Page 103 of Play Dirty

“Look,” Sutherland said, already irritated. “I don’t owe you anything.”

“No,” I said. “You don’t.”

Another pause.

“But you’re going to talk anyway.”

Silence. Then—

A laugh.

Short. Sharp.

The kind of laugh that usually got someone punched in the mouth.

“Still think you run things over there?” he said.

I didn’t answer.

His tone shifted.

Colder.

“That your new goalie?” Sutherland said. “The kid?”

My brow furrowed.

“I can hear him breathing.”

Sebastian went still beside me.

“Put him on.”

He looked at me for a moment, then moved closer to the phone.

“It’s Sebastian,” he said, voice steady. “We played together a while back.”

A pause. Then—

“… don’t remember.”

Just like that.

I watched Sebastian’s jaw tighten. Watched the realization hit.

“Right,” Sutherland added. “You’re the one who replaced me.” He added a chuckle. “How’s that working out for you?”

Sebastian scowled. Luckily, he didn’t take the bait.

“You’re doing well,” he said carefully.

“Better than I was there,” Sutherland shot back.

“Funny how that works.”

The line crackled.

“You call to congratulate me?” he asked. “Or just waste my time?”