32. Cam

CHAPTER 32

CAM

A week after the Fourth, I finally get the call I’ve been waiting for.

“Pack your bags. I have you booked on the five p.m. flight to Fort Lauderdale.” Troy’s voice is triumphant, like he won the damn championship game himself.

“What?” I rake my fingers through my hair, hope floating into my chest cavity.

“The head coach wants a meeting first thing tomorrow morning. If that goes well, he’s going to have you suit up and join the recruiting camp. So let’s think positive and take all our gear with us, huh?”

“Yeah, of course.” I lean against the marble island and stare out at the placid lake, my mind swirling.

Fort Lauderdale might want me.

Not a great team, but good enough. Plus, the weather’s decent. A little hot, maybe, but that’s preferable to icy.

And it’s close to Thunder Creek.

Shit. I need this to work out .

“Troy, does the coach know everything?” Tension settles at the base of my neck, my jaw tight as I wait for his answer.

“Yeah. I’ve been upfront with every team I’ve pitched. Last thing we need is you wasting your damn time, getting to the one-yard-line and then having them pull out.”

Relief seeps through me and my muscles loosen a touch. If the head coach knows about the video and is still interested, I have a real shot at making the team. Especially after working with Coach Carter all summer.

“I’ll shoot you the flight details.”

“Sounds good, thanks.”

“Crawford?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t fuck this up. No pressure, but this could be your last chance.”

“Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great. But I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t honest with you. I’ve talked to almost every team in the league. This is about as good as it’s going to get.”

“Got it, boss. I’ll play like I already have four championship rings, how about that?”

“Perfect. And keep your pants on. Zero scandals.”

“Ouch. It was a one-time thing, Troy. You know that.” I don’t love talking about the video and hate that he brings it up every damn time—even if it is his job.

“Let’s keep it that way. Go down there, catch the football, fly like a motherfucking raptor and win yourself that spot.”

“Consider it done.” I disconnect, tossing the cell onto the counter with a clatter.

Anxiety churns in my gut. Coupled with the buzz of adrenaline, I’m nauseous and I haven’t even left Thunder Creek yet.

Get your shit together, Crawford. You’ve got this.

My phone rattles against the marble and I grab it with a sinking feeling. Troy’s already calling to cancel.

“Hey, babe. It’s me.” Sloane’s melodic voice trills down the line and I take a relieved breath. “Gracelyn wants us to get drinks with her on Friday at Mustang’s. You up for it? Or do you want me to make it a girls’ night?”

“I was about to call you. I just got off the phone with my agent.”

“Wait, what?”

“I have an interview and possible tryout tomorrow. If it goes well, I’ll have training camp with the team for at least a week.”

“Cam! That’s amazing!” She screams so loud the phone shakes against my ear. “Which team?”

“Fort Lauderdale.”

“Oh. Well, at least that’s pretty close.”

“I know. This could be really good.”

A long beat passes and I’m not sure what else to say. Finally, Sloane speaks.

“I’m going to miss you.”

“I know, baby. Me too. But I’ll be back. Either way.”

She sniffles and I wonder if she’s crying. My chest squeezes hard and I’m caught off guard. I never worried about traveling before, never disliked it. I kind of looked forward to the away games, seeing other stadiums and places.

This emotional stuff is new for me and I don’t love it.

“When do you leave?” Her voice is soft.

“Tonight. Five p.m. flight.”

“That’s three hours from now. I can’t even drive you to the airport because I’m working and I’m running the book club.”

“That’s okay. I’ll park at the airport, no big deal.”

“I won’t get to kiss you goodbye and good luck.” She sounds so sad. The enthusiasm about the interview drains from my body and all I want to do is hold Sloane, kiss her and make it better.

But I definitely cannot do that right now. Like Troy said, I cannot fuck this up. This is my last chance to make it back.

“It’s fine, Trouble. I’ll be back before you know it. Good luck at book club.”

“Thanks,” she whispers, forlorn.

“Listen, I have to pack. I’ll call you when I land.”

“Okay. Cam?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you. Good luck. You’ll be great, I know it.”

“I love you, too. Bye, baby.”

I disconnect, a sharp pang in my chest terrifyingly close to my heart. But I shove that aside and hustle up the stairs two at a time to pack.

Thirty minutes later, I’m running through my pre-game checklist in my head:

Mouthguard: check

Cleats: check

Toothbrush: check

Charger: check

All my other shit: check

Shoving socks and underwear into my suitcase, I zip up the bag and wheel out of the bedroom without a backward glance. I grab my wallet and keys, then lock up the house behind me and race out to the Rover.

If I hurry, I can swing by the library and say bye to Sloane.

Throwing the car in reverse, I zoom out of the driveway and down the gravel road, white puffs of dust swirling behind me. I floor the gas and push the Rover as fast as I dare, all the while watching for cops.

Ten minutes later, I’m in town and let up on the speed. I make a hard right into the library parking lot and slam into the first open spot I find. I need to make this quick, but I couldn’t leave town without seeing her.

I jog through the glass doors, heading straight to the Children’s Department. But she’s not behind the desk. Scanning the stacks, I don’t see her anywhere.

Book Club.

Sloane’s running the Romance Book Club right now. Obviously not in the Children’s Department.

I pivot and head back to the front desk. There’s a line and the woman in front of me has at least twenty books. That’s gotta be the library maximum.

Abandoning this strategy, I stride through the quiet rooms, searching for the book club. Laughter spills from one of the conference rooms in the back and I follow the happy noises.

And there’s Sloane, sitting at the top of a circle of women—most of them gray-haired—a slight pink flush on her dewy skin. She’s absolutely radiant. I want to stand here and watch her in her element all day, but I do not have time for that.

Ms. Mabel glances up and catches sight of me and she elbows Sloane. Sloane’s eyes lift to mine and widen, her mouth forming a perfect ‘O. ’

“Cam! Are you here for the book club?” Ms. Mabel asks, waving me over to the circle.

“I’m afraid not, ma’am. I’m headed out to the airport. May I borrow Sloane for one quick second?”

“Certainly. Ladies, let’s chat about that part when he meets her family.” Ms. Mabel flips through her book, searching for the part while discreetly nudging Sloane out of her chair.

Sloane doesn’t hesitate, hopping up and hurrying over, taking me by the arm and leading me away from the group.

“Cam! I didn’t think you’d have time to stop in.” Up close, her eyes shimmer in the fluorescent lights.

“I don’t. But I couldn’t leave town without saying bye.” I trail my finger down her jawline. “And I love you.”

Dipping down, I brush my lips against hers softly. A tiny mewl sounds low in her throat and I wish we had more time.

“I love you too.” She wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me deeper. I inhale her sweet scent and all her goodness, trying to memorize every curve and line.

“I’ll miss you. But I’ll be back soon.” I swallow hard over my dry throat, run my thumb across her lower lip.

She presses her palm to my chest, resting her hand over my heart. “Promise?”

“Promise.” I kiss her one last time, long and hard, before pulling away. “I’ll call you.”

Then I jog out of the library, praying there’s no traffic, an open parking spot, and the security line moves with some semblance of speed because I cannot afford to miss this flight.