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"Sir, I don’t want other people to know about this—"
"Coming in, sir," Cleo confirmed before the line ended.
This was going faster than I wanted it to. "Sir, I’m trying to keep this as quiet as possible. If you release me because of the Clemenza, it should cut the effect it’ll have on our image—"
"Russell, I don’t give a shit about the image."
I paused. "I…don’t…"
"They’ve been harassing my players and now they’re going to publish a book about it? I’d like to see them fucking try." He opened a drawer next to him and pulled out a packet of sunflower seeds. He cracked a few with his teeth. "I’d like to see them fucking try."
"It’s going to be about everything, sir. About how I…left them out."
"Everything, huh?" Coach Lawson snapped. "Everything? I’m sure it’s going to be about how they made you sweat blood?"
There was a light knock on the door. "Sir?" Cleo poked her head in and winced the moment she saw me. "Oh, Adam, you were doing so good. What now?"
"We need an emergency meeting," my coach barked. "Law team, PR team, everyone who wears a suit in this building is expected to march in."
Her eyes widened. "What? What happened?"
"His parents decided to go on ahead and do the dumbest shit they could’ve done—they’re writing a book."
"They’re doing what?!"
I glanced between them. "This is going to be before the draft. It’s going to put the spotlight on everybody." I shook my head. "It’s a sign of weakness we don’t need."
"A sign of weakness." Coach Lawson shook his head. "Kid, taking care of yourself is not a sign of weakness."
I had no idea what to say to that.
108
Piper
Disappointment
Behind the stage, all of us sat together in a little room while we listened to a presentation from the speakers on how human resources fit in with RA culture. With my arms around my knees, I sat on one of the hard plastic chairs with June.
Don’t throw up.
Panic had settled in. Because there were only a handful of people out there. If someone coughed, my presentation would come to a standstill. Basically, I’d be speaking to myself and trying desperately not to look over at the panel of residential leaders with their eyes beaming on me.
Don’t throw up.
"Piper! June!" Kassie whispered from the door and I glanced up. She gave a little wave and motioned both of us over. "Hey, June, you killed it."
Zariah popped up behind her. "First presentation I didn’t fall asleep through."
"I’m glad I thrilled the ten people in the audience," June joked.
I’d snuck out to the curtains during June’s presentation too and it’d given me about as much anxiety as sitting in the back was. She didn’t let the emptiness faze her. How could I compare?
The turnout was disappointing, but the peering eyes of our bosses were downright terrifying. And I had nothing else to distract me from the magnifying glasses.
"Ryan and King are going to be here soon," Kassie whispered.
I glanced up and tried to smooth out my expression. Because if Ryan and King were coming…
