temps outside, and I unwind my scarf as I look around.

The three guys from the pro team in New York wait for me at a table near the back. You can hear the buzz around them, with every patron in the bar’s eyes swinging to them every few seconds. They sit oblivious, or maybe they’re just used to it, as they laugh at some joke one of them told.

Carter Prax is one of the best goalies in the league and has a record number of clean sheets. Theodore Klein is a hotshot striker who has deals with top sportswear brands; you can’t travel into most cities without seeing his shirtless billboards. Then there is Dominic Yates, a living legend rumored to retire next year.

These guys are American soccer royalty and even won a world championship for our country a few years back. Meanwhile, they agreed to meet with me about my future. It feels surreal, and being in their presence makes me happy I agreed to come.

“Mercer, man, nice to meet you.” Carter stands and ushers me over.

I shake their hands as we introduce ourselves, and Theo pours me a glass from the bottle of scotch they ordered. It goes down with a burn that’s smooth at the same time, and I relax into the velvet bar stools they’ve commandeered.

“So, you’re the young blood that’s going to take my job, huh?” Theo smirks.

His bluntness surprises me, though it shouldn’t. I’ve heard this about him. And while he’s brash, I’ve heard he’s also a genuinely nice guy, so I grin at him and say, “Yep.”

Carter chuckles. “Watch yourself, Theo. You’ll be an old man like me soon.”

“Never.” He smirks again and gulps the rest of his scotch.

“It’s a long shot you’ll be signed by New York, anyway.” Dominic regards me. “We don’t have the budget right now. Plus, you were passed over in the draft.”

“Was trying to go number one,” I confirm.

“Not with that injury.” Carter gives me a sympathetic nod.

“Hey, don’t kick the kid when he’s already down.” Theo looks affronted by his teammate. “You could still get signed.”

I shrug it off. “I’m trying. A lot of people didn’t even think I’d make it this far, so I’m just doing what I can to play the sport I love.”

Dominic’s eyebrow wings up. “I like that attitude.”

“Tim said you were a good one, now I can see why. Keep that attitude in the league and it’ll suit you well,” Carter advises.

“Shit, I almost peed my pants on draft day. I didn’t want to play overseas and knew that American soil was where I wanted to play. When I got the call I’d been drafted, I think I passed out on my mom’s couch.” Theo full-out laughs.

“You been working with Tim? Your private trainer? That’s important if you want to get to the next level,” Dominic asks.

“Stop grilling him, old man. Jeez, you two. Let’s get the kid drunk, take him to a members’ only club. Maybe grab some dancers, some girls, light this evening up.” Theo rubs his hands together.

“You do realize it’s three days from Christmas and I have kids to go home to, right?” Dominic rolls his eyes.

Theo grins in my direction. “But I don’t. You only live once, as they say.”

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