Page 52 of Line Change

The producer checks the first card. “What does Nolan order when he gets coffee?”

“An apology to his bloodstream,” Anton calls from across the room.

“Disqualified,” Bobby says.

“Still not playing.”

I look into the camera and hold up a hand. “For legal reasons, Anton has never seen me consume more than the recommended daily amount of caffeine.”

“You had two coffees before the plane took off last road trip,” Sindre says.

“Those were travel coffees. Different rules.”

Pope writes without hesitation. Bobby thinks for another second, then hunches over his board so nobody can see. The producer waits until he presses it to his chest. “Answers.”

They flip them around.

LARGE COFFEE, TWO SUGARS is written on both.

“Point for each of you.” The producer looks at my questionnaire. “That’s exactly what Nolan put.”

Bobby marks the scores before she can stop him. He gives himself a much larger tally than Pope gets.

“Same point,” I say.

“Home-ice advantage.”

I reach across him and fix Pope’s tally. Bobby tries to block me with his shoulder, which turns it into a brief wrestling match over the whiteboard. The producer tells us both to sit down. Behind the camera, somebody starts chanting my name until Caleb tells him to shut up.

Pope shifts his stool back into place with his foot. Our knees meet. I start to move mine, but he presses back. I leave it there.

The producer lifts the next card. “What does Ben eat when he wants food late at night?”

Bobby makes a sound like he’s just been handed the championship. He starts writing.

That answer is too easy.

I write DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER + FRIES and turn the board facedown on my thigh.

“No coaching,” Bobby says.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face did.”

Pope finally looks at me. His face stays blank for the camera, but the back of his knuckle presses against my leg between the stools.

“Answers,” the producer says.

Bobby has written CHICKEN AND RICE.

He sees mine and frowns. “Since when?”

Pope turns his board around. CHEESEBURGER.

“That’s a point for Nolan.”

“No.” Bobby points from my answer to Pope. “Look at him. This man eats chicken and rice.”