Page 57 of Even Exchange

‘No matter where I end up, we can’t lose this.’

His words echo in my mind. I promised him we wouldn’t, but 2,500 miles is a hell of a trek for afriend.

Noah’s leg brushes mine as he rearranges the remaining hats on the table before settling back on the couch. On his other side, Luna leans over, whispering in his ear, and he nods.

“What excuse do we have to go to the city of babes now?” Theo asks.

“I think you mean the city ofangels,” Andi responds.

“The only angel I need is you,” Theo says, winking at her.

“Barf!” Andi replies with a mock gag. “Your game is lacking.”

“You love it,” Theo tells her.

“Knock it off, Schroeder,” Coach Porter says, and Theo throws up his hands.

“Buzzzzzkilllll,” Andi tells Coach Porter, chucking a pillow at him.

Noah clutches his phone in his hand, his eyes bouncing between it and the TV. The Seattle Grizzlies are currently making their selection, and the Tampa Barracudas are next.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

The room goes silent.

Noah stares down at his screen and blinks. Tony, standing behind the couch, places a hand on his shoulder and says, “Answer it.”

Noah takes a deep breath, accepts the call, and holds the phone to his ear as he clutches Luna’s hand tightly. “Noah Caruso.” All the teasing and talking comes to a halt as we try to overhear what’s being said on the other end without success. “Yes sir.”

More silence as all fifty of us stare at him, holding our breath.

“Yes sir.” Noah smiles up at Tony, who starts grinning too. “Absolutely, it would be an honor.” Noah clears his throat and squeezes his mom’s hand harder. “Yes sir. See you Monday.”

Noah hangs up, brushing his cheek with his hand. He places his phone on the coffee table and stands up, looking around at his old teammates, closest friends, and family. His eyes connect with mine for a moment, and my entire body vibrates with nerves.Please don’t be Seattle.

Noah shakes his head and laughs. “Looks like you’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Goosebumps cover my body as he crouches in front of Luna, who beams with pride, and takes her hands. “Guess what,Mamma?” His voice trembles as the rest of us hold our breath. “I’m gonna be a Tampa Barracuda.”

We jump to our feet, and the room erupts in hoots and hollers. Noah throws an arm around me, pulling me close, relief filling me at his touch as the rest of our friends barrel over. Desmond places a white-and-turquoise Barracudas hat on Noah’s head, and Noah glances at me with the brightest smile I’ve ever seen.

He was so worried about not having control where he ended up. Looks like all that dandelion wishing paid off.

12

NOAH

The aroma of recently cut grass paired with acrylic paint infiltrates my senses. The air lacks the typical musk of a hundred sweaty athletes pushing their bodies to the limit.

The stillness is the most jarring part. Ninety-thousand seats surround me, and not a single one filled. Not a shout, a cheer, a “screw you.” Just absolute silence aside from the turf crunching beneath my feet as Sean Bexley, my new head coach, and I walk towards the giant white fish in the center of the field.

Tampa Barracudas’ stadium.

My new home.

For as long as they’ll have me, anyways.

“What do you think, Caruso?” Coach Bexley asks, raking a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair.

“Hell of a view,” I reply, still in awe.

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