Page 55 of What are the Risks
Our team manager loomed over me, casting me in shadow. “Media are waiting for you and Coach.”
Talking to the media was always the last thing I wanted to do after a loss, but unfortunately it came with the job.
I sighed. “Got it. I’ll hit the showers.”
Back in freshman year, when I was called up for my first interview, I’d been a nervous wreck. Now, I considered myself a seasoned pro. Sometimes I could even anticipate the question before it was asked. They became predictable after a while.
“I need someone to lick my wounds,” Kyler grumbled.
Pat scoffed. “There’ll be slim pickings here.”
The game had ended late, so we were staying in enemy territory for one more night. I wished we could head straight home. I wanted nothing more than to crash and rot in my own bed.
“That’s why you fly your girlfriend down,” Brady said before gesturing my way. “Or have a cheerleader on call.”
The cheerleaders had travelled with the team. Gretchen had slipped into my DMs before the game, wishing me luck. I knew that door was still open if I wanted to knock it down. Did I?
“Nah.” Evan dragged his hand through his hair, which somehow still looked good despite having been stuck under a sweaty helmet for the last four hours. “Ryker’s got a crush.”
Brady frowned. “On who?”
“Ruby.”
I rolled my eyes. Here we went again.
We’d just lost an important game, and I was still being ragged on about my best friend. Evan must clearly be looking for a distraction. I guess I got it, because when I replayed the last four quarters, the frustration hit all over again.
Kyler leaned forward, resting his elbows on his padded thighs. “Must be a big crush for you to turn down that volleyball player. I saw her picture when I bought one of the energy drinks.Hotis an understatement.”
I didn’t feel bad for blowing off Miranda. She hadn’t hesitated jumping ship to Evan. I doubt she was even that into me, she was just looking for a good time.
I was also glad to have dodged the awkwardness that followed Evan, Miranda and Elizabeth at the shoot on the Monday. Without alcohol to numb their judgement, their Friday night activities had seemed much more brazen in the daylight.
I wanted to deny what the guys were saying – to argue that I didn’t have a crush on Ruby – but that wasn’t even close to what I countered back.
“She was flirting with me in Miami.”
“She was,” Evan agreed. “I’ll give you that. Until she barfed on your shoes.”
Brady’s wary eyes met mine. “That’s fucking dangerous for a multitude of reasons. A big one being she has a boyfriend.”
“Relax,” I groaned. “Ruby and I are just friends.”
God, if I had a dollar for every time I’d had to say those six exact words...
“Doesn’t mean you’re not attracted to her, moron,” Evan mumbled under his breath.
I didn’t need the reminder, especially before I fronted the media. My focus should’ve been on that, on what I’d say and how I’d diplomatically answer their questions without giving in to temptation and telling everyone to fuck right off.
“Why wasn’t Ruby with Noah?” Brady pressed.
I shrugged. “Beats me. He was busy or something.”
Whatever the truth, it didn’t matter. I didn’t have a crush on my best friend. I’d just seen her close to naked and it had rattled me. Nobody ever said guys were smart when it came to the female body. Boobs were literal fucking witchcraft.
“Speaking of the girl in question,” Evan said, signalling to my phone with a smug expression.
I didn’t even need to check to know that it was Ruby. She would be calling because she knew the score. If she hadn’t looked it up herself, either her parents or mine would have texted her by now.
