Page 58 of Even Exchange

It’s not my first time here. But there’s something different knowing come fall, I’ll be in this stadium—running on this field—in front of ninetythousandfans.

Knowing my entire life, every practice, every sacrifice, every painful injury, brought me here.

“That it is,” Coach Bexley says as we cross the field toward the locker rooms. “I’ve seen what you can do, and I’ll admit, even I’m impressed. But you still have room to grow.”

“Absolutely,” I respond, not allowing my ego to be bruised. “There’s always room for improvement.”

“Training camp starts in July, and I expect you to be physically ready. You’ll receive an email this week with a suggested training regimen and diet.”By suggested, he means mandatory.“Mentally, this will be a big transition. We have team therapists if you need someone to speak to.”

“Got it,” I say, trying to retain all the information as we pass the field goal posts and enter the tunnel.

“There are a few events over the summer that aren’t required, but your presence would definitely be appreciated.”Appreciated also means mandatory.“You’ll get all that information too,” he tells me, turning the corner. I follow beside him and a body slams into my chest, eliciting a groan. I reach out my arms, steadying the assaulter, and look into the eyes of a flustered redhead. Afamiliarredhead.

“Watch where you’re—” She cuts herself off. “Noah?”

“Hey… you,” I say, tone full of surprise, her name not coming to mind. She bought me a drink at Ken’s Karaoke, but I headed back to the hotel before anything happened, and we didn’t exchange numbers.

“Hannah,” she reminds me, a smile creeping on her face.

“Right,” I say. “Hannah.”

“Mind taking your hands off my daughter?” Coach Bexley says, and I glance from him to my hands and yank them away.

“Sorry, sir.”

“You okay, Pumpkin?” he asks her.

“Fine,” she says, rolling her eyes and cocking her head at him.

Coach Bexley turns his attention to me. “How do you know one another?”

My eyes bounce between them. “We me?—”

“We met when I visited Shannon at CBU a few weeks ago,” Hannah says, and I try not to display my confusion as she and I certainly know that isnottrue. “Anyways, are you almost ready to go, Dad? I’m starving.”

“Sure. I think we’re finished here.” He pats his pockets. “I’ve gotta grab my wallet in my office. I’ll be right back.”

He walks away, and once out of earshot, Hannah snaps her gaze to me. “Sorry, he didn’t know I was in Miami for spring break.”

“Not my business,” I say.

“So you’re my father’s next victim, I see,” she teases.

“Looks that way.”

“Good.” She smiles, eyes dropping down my body like I might behernext victim.No, thanks.Coach Bexley turns the corner, and I blow out a sigh of relief.

“Guess I’ll see you around?” I say as he nears.

“Hope so,” she says, biting her lip.

“Okay, now I’m ready,” Coach Bexley says. “See you soon, Caruso.”

“Yes sir.”

* * *

Desmond secures the cover over the pool table as I mount the cue stick holder to the wall of my new house. Staying in the Baller Pad with the boys didn’t make sense after graduating, and I have zero interest in getting home from long practice days to a kegger in my living room. I began looking for a new house months ago, and as soon as the signing bonus from the Barracudas dropped in my account, I put in an offer.

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