“And the pick is in,” the commissioner says into the microphone. “With the first pick in the draft, the California Cougars select Dylan Wild.”
The crowd noise is deafening with cheers and clapping. Colton grabs Dylan in a hug, and I pound on his back with my fist.
“You did it, Wild! Congrats, man.”
Dylan reaches out an arm and pulls me into the hug.
It feels like the end of an era. The second Dylan’s name is called, it all becomes real. College is definitely over, and professional life is about to start.
Dylan’s parents and brother half-heartedly congratulate him, and I can’t help thinking Colton was right when he said Dylan’s family isn’t the kind any kid would wish for.
But Dylan’s too big to be held down by anyone. He strides across the room and up to the stage. He shakes the commissioner’s hand and dons a Cougars’ cap.
Colton watches the scene play out on the stage. “He fucking did it.”
Dylan stops at the end of the stage for an interview, and then he’s whisked off to the media room.
“His whole life is about to blow up,” I say to Colton. “Think you’ll be able to keep up with him?”
He flashes me that cocky Colton grin. “You bet.”
My little brother, Dougie, calls to me, and I go pick him up. Colton and I hang out with our families for what feels like fucking-forever as we wait for our names to be called.
“Man, this is getting stressful,” Colton mutters as the first round ticks past the halfway point. “My mom will freaking panic if I don’t get chosen tonight.”
“You will,” I say. “We both will.”
Five minutes after that, the Cougars use their second pick in the first round—thanks to a trade—to select, “Colton Wild!”
His cousins and best friend and mom mob him before I can even congratulate him.
I smile at the scene they’re causing. And then, I’m pulled into the group hug.
“You’re next,” Colton tells me as he eventually breaks free.
I slap his back. “We’ll see. I’m proud of you, Wild. Go meet the commish.”
“We’ll see you after,” he calls back as he heads for the stage.
Turns out, I don’t have to wait long.
Chicago is up next, and the pick is in within the first minute.
“…Chicago selects Maverick Court!”
Thank God and shit run through my head simultaneously. My dad gives me a thumbs-up, and my brothers scream their bloody heads off. I’m fucking relieved to be picked, but I’m also thinking—
How can I move two thousand miles away?
“Don’t worry,” Dad whispers as I bend down to hug him. “This is your dream, Mav. You did it. Go make us proud.”
I’m going to try like hell to do just that.
Chapter Two
One Month Later
Hannah
