Page 39 of The Tryout

“What did you need, Coach? Is there something you need me to work on?”

I figure no matter what, it’s in my best interest to keep any coach on staff happy and thinking of me as a hard worker.

“Huh? Oh, no. Nothing like that.”

I let out a deep breath.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to freak you out. I just needed to talk to you about rooming arrangements on the road.”

Ah. Seems like yet another do you have a place to sleep conversation for me and Banks.

“Oh. Sure. Whatever you need.”

“I just wanted to ask…are you and Lawson the kind of roommates who need a break from each other when we’re traveling? Or are you good to shack up?”

I feel blood rising in my face at his phrasing and am grateful for the chill of the arena.

Because there has been plenty of stuff I didn’t expect from Avery moving in. The enormous number of picture frames that seem to have spawned in the apartment, or the constant supply of takeout containers in the fridge.

But more than anything, I wasn’t ready for how…distracting I would find him. The smell of his cologne, or the way water clings to his shoulders after a shower, it’s like there’s always some little detail saying Hey, have you seen this guy?

“Oh. I’m fine either way, I guess, but he’s a nice guy. It’d be great if we can be together, but someone should probably ask him, too.”

The look of relief on Banks’ face is clear – and not a little surprising.

I should probably be insulted. I haven’t always been the easiest guy to partner up, I know that. Last year, they decided that since Briggs and I were drafted together, we should be roommates on the road.

It took exactly one time of Novak finding me sleeping in the hall while Briggs hooked up inside our room before that got changed. In fact, Novak took over as my roommate for the rest of the season.

“Good. Great. We’ll, uh, check with him, but I’d say you can count on it. We definitely want to keep you performing like you have been.”

I smile, both at the compliment and the idea of roadtrips that won’t suck.

Our first roadtrip is later that week and has us playing one game in Milwaukee and two in Rockford before returning to Iowa. Because it’s a longer trip, we’re leaving on a Wednesday morning, loading up the bus for the eight hour drive ahead of us.

“Dude, you’re abandoning me?” Novak says as he sits in the aisle seat opposite mine. To my right, Avery is flicking through his phone.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw the rooming list. Thought you’d stick with me, man.”

Avery smirks, jumping into the conversation.

“Your wife know you’re begging twenty-year-olds to share your room?”

I can feel my eyes bug out, but Novak just laughs.

“No, but she’s a pretty big fan of Finn’s. I think it’d be alright.”

I turn bright red and try to steer the conversation back where it started.

“Sorry, man. Had to stick with my roomie.”

At least, I hope they’ve stuck me with Avery.

Novak rolls his eyes.

“Well, I’m coming to your room first if I end up murdering Briggs. I’ll need help moving the body.”