Page 6 of The Transfer
Trey and Mackenzie started dating when we were freshmen in high school. They have one of those childhood sweethearts, love-of-a-lifetime stories. But the past few years have proven difficult as Trey becomes a college superstar and transitions into the NHL for a professional career. He receives a great deal of attention from brands, social media, and, of course, jersey-chasing females. They are sticking through it together, but I don’t know how she does it.
“I’m sorry, Mack. Anything you need to talk about?” I can tell she’s holding back.
“I just worry, you know? He’s going to the NHL, and I’m going to be a teacher. He is going to be a celebrity, and I’ll be in front of twenty kids every day. We’re drifting apart, and I’m scared. He tells me I’m being crazy, but I have a weird feeling about it. Something is just a little off.”
And there it is. She’s feeling insecure, and dating an athlete can make that worse—at least that’s what I’ve seen with her and Trey. In the past, he’s been so good about reassuring her.
“Don’t ignore your feelings. Talk to him. Just know you are more than enough for Trey. He loves you, and you love him. You are beautiful, intelligent, and have a heart of gold! You go to every home hockey game and have moved across the country to support his dream.”
“Thanks, Rea. I needed to hear that. I’m sure we will work through it. We always do.” She sounds relieved, like what I said gave her permission to take a deep breath for the first time in a while.
“Always! I love you, and I miss you so much…”
My words stop as I watch Riggs walk into the gym. Did I mention shirtless? My brain is mush. All I can see is him, and by him, I mean his abs. I start counting, 1, 2, 3 ….my word,there are eight! I think I’m going to melt into a puddle on this treadmill. Death by shirtless basketball player.
Being the only two in the room, he walks over. “Hey, Sunshine.” And that voice, raspy and deep, does something to me.
I suddenly hear Mack. “Reagan, who is that?”Shoot. I’m not prepared to talk about him. Mack will not let it go until she gets every last detail.
“Sorry, I gotta go…”
“Reagan Elizabeth, is that a man?”
I don’t hear the rest because I end the call before my friend says anything else. I’ll be paying for that later.
“Hey, Riggs, I didn’t know you were here.” I do my best to keep my eyes on his, but he is looking at me so intensely that I can’t. And hello…abs.
He gives me a little smirk, and I’m done for. “Yeah. I like to get some shots up in the morning to start my day off right. Why are you in the team facility?”
His tone is curious but also a little rude. That arrogant basketball player stereotype flashes through my mind, so I give him a little attitude back. “Don’t worry, Jake said I can be here. He gave me my own key so I don’t have to deal with the student rec center.”
His eyebrows rise in amusement as he holds his hands up in front of him in surrender. “I wasn’t going to tattle on you. I just heard talking and wanted to make sure everything was okay. I’ll let you get back to it.”
He walks away, and before I can think, my mouth opens. “Do you want to shoot together? Maybe we can play PIG or something?” My cheeks go pink, and I immediately regret saying anything.
I can see questions in his eyes, and several emotions cross his face as he thinks about his decision. It’s almost as if he wants to, but he’s trying to find a way to say no. It’s odd and quite confusing.
Finally, with a little scowl, he says, “Fine. But I’m not taking it easy on you.”
I nod, giving him a sly smile. This guy has no idea who he’s messing with, and I can’t wait to shoot him right out of the gym.
FIVE
REAGAN
We walk into the practice gym together, and the sight never gets old. Freshly polished floors with the orange and blue CTU Titans logo in the center. The walls are covered with championship banners. The last one was well over twenty years ago and came courtesy of my dad. Walking into this gym always feels like home.
“I love it here,” I say without really thinking. I struggle to filter myself around this guy, and that is dangerous for my awkward self, especially when he avoids getting close to me in any way.
Riggs nods. “I think I’ve spent more time on a court than anywhere else.” Which is probably true. Basketball is a daily, year-round thing, especially if you want to make it to this level.
Nodding, I look at him. “I’m sure. Jordan would probably say the same. So, uh, what drills do you have left? I can rebound for you.”
Running his hand through his dark hair, he says, “I’m actually done with drills. So we can just play PIG. I have a little time for one game.”
I don’t know what it is about Riggs. Physically, he is smoking hot, but after our initial meeting, he has been quite standoffish toward me,which makes this whole interaction strained. My curiosity about him gets the better of me, and I agree. “Sounds good, but I’ll warn you, I’m a great shooter.”
“Is that so?” Riggs looks at me with a wicked grin that I bet gets him whatever he wants with the ladies.Not this lady.
