“Yup. My boyfriend’s still there. He’s graduating in April.”
“And he’s coming to join you, right? I’ve seen your stats, and I’d be surprised if you’re held in Lansing for longer than a coupleof years. Those major league wiv—partnerslive charmed fucking lives.”
I shake my head. “Nah. He’s an international student, so he can’t stay.” Besides, my major league potential, if I even have any, doesn’t change the fact that I’m not being paid a ton at this level. There’s no way I could support two people on my salary, unless I tried to swing an off-season coaching gig?—
“Man, sorry to hear it.” Solomon claps my shoulder again, which I’m learning is one of his signature gestures. “I can tell you have a good head on your shoulders, though. If your guy’s anything like you, things are gonna work out.”
Will they?It’s been a week, and even though Dean and I have been calling…semi-frequently, trying to find space between my training and his exam prep is tough. He’s excited to see me every time, but his eyes have started to look sad. More so than before, and the fact that he’s so obvious through the filter of a video call is distressing.
And then we haven’t managed to speak to each other at all in the last three days, save for a text here and there. God, I hate seeing him sad, and not being able to do anything about it fucking kills me.
Nope. Enough.
I have to stay focused on proving myself. Moping is for after-hours.
I go through a couple of conditioning drills with Jax, trying to force myself to stay motivated, and Solomon walks up after a while. He gathers me and Jax, an arm around our shoulders, and gets us to lean in.
“Calvin’s here,” Solomon whispers, referring to one half of the team’s executive couple. Out of curiosity, I flick my eyes over to the training ground gates, and sure enough, Calvin Smith has arrived, his clean-cut suit standing out amongst the crowd of sweaty, jersey-clad athletes. “He likes getting to know everyone the team signs, so you and Jax are in line to have a little chat with him.”
The color drains from Jax’s face—he looks like he’s about to shit his pants.
“Relax, man!” Solomon slaps his back. “He’s super chill. I bet he’s gonna get his exec assistant to schedule some time with you guys one-on-one after the afternoon break, so get showered and changed when that happens.”
As if on cue, Jax and my phones light up on the bench. Swallowing my nerves, I silently thank myself for not dressing like a total slob to practice today.
This waiting area is quieter than anywhere I’ve ever been before, and I amnotabout to make a fool of myself by fidgeting noisily. So I keep my muscles clenched, preventing myself from tapping my foot against the shiny linoleum floor of the practice facility’s executive office.
Then again, I’m alone—I don’t exactly have an audience. I showed up ten minutes early, which is a habit I’ve picked up from Dean, and while it’s good optics, waiting around is nerve-racking. Still as a statue, I shut my eyes, waiting for Calvin to show up and trying to distract myself from how I’malone. Staying completely motionless for longer than a few seconds is all but impossible for me. I compromise by running my hands along the coarse fibers that make up the inside of my jeans pockets, picking at the ridges with my fingertips and hoping I don’t accidentally rip anything.
And then I hear footsteps. I jerk my head to the side, following the noise, and Calvin walks up, giving me a smile.
“You’re early,” he says, and I nod. “Head on in. This won’t take long.”
Something about going into someone’s office before them doesn’t sit right with me, so I crack the door open and hold it for Calvin to walk in. He settles at the head of the dark wood conference table, motioning for me to take a seat a few chairs over from him, and I sink into the plush, cushioned fabric.
“So, Nick,” he starts, leaning back, “how’s the team been so far?”
“Really great,” I reply. “Everyone’s been welcoming, and I’m definitely getting used to the new dynamic here.”
“Awesome.” Calvin has a subtle southern drawl, and he drags the word out. “I’ve been keeping an eye on all of the new guys, and you’re goingreallyhard with practice.”
I chuckle. “For sure. Just trying to prove myself.”
His green eyes narrow, scrutinizing me. “Is that theonlyreason?”
Dear god.
“Am I that obvious?” I wonder out loud before checking myself. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have?—”
Calvin waves me off. “Don’t worry about it. But I want to make sure all the new guys get integrated as well as possible, so if there’s anything going on, you can feel free to tell me. I’m all ears.” He gestures at me to offer something up, so I shrug.
“I don’t know. My boyfriend has to leave the country in a matter of weeks, so unless you guys have a way to make that not happen…”
“We can definitely help with a spousal visa. We work on a ton of those every year.”
“Oh, we’re nowhere near the marriage stage.”Unfortunately.“He’s waiting to hear from a master’s program at Washtenaw, which would beperfect,but they aren’t moving fast enough.”
“They never do,” he says, rolling his eyes. “The dipshit university president is a lazy asswipe with a spending problem.”
