Page 26 of Full Contact

Reaching for the next hold, I shifted my hip toward the wall and pushed through my left foot. My fingertips caught the hold. I held still for a breath, moved my other hand up, and finished the route.

“That one,” Dana said as I descended. “That was the move I told you to make.”

“I was busy climbing. I couldn’t hear you.”

Felix looked up from the bench. “Nobody believes that.”

He fell two holds short and bought the smoothies, choosing the cheapest thing on the menu for himself. We took our usual seats by the window.

My phone buzzed on the table.

Trier: Her birthday episode. She’s willing to discuss it, but she wants creative control.

Mark: She can have input.

Trier: She’s had input for fourteen years. She thinks she’s old enough to have control.

“Work?” Dana asked.

“The cat has conditions.”

Felix leaned over. “The cat texts you?”

“Her agent does.”

“The cat has an agent?” Dana asked.

“She has an agent, a series, and a private distribution list for her personal updates. She’s doing better than most of our players.”

“Are we on the list?” Felix asked.

“I’m not even on the list. It’s family and a few approved names. There hasn’t been a new one added in years.”

“What’s the approval process?” Dana asked.

“There isn’t one. It’s not that kind of list.”

She considered that and sipped her smoothie.

“I respect the idea,” Felix said. “I’m starting one.”

“Who’s on it?” Dana asked.

“I have to decide whether you’re on it before I can tell you.”

***

A few days later, I ran a short media session at the practice facility—three players, four outlets, everyone in and out in under an hour. Rafe went last. He answered the hockey questions thoroughly and gave the reporter who asked about life at home a pleasant smile.

“Good. Thanks,” he said.

I waited for the follow-up. She checked her notes and returned to his offseason training.

When we finished, he unclipped the microphone and handed it back with the cable loosely coiled.

“That everything you need?”

“I think so.”