Page 97 of Made Better Together

My brain starts to catch up. I’d long ago looked up what a practice player is paid, since it was a distinct possibility I’d be the backup somewhere, if I made it that far.

It’s five figures a week. Life-changing money that, at the very least, would let me have room to explore other options long term. In contrast to the zero I’m making in the internship, which I’m not even enjoying.

Easy fucking choice.

“I’m in, Del. Let me know when I need to be there for tryouts.”

Eden’s head jerks up to me at the last word. Her eyes go big, and I nod to confirm she heard right.

Once I’m off the phone with him, I rapidly update her on the conversation, and a smile starts to appear on her face.

“This is…wild! And you want to do it?”

“Definitely.”

“And your internship, you’d still keep it too?”

“No. If I make the squad, I’d need to resign or at least take a leave of absence.”

A light comes into her eyes. “So we wouldn’t need to be secret⁠—”

I shake my head. “I think we would.” The light dims, and I hurry to explain, “Not that I want that, Eden. Really. But if your dad is the one choosing me, maybe ultimately coaching me—I think we’d need to keep our situation quiet a little longer. I…I don’t want to put any of us in a position where it looks like a conflict of interest, or whatever.”

“Yeah…” She looks thoughtful. “Yeah, you’re right. And if the media got wind of it, they could make it into something.”

I hadn’t even thought of that yet. “Yes.”

“Okay, so we stay a secret for now. It’s what we planned anyway.”

“Assuming I even make the team.”

She beams at me. “You will. I know it.”

27

EDEN

When Connor drops me back at Tolliver, I’m grateful Bree is gone from our suite. I need a shower, fresh clothes, and a coffee before I can handle an interrogation from her.

I also want to bask in my memories of our date for a moment. What a night. Not only was it a good time, but I genuinely like him. Sure, I knew he was smart, funny. But now that he’s all in, it’s evident he’s also sweet and kind. Green flags flying all around. That side of him is buried under that quiet reluctance to open up, like he now has with me.

It’s okay if he takes a while to warm up with new people. Not everyone is going to be chatty from day one, or a confident extrovert.

Speaking of which…

The door opens. My resident chatty, confident extrovert is home.

Bree walks in, wearing workout gear. As soon as she sees me, her eyes expand. “Oooh, you’re here.”

“I am…” I plop on my couch. I don’t have to wait long for the questions to start.

“Soooo, how was Princeton boy?” She sits down next to me and starts taking off her sneakers. “I need all the details.”

“It was…so good.”

She waits for me to elaborate until it’s clear I’m not going to. “Those aren’t details, Larsson.”

I giggle. “Sorry.” I describe Connor’s pub tour and how it devolved into sexy dancing at Eclypse.