Page 36 of The Fake Divination Offense
“I’m sorry.” I glance down at her name badge. “I’m sorry, Treva. I just—”
No. There’s no explanation that makes either my questions or behavior acceptable.
Thisis true weakness.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat, shaking, and shove through the doors.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Blood thunders in my ears, rushes hot and heavy through my chest as I rush to the player locker room and rip off my gear.
My next therapy session isn’t for another few weeks; I spread them out during the season so my schedule isn’t unmanageable. But maybe I should add an appointment or two?
I’ll send the whole publicity team lunch. For the next week. Something in penance. I donotget to throw my weight around like that, terrifying people into doing what I want.
My jersey drops to my feet, and as I bend to toss my shoulder pads into my locker, I spot Urzoth’s symbol in the folds of the fabric.
That’s exactly what my mother would expect me to do. That’s what shedoesthink I do. Just plow my way through life in a constant high ofI am strong, therefore everyone else is weak.
The acidic gnawing in my stomach to rip that symbol off my uniform burns and burns.
I willnotbehave like this. I willnotbe someone who makes him proud.
Their version of strength isn’t real.
I throw myself into a shower, willing the water to scald away the emotions roiling inside me, the truebeastthat’s been unleashed. I take a washcloth and scrub at my skin until it’s red and stinging under the spray, and I imagine the soap whirling down the drain is each pulse ofmine, minethat was echoing in my head.
Chapter Five
Morning News: “Welcome back toOne Shot, your number-one source for the latest in pro rawball news. I’m your host, Diamanda Blacktalon. My cohost, Vaknox of the Lizard People of Tesh, is on his biannual sojourn to molt his skin in the Teshen Temple of Chaxloakka. We miss him and wish him a speedy ecdysis. Filling in for him is Luxo the artificer and his automaton, Ratchatron. Pleasure to have you, Luxo.”
*robot beeping noises*
“Oh, Ratchatron will be speaking with us today? Wonderful. Ratchatron, things seem to be heating up between a certain couple! Alexo and Orok, our very own Beauty and the Beast, were spotted on another date, this time at the super romantic Hilliard restaurant.”
*robot beeping noises*
“Um. That’s awful, Ratchatron. I’m sorry your—uh, Luxo’s wife left him at that restaurant.”
*aggressive robot beeping noises*
“Well… in returning to Orok and Alexo, let’s bring up the image for our viewers of Orok helping Alexo into his seat—yep, that one—”
*even more aggressive robot beeping noises*
“That’s awfully jaded, Ratchatron. Our viewers certainly believe in love. Just look at how cute Orok and Alexo are! Oroxo—I prefer Beauty and the Beast—have definitely secured their spot as the new It couple of rawball—”
*one long shrieking robot beep*
“Oh dear. I apologize for my cohost’s language. I—I think we’d better go to commercial.”
“Thio and I will be at your game tonight.”
I tap a rhythm on the steering wheel as I wind through traffic on the way to the stadium. “You know where to go to get the family tickets?”
“Yeah,” Seb says through my car’s speaker. “This is the one and only instance of me going raw for you this season, so make it good for both of us, will you?”
“Uh-huh. Sure.”
