“It didn’t show.”
She sits on the bench across from me. “We have a few more tryouts to run. Other cities. Other players.” She pauses. “But I wanted you to know - you’re on their short list.”
Oh my god….
“That doesn’t mean you’ve made the team. It means they’re considering.” She tilts her head. “Can you be patient?”
“I’ve been patient my whole life,” I say. “I can wait a little longer.”
Sofia smiles. “That’s what I hoped you’d say.”
You’re on our short list.
Not “you made the team.” Not “congratulations.” Butshort list. Which means I’m still one bad skate away from nothing. Still one decision away from watching someone else take the spot.
I should feel excited. Iamexcited.
But mostly I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something I’ve wanted my whole life, and I can’t quite believe the ground is going to hold.
My phone buzzes again.
Zane:How’d it go?
Me:Short list. Not guaranteed.
Zane:Short list means they see you. The rest is just showing them what they already know.
Me:That’s very optimistic for someone who’s trying to launch their career as well!
Zane:I’m full of surprises. Can I call you?
I don’t answer. I just hit the call button.
He picks up on the first ring.
“Hey.”
His voice does something to my chest. Something that hasn’t changed since the first time I heard it on the porch outside that party, drunk and half-hidden in the dark.
“Hey yourself.”
“You’re on the short list,” he says. Not a question.
“Apparently.”
“That’s huge, Leo.”
“It’s not a contract.”
“It’s a door.” I hear him moving around - probably pacing his apartment, like he does when he’s thinking. “And you’ve never needed anyone to hold a door open for you. You just kick them down.”
I laugh despite myself. “That’s a very generous way of describing what I did.”
“I’m describing what youdo. Present tense. You’re not done. When do you find out more?”
“Next few weeks. They have other tryouts across the country.”
“Whatever comes next? You’ve already proven you belong. The rest is just hockey.”
