Page 16 of Rookie Season
It’s not about you.
The reminder is kind of heartbreaking. I give my all to that place yet still feel as though I can’t make a difference beyond selling more beers. I can’t put my fingerprint on Mile High because it’s all about the team.
“Too much phone time for the holidays.” Clay’s over my shoulder as I hang up.
“So, Ryan’s the Christmas King and you’re the phone police?” I tease him.
The Kodiaks’ five-time all-star is intimidating to most people, but we’ve had him over for family dinner more than once.
“Something like that. Your dad?”
“Sure was.”
“How’s the bar?”
“It’s up and down.”
He opens his mouth, and I know it’s to offer help, so I lift a hand before he can say the words.
“You’ve done more than enough. As Dad always says, the Kodiaks winning is the best advertisement.” I send him a smile and head back out to the living room.
Ryan
Surprisingly, the girls tap out first. Our day is drawing to a close, and they’ve been talking a good game, but Chloe waves the flag.
“I’ve been busy keeping your asses out of trouble.” She points a finger around the group, then hides a yawn with her hand.
“We’re angels, Chlo,” Jay protests from the lounge chair. He’s rewarded with a dirty look.
My gaze lands on Sierra. It’s been drifting to her for hours, every time my attention wanders. She’s curled up in a beanbag chair as if she’s leaving the couch for the couples.
More than that, she’s preoccupied.
We’ve been up watching movies all night. Once in a while, we’ve checked in on the LA game, but the girls wouldn’t let us leave the TV there, saying it’s a holiday and there’s no basketball allowed.
I wonder what she’s thinking about.
“It is probably time,” Nova agrees, yawning.
Fuck. The sleepiness is contagious.
Clay’s hand threads through hers. No one in the entire NBA can bring our all-star to his knees faster than his pink-haired pixie of a wife.
I’m still humming with energy. We have to get the most out of our time here. “Come on, guys. The night is young. We can watch another one. Atlas?”
Our big man is an easy yes when it comes to group activities. He’s always down for an extra drink or social event.
“I’m going to call some family back home. It’s morning over there.” He rises and pads toward the stairs.
“Jay?”
“Nah.”
Miles and Brooke head upstairs.
I ignore them and wait a beat before pressing. “Sierra?”
If there’s a reasonable amount of hope for one guy to have about a woman saying she’ll hang out with him, I’ve exceeded it.
