I don’t answer, because the truthful number is: all of them.
Including me.
Pierce goes on, “We’re not looking for perfect right now. We’re looking for honest. Your medicals will matter. Our staff will evaluate you. But I’m here because the upside is real.”
My heart beats once, heavy.
Carter taps the table. “Told you.”
I glance at Carter. “You told me you were gonna embarrass me in front of a coach.”
Carter grins. “Still true.”
Pierce’s gaze doesn’t leave my face. “You’ve been through a lot. Injury. Personal circumstances.”
My jaw tightens.
Carter’s expression shifts—just slightly. Less cocky. More real.
Pierce says, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
The words are simple. Clean. Not the kind of pity that makes you want to crawl out of your skin.
But it still makes something in me ache.
“Thanks,” I manage.
Pierce nods once, then moves on like he respects that grief is not a conversation he gets to lead. “Like I said in my message, we want you in camp. Not a guarantee. An opportunity.”
My spine straightens.
Carter leans forward like he’s watching a two-minute drill.
Pierce says, “We want you in camp. Not a guarantee. An opportunity.”
I stare at him.
A week ago, the idea of “camp” felt like something from another life. Now it’s sitting across from me in a booth with a water ring on the table.
Pierce continues, “Our receiver room is competitive. You know that. But we believe you can earn reps if your body holds. You’ll have to pass a physical. You’ll have to be ready to work. And you’ll have to decide.”
My mouth is dry. “Decide what?”
Pierce’s eyes sharpen. “Whether you’re coming.”
Carter glances at me likehere we go.
Pierce reaches into his jacket pocket and slides a card across the table. Plain. Professional. A number printed on it. A name. No fluff.
“Here’s the timeline,” Pierce says. “I’m giving you two weeks.”
Two weeks.
The words make my stomach drop and lift at the same time.
“Two weeks,” I repeat, mostly to make sure I heard him right.
Pierce nods. “Two weeks. Talk to your people. Talk to your doctors. Get your head straight. Then you call me. Yes or no.”
