Page 59 of Unforgettable Player

“That was my boss in Palo Alto on the phone.”

Coach nods. He leans against the wall to let me know he’s in no rush.

“I don’t wanna go back to California.”

He nods.

“I was scouted, by a team in the ECHL.” My ears buzz with excitement. When I look over at Coach’s, he’s mirroring it.

“Are you gonna take them up on it? What was the contract?”

“I don’t know yet. It’s in Worcester. I know they’re kind of a rough team, but….”

But what? I’m gonna give up a good salary to play minor league hockey in Worcester?

Coach is just nodding, like of course I am, why wouldn’t I? I never used to fully understand why you’d fuck up your body and your life just to play, anywhere, for as long as possible. I thought if it wasn’t the NHL, it wasn’t worth it, but coaching these kids and seeing Coach’s reaction to the Worcester offer has me second guessing.

“I don’t know,” I say again. “Anyway, they want an answer in a couple of weeks.”

Coach slaps me on the shoulder, pushing off from the wall.

“You’ll figure it out. You’re a good player, Ryan. You might start out in the minor leagues, but it doesn’t mean you have to stay there forever.”

It’s a possibility, though. One I’ll have to seriously consider if I do give up my job to play hockey.

13

ELLIOT

I’m zoned out while I flip through the stacks at the record store. Scout’s talking about something beside me, but it must be one of those one-sided conversations where she doesn’t require a response. She doesn’t seem to notice I’m not listening.

“You’re not buying anything?” she asks when we get to the end of the row. She’s loaded up with records and my hands are empty.

“No, I didn’t see anything.”

“I’ll just pay for these.”

I linger by the door while she chats to the girl behind the counter.

Every time she looks at me, I feel guilty and can’t hold her gaze. What I did last night was terrible. It would devastate her if she knew I was hooking up with Connor.

A text comes through from him while I’m waiting, like I summoned him.

Can we do something later?

“Ready?”

I jump and hide my phone.

“Who are you texting?”

“No one. I was just scrolling.”

She gives me a skeptical look but doesn’t push it. I’m so not good at this sneaking around stuff.

Scout links her arm with mine when we get out onto the street.

“Bookstore?”