Page 65 of Rookie Season
“Mile High can’t close tonight.” Dad’s voice brings me back to earth. “We’ve been open every Christmas for twenty years.”
I rip my gaze from Ryan, blinking as I pace the treeline. “It’s Christmas, Dad. Can’t they live without their Miller Lites for one night?”
He sighs. “Honey, I know you have friends on that team, but we’re not like them. We don’t get nights off. We keep the lights on.”
Ryan
“That’s the last of it?”
“Thank fuck. There’s no way we’re all going to fit,” Jay says under his breath.
“Get cozy. It is the season.”
“Was that the best pre-Christmas getaway or what?” I say proudly.
“Stranded at a cabin, weird gift exchange, almost got eaten by a bear,” Atlas lists off deadpan.
“I wouldn’t say we almost got eaten,” Miles weighs in.
I wait them out. “So?”
“It was good, Rookie,” Clay decides.
The other guys grudgingly agree.
“But you’re still doing media for a month.”
I throw up my hands, but honestly, I can live with that.
It’s Christmas.
We’re going to be home in time for the game.
The girl I’ve been into for forever finally admitted she’s going to give it a try.
Things are looking up.
Sierra taps me on the shoulder as I’m about to shift into the car. “Hey. Can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Sure.”
The guys are locked in a conversation about how to arrange their legs, so I step outside and shut the door behind me.
“I’ll make sure you get a killer seat tonight.” I grin. “VIP treatment for my lucky charm.”
She doesn’t smile. Instead, she looks a little sick.
I’m instantly concerned. “What’s up?”
“I can’t come to the game tonight.”
As fast as my mood had risen, it crashes. “Why not?”
She shoves her hands in her back pockets. “I have to work.”
“You can take one night off. It’s not that hard.”
“Maybe for you. You have a huge contract. The world isn’t the same for you as it is for me.” She looks around, past me. “This was a bad idea.”
