Page 81 of Scoring Lessons

“Can we get back to the point here?” I waved the flimsy paperback in the air.

Anderson’s eyes remained on me for a beat or two, but then he sighed and said, “We’ll read this and then meet to discuss the book. And all of you need to bring book recommendations because we will need to choose our next read.”

“Should we bring Kendall and Sullivan next time?” Parker tapped his index finger against his cheek thoughtfully.

“Can we hold on Sullivan?” Anderson asked, almost unsure. “We can barely stand each other as it is when we play together.”

Owens shot a glare at Parker. “He’s a dick. Who even wants to hang out around him outside of work?”

I huffed a laugh. He wasn’t wrong.

Donovan leaned back in his chair and crossed one ankle over the other. “Bring Kendall. We could use someone young to keep us looking alive.”

“Are you calling me old?” Parked gaped at him in disbelief. “I’m not even in my mid-twenties yet!”

“Are you all serious about this?” Owens asked, baffled. “I thought this was a practical joke from Anderson.”

“This is very serious.” Anderson hummed thoughtfully. “You can’t tell me you’re not dying to know what Valentina gushes about with the girls.” He cocked an eyebrow that screamed you know I’m right.

“I’m in,” Morgan said when he finished reading the back. He hit Owens in the arm. “Stop being a party popper. It’ll be fun.”

“Whatever. I’m sure this will wear off soon.” Owens pushed up from his seat, his book hooked underneath his arm. “I have to go meet Valentina for a cake testing.”

“Shouldn’t her fiancé be the one going with her?” Parker asked, tilting his head with an innocent frown.

“You would think,” Owens replied, voice dripping with sarcasm, as he slipped through the exit and shut the door behind him.

“Do we think he’s still in denial?” Morgan asked, his tone serious, edged with worry.

“He’s Owens. He’ll be fine.” Donovan shrugged. “It’s best we don’t press the issue.”

“Are we done? Because I have things to do,” I said.

Donovan checked his watch, and his face turned pale white. “Shit, yeah,” he murmured. “I’m late to pick up Isaac.” He barely said goodbye as he sprinted out of his chair and out of Anderson’s apartment.

Morgan and Parker quickly followed after we said our goodbyes.

Anderson was holding Captain Sushi like a baby as they both stared at me with blank expressions. “Are you finally going to tell me what you’re hiding?”

Many fucking things you would kill me for if you ever found out, was what I wanted to say, but before I could reply, my phone pinged with a text.

Michael (Agent): We need to meet.

“I have to deal with this.” I wiggled my phone vaguely in the air. “We’ll talk later.”

I stepped out of the apartment without so much as a glance back. Lying to my best friend was shitty, but what sucked the most was how little I cared. Because walking away from Olivia wasn’t an option anymore.

Me: Are the Strikers ready to extend an offer?

Michael (Agent): Haven’t heard anything, but we got an offer from another team.

Me: Who?

Michael (Agent): Detroit.

Me: No.

Michael (Agent): You haven’t even given me the chance to show you the terms.