‘Oh, you know. New school, lotta kids already know each other. Some of her classmates aren’t going easy on her.’
I grimace. I suspect that’s because of me. ‘I’ll go talk to her.’
I swipe up my bag, and head upstairs on River’s side of the house. I can hear music emanating from behind her closed door.
I knock hard. ‘Hey, can I come in?’
A moment later, the door opens. River pokes her head out. Behind her I can still see boxes piled up.
‘You know when you move somewhere new,’ I say, ‘it’s customary to unpack.’
She gives me a look like I can go to hell. ‘Hey, jackass, you’re back. Did you have fun with your teammates?’
‘Sure. Getting to know ’em a bit.’
‘Which ones?’
‘Uhhh… Dorsey and Grayson.’
‘You didn’t spend very long hanging out.’
I shrug. ‘We hit the gym, you know. Talked about guy stuff. How was school? Those kids still bothering you some?’
River rolls her eyes. ‘I’m keeping a tally of the number of times I get asked for tickets to the game.’
‘Which is how many?’
She disappears then comes back with her school textbook. There’s about thirty tally marks in groups of five. ‘Yikes. Maybe I can hook you up.’
‘Uh-uh. No way. The only people I would take to a game are the ones whodon’task me for tickets.’
‘Okay, well… you wanna catch that movie now?’
Her brow creeps up her forehead. ‘You’re serious? His majesty actually wants to hang out with me now?’
I give her a mock bow. ‘He does.’
She gives a shrug. ‘Fine. But you’re buying the popcorn.’
On Thursday, for our game against the Las Vegas Raiders, I arrive at the Danube Stadium in my sweats, only to find I must do this weird pap walk past a bunch of guys with cameras.
‘It’s called your game day outfit!’ Zach Dorsey cackles in the locker room when I complain about it.
‘I play football, I’m not here for the fashion show.’
‘Dude, soon you gonna get designers sending you shit to wear, instead of you showing up like you just rolled outta bed.’
I pull at my jersey – one that I’ve had since my first year of college football – and notice that Hud Briar just swaggered in wearing a bright blue matching two-piece with a huge designer logo on the front. Expensive headphones hang around his neck and his sunglasses are still on.
‘Now that’s what I’m talking about,’ Dorsey tells me. ‘You gotta know how to make an entrance.’
‘Noted,’ I say, and I hate the way my voice falters.
I’m excited for the game. I’m more excited that I get to see Serenity again. I haven’t seen her since our last brief encounter at the diner. I got everything planned out for our big date.
‘Walsh!’ I hear from across the other side of the locker room, and I snap to attention.
‘Yes, Coach?’
