Page 116 of Hail Marry
The impulse to shove him up against the wall burns in my veins, but I’m not going to give in to his provocation. It’s what he wants.
On the other hand, my life is already going down the drain. In all probability, I’ll be deported. Why not make good on the criminal record that got me here in the first place?
My fists ball up, and I force myself to take a step back before I make a decision I’ll regret. “Looks like you’ll get what you wanted. Hope you enjoy a starting position you didn’t earn, and I hope screwing up my wife’s life was worth it to you.” I turn away, my entire body pulsing with anger.
Just before I turn the corner, Bennett talks. “I didn’t do it.”
I stop, but I don’t look back.
“Yeah,” he says, “I’ve suspected you got married for a green card for a while now. But I didn’t call immigration on you.”
I turn around and look at him.
His gaze is clear as he meets mine. “Of course I want a starting spot, and yeah, I’m mad you got it, but I don’t want to get it back like that. The comments I’ve made about you and your wife?” He shrugs. “I’ve just been trying to get in your head. The mental game is as important as the physical one. We both know that.”
It’s quiet as we stare at each other. Bennett is a first-class punk, but I believe him.
I nod.
“Are you in trouble with immigration?” he asks.
I nod again.
“How much trouble?”
“I don’t know yet.”
He frowns. “You know, if you’re trying to figure out who reported you, I might have an idea who it was.”
I stare at him fixedly. “What do you mean?”
He lifts his shoulders. “A couple weeks ago, my dad and I went out to eat with one of the lawyers he works with. I forget his name, but he was asking me a lot of questions about you and your wife.” He gives a little chuckle. “I don’t think his fiancée liked it very much. I don’t blame her. He was kind of obsessive, and I got the sense he had some history with your wife. Anyway, maybe you saw him. He came to the last game with his fiancée and his doctor buddy.”
My heart beats more quickly. “Was his name Ryan?”
Bennett nods, narrowing his eyes. “Yeah, that was it. Anyway”—he shrugs a shoulder—“if anyone called, my money’s on him.”
I take a deep breath. I didn’t let myself even acknowledge Ryan at the game, but now I’m wishing I’d let him have it.
“For what it’s worth,” Bennett says, “this team is better with you on it.”
I shove away the thoughts of Ryan and look at Bennett. How much did it cost him to say that? I know a thing or two about saying tough words.
“Same to you,” I say.
“I hope it works out.” The corner of his mouth tips up, and that cocky look re-enters his eyes. “But if it does, know this: I’m coming for that starting spot.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “I hope I get the chance to fight you for it.”
Practicethe next day is different. The energy has shifted as we run drills, and it’s not just in my head.
“Whatever you guys are doing today,” Coach Tate says to all seven of us afterward, “keep it up.”
Bennett and I meet eyes, but his face is impassive. He’s competitive as ever, but there’s a level of understanding between us now that allows for better collaboration. I just wish I was going to be around long enough to see it through.
The next day is our day off, and I intend to spend every second of it with Tori. The feeling at the house is a strange mixture of complete elation and the weight of an unknown future.
We’re on our way to get groceries when I tell her what Bennett said about Ryan.
