Page 169 of ClickBack

“I don’t want the plan changing every time somebody has a rough week,” I tell him.

“The plan has to change when it isn’t working.”

“I’m talking about deciding what I am based on the last box score.”

“Then we’re talking about different things.” He turns the tablet toward me again. “I want you here because of what you can do across a season. I still have to choose who finishes each night.”

“I can live with being coached.”

“Good. Because your résumé won’t get you out of it.”

Cam looks down to hide a smile. I let him have it.

Devin takes over when I ask what the team might have to give up to get me. He doesn’t name players he isn’t ready to discuss, but he does answer the part that matters.

“We’re not taking apart the reason you fit here to bring you here.”

“That’s what I need to keep hearing when Philly comes back.”

“That’s what Cam will hear.”

There is no agreement to sign. I still belong to Philadelphia. Toronto still has an offer they like, and wanting this room to become familiar doesn’t change that. But I leave the table knowing what Parker would expect of me. It is the first part of the visit I can carry home without guessing.

After they leave, Cam stays seated and checks his messages.

“Toronto can do the video call tomorrow at four. We can use your suite before the flight.”

“Set it.”

“And San Antonio?”

I look at the empty chair across from me. “Keep working it. I like what I heard.”

He nods and puts that in his message without asking me to turn it into a promise.

Downstairs, Von and Cole are moving equipment into storage. My brother sees me and points to the other handle on a case.

“Grab that.”

“You got employees.”

“None of them my brother.”

“You getting a lot out of that today.”

He grins. “Pick it up.”

I do. Cole holds the door while we carry it through, and for once, nobody has to come back and ask me for help.

Chapter 31

Giselle

Bellamy is halfway through explaining our first stop when her father calls to ask where he left his sunglasses.

“Wherever you took them off,” she tells him.

I look out the window so she won’t see me laugh.