“If you know anything about them selling, just say it.”
“Hmph. Well, if youmustknow, when I was talking to the family yesterday, they were saying there were two groups interested in buying the team. Both of whom are interested in seeingyoungerplayers on the field.”
“Nobody on the team is over thirty,” Rosa scoffed, but I kept my eyes narrowed on Renee.
“It was a nice play to get Kean to do the auction. But having his PA bid on him so he doesn’t actually have to do anything is kinda cheating, don’t you think?”
“That’s not —” I started to say, hackles raised, but stopped myself. If Renee thought I bid on Olli so he didn’t have to do any more social interactions than hehadto, then that was for the best.
“If you haven’t gotten too attached to Kean, I’ll recommend you as a PA for Lunez. He’s too young for evenyouto consider sleeping with, right? I know old habits die hard, though.” Renee giggled, giving me a small wave before taking off.
“God, she’s like a walking movie villain,” Rosa scoffed when the door closed behind Renee. “Like those evil college girl groups.”
“You mean sorority girls?”
“Yeah, those. Were you in one? Because I have questions.”
“Ugh, unfortunately I was. But wait, are there not sororities in Ecuador?”
While what Renee said lingered in the back of my mind, I was happy to be distracted by explaining Greek life and rushing to Rosa. The team being sold had to be a problem for another day. Besides, Renee was the kind of bitch to exaggerate anyway, there was probably no truth to what she said.
A Chat with the Captain
Olli
Ifinished washing up after practice about ten minutes ago and was waiting for Christenson to wrap up with Coach so I could have a turn getting his advice.
“Dude, what’re you still doing here?” Brooker asked, stepping out from the shower, towel wrapped around his waist.
“I’m waiting to talk with Christenson. Why’d you take such a long shower?”
“Perfection takes time,” he said, gesturing to his body. I rolled my eyes, wishing I still had my towel to smack him with. “But if you’re waiting for our dear old captain, you’re gonna be waiting a hell of a lot longer. I think he got pulled into a meeting with the owners.”
“Fuck,” I hissed.
“What? Are you actually worried about them selling?”
“Aren’t you? Depending on who they sell to, our team could end up changing a lot.”
Brooker shrugged and sat down beside me. “It could. But the team’s kinda stagnant in terms of financial growth. A new owner could bring in new resources, a fresh perspective, and it’d give us the chance to renegotiate our contracts.”
“Why’reyoubeing the sensible one?” I asked, suspicious thatBrookerwas presenting a logical outlook of all people.
“My agent said all that shit to me when I told her about the rumors,” he said, shrugging with a small chuckle before nudging me. “But forget about that shit, it’s not nearly as important as what happened with you and Kodi this weekend.”
“Nothing happened.” I tried to shrug, but heat crept up the back of my neck as I thought about Kodi.
“Bullshit. I helped you out, you can at least tell me if you’re a couple now. And if you’re being coy cause youaren’ttogether yet, I gotta say I’m disappointed in you. There’s no way she isn’t into you, not with how jealous she looked with all those chicks bidding on you.”
“It’s … more complicated than just liking each other.” It actually felt bad to lie to Brooker. Over the last month, he’d gone from an annoying teammate to an annoying friend. Sure, he liked to fool around and be the equivalent of a class clown, but he did commit to helping everybody, me included.
“If it’s about her being your PA, then we can ask Hansen to move her to me.”
“Like hell would I have her be your PA,” I grumbled.
“Dude, have some confidence.” He patted me on the back. “She made it pretty damn clear she’s only interested in you. Nothing’s gonna change that unless you turn into a grumpy asshole again.”
The door opened and both our heads snapped up to see an exhausted Christenson. He looked at us and let out anexasperated sigh. “Please tell me y’all are behaving and not picking on each other.”
