Page 20 of (La)Crosse My Heart

“The position is open, if you’re interested.” He laughs, and I have to turn away so he doesn’t see my red cheeks. The fact that my brain is a traitor and keeps calling up visuals of Clark without a shirt is making this even more uncomfortable.

“I’m good. I’m dating my work now.”

He laughs again. “Um, I don’t remember you asking me out, but I accept.”

I widen my eyes as my stomach drops. Why am I bumbling every bit of this today?

“Back to your closet,” I say, trying to buy me some time, “You need at least one or two good suits, a few pairs of slacks, and polos. I’d recommend some better shoes, too.” I bend over to pick up one of the “dress shoes” in his closet, holding it up before him. There are scuffs and scratches on both, with even a hole at the front of one, making it open a lot like a duck’s bill.

“What’s wrong with those? I’ll just get some tape and put it back together.”

I close my eyes, trying to breathe in and out before I say something I might regret.

“You’re a professional athlete, Clark. You need to look more put together than just rolling off the field.”

He’s quiet for a long moment and then says, “Fine. I might as well get this taken care of so you’ll stop bugging me about it.”

“The question is, what do you want, Clark? If you’re fine the way things are, I’ll go back to my boss and let her know you’d rather not be the face of the team. That you want to continue working at the fire station instead of having an opportunity to devote more time to your craft.”

At least five emotions flicker across his face at that.

“No, I want to do this. Need to do this.” He looks more determined than I’ve seen him since I got here.

“Okay, let’s get to the store, then.” I walk to the door.

“Right now?” he says, his words coming out choked.

I shrug. “You don’t have practice for another four hours, right? Unless you have something urgent you need to be to before then, we might as well get this done.”

“I’ll meet you outside. I’m driving though.”

I grin at him. “Not going to happen, Denton.”

9

Clark

We’re at the mall and I’m wishing there was a camera in my face asking all the questions instead of enduring the endless lineup of clothing.

Okay, maybe that’s too far.

I’ve never been a great dresser, but I didn’t need to be when playing sports. Most of the time at school, I was coming from some training or lifting to get to my other classes, so it was easier to shower and throw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

“Favorite colors?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Isn’t it normal to have one favorite?”

“You won’t wear the same color every day for the rest of your life.”

“That’s true. Blue and orange.”

She wrinkles her nose a bit and says, “I don’t think that’s the best combination. Maybe separately?” I don’t realize she’s not talking to me until she turns around and walks into the mall.

I trail behind her, wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. But this will all be worth it, right? I need to keep remindingmyself that, even when I’m in the changing room at the third store.

Coach Martin asking me to be team captain is a big deal, and maybe it’s vain to want to have that honor. But I feel like I’ve worked hard ever since I made it to the league, and I want to show him I’m up to the task. Now I need to get my fear under control so I can do this.

The hardest part about all of this is that I used to be pretty good at interviews. Then one idiot had to go ruin it.

---