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“Oh god. I should have gotten a haircut like Coach Reyes,” she says.
I put my arm around her and kiss her temple. “You look beautiful.”
I notice Clayton watching us.
“And who are these boys Coach Noughton is spending so much of his time with? They’re boys like number fourteen.”
Clayton sits up in his chair.
Gillian looks at me as if I asked them to put him in.
They show multiple clips of Clayton running drills and catching the ball with ease. “I think we can all admit this kid is going places, and with a pro football wide receiver that will probably go to the Hall of Fame as his coach? Keep the name Clayton Adams in your head.”
A clip starts with Coach Reyes and Coach Smith. Coach Reyes stares into the camera with his mouth hanging open.
“He brings new energy and a mentality of camaraderie and sportsmanship to the team. We’re grateful to have him and know he’ll lead us to the championships.” Coach Smith elbows Coach Reyes.
He sways forward. “Yeah,” Coach Reyes says.
“Oh, poor Coach Reyes.” Gillian covers her mouth.
“I’m Blythe Chen, and thank you for watching Sportsverse. Next Thursday, join us while we talk to the head coach of the Chicago Grizzlies about his aspirations for his team next season.”
Gillian mutes the television. “Whoa, Clay, the girls are going to be all over you now.”
He shakes his head before he stares at me. “Did you pay them or something?”
“Clayton!”
“No,” I say. “The cameraman came up to me at the end and complimented you. I thought they might mention you, but I didn’t know for sure.”
He nods, a small smile on his lips. His phone vibrates. “Drew.” He holds it up and walks out of the room.
Gillian tackles me and pulls me to her, kissing my cheek. “You did great. I’d rather not have been a part of it, but both my boys did fantastic.” She gives me a chaste kiss, then gets up and cleans up the pizza.
I follow her into the kitchen and lean against the counter as she puts away the leftovers.
“Any news?” I ask. The bar exam results are supposed to be announced any day now.
“Well.” She cringes. “The results are in, but I didn’t want to steal your moment, so…”
“Gillian!” I push off the counter, grabbing her laptop from the coffee table and bringing it to the kitchen table. “Log in.”
“I don’t know. I should open it alone. What if I failed?” Her hands shake, and I take them, running my hands over hers as if I’m warming them.
“Then you take it again. And it’s me. I want to be here to support you either way.”
She nods, and I lead her over to the table, sliding the chair out for her. She sits, opens her laptop, and sighs. She types in her password and waits before clicking on her email.
And there it is in her inbox.
My heart races, and I cross my fingers. She clicks, and I close my eyes.
“I passed,” she says quietly. I open my eyes, and she turns toward me. “I passed!”
I shout and pick her up, swinging her around the room.
Clayton’s door opens, and he comes in and stares at us. There isn’t disgust in his face, but amazement, I think. “What’s going on?”
