Page 21 of Arrogant Puck

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I hesitate. “He already said no.”

“So, change his mind.”

He walks away before I can respond.

Slater’s in the weight room. Same rack. Same hoodie. Same rhythm like violence.

I wait for him to finish his set.

“Hey,” I say, quiet but not timid. “I have to ask again about the eval.”

He doesn’t look at me. “Still no.”

“Okay.”

I turn to leave.

He speaks without turning. “That’s all?”

I pause. His tone catching me off guard.

He grabs the towel from the bench, slings it over his shoulder, and turns slowly toward me.

“Not even gonna fight for it?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Riley begs.”

“I’m not going to beg,” I reassure him.

I turn to walk again.

His voice drops low—sharp as a blade. “I thought you people care most about an athlete’s well-being?”

I stop.

“I think you’re a grown man who can make his own decisions,” I reassure him as professionally as I can, meeting his eye.

He’s unreadable. Cold. But something flashes across his face.

I just nod once and walk away.

My hands are shaking when I walk out, but my spine stays straight the whole way out.

I go to Riley’s office. He’s at his desk, scribbling something on a clipboard, frowning like he always does when he’s multitasking.

“He won’t do it,” I say.

Riley looks up. “Slater?”

I nod. “Didn’t even let me finish the question.”

He exhales through his nose, scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Fucking Castellano.”

“I can try again later,” I offer, though I already know it’ll go the same way.

Riley shakes his head. “It’s not on you. He’s impossible. Always has been.”

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