Page 24

Tenny

If Shane got arrested, he’d find a way to make the cops apologize to him.

Trevor

That’s not funny.

Rhett

It’s a little funny.

Colton

Should we send him the video?

Tenny

I feel like that would only encourage violence.

Trevor

Don’t.

Colton

Sent.

Trevor

We need to focus on maintaining our winning streak, not viral videos. The Admirals are going to be aggressive tonight.

Tenny

Aye, aye, Captain.

Trevor

There are no captains in baseball.

Rhett

O Captain! My Captain!

Trevor

Maybe Shane has the right idea by ignoring the group chat.

Chapter 8

Willow

“Just keep your head up. Something will work out,” I mutter the following Tuesday while washing a finicky cocker spaniel at the vet clinic.

The last few days have felt like I’m on the receiving end of a cosmic beatdown. Either that, or I’m the epicenter of a very unfunny joke. The assistance program I applied for to help with medical supplies and insulin fell through because of some obscure technicality. My twelve applications to other coffee shops have gone unanswered. And I was evicted from my adorable studio apartment because the historic building was sold to a developer who plans to gut it and build garish condos. I have until Friday to move out.

But, upside, I won’t have to pay rent if I’m sleeping in my car.

All day, I’ve been avoiding Delilah because I know if she finds out about any of this, she’ll insist I live with her. Having more time to spend with my bestie and her incredible family would be great, but she’s in the middle of a dual kitchen and bathroom renovation. Having one more person living in her active-jobsite-of-a-home would only add undue stress to her life.