Page 104 of Made Better Together

I take a seat in one of the guest chairs and fight my unease. You wouldn’t think I’d be worried about taking a step back from the internship, but I hate delivering bad news. I much prefer to avoid any conflict.

Hence, all the secret keeping.

“So, what did you want to chat about?”

My heart rate elevates, and I force a deep breath out. “I’m sorry, Milo, but something’s come up.”

“Alright. You okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s just…the Waves reached out. They need a backup placekicker after their current one had an accident. And…”

“They want you?” His voice sounds surprisingly upbeat.

“I’m going to go to a practice tomorrow as a tryout. Yesterday—I apologize for the omission when I took the day off, but I kicked some with the starter. I didn’t want to alarm you for no reason. But now…this opportunity could be real.”

“That’s great, Connor. You know I’ve always been supportive of Grace’s track career. We’ll figure it out.”

“It’s a bit different from Grace’s situation.” Many pro runners juggle a job and training because they can schedule their practices around their 9–5. “NFL practice squad members can’t really work during the season—we’re supposed to be at the facility almost as much as the players on the roster. All day, most of the time.”

Milo clearly didn’t know that from the perplexed expression he now wears. “Huh, okay.”

“So I’d…I feel awful, but I’d have to resign from the internship if I make the team. It’d be pretty much impossible to do both. I’m so grateful but…yeah, I’d have to choose.”

He’s quiet for a few seconds, clearly processing, before responding.

“You only have to choose if I make you. The experience and connections you’d get would only make you stronger in our industry. Like Grace, you could expand our firm into a new sport.”

“Yes, but I’d be tied up for months?”

He nods, still thoughtful. “I know. Let’s see how it all plays out, okay?”

“Alright.” It would be stupid to shut down this avenue if he’s fine with me taking some kind of leave for now.

That doesn’t seem to be an issue for him. But as he leans forward, it’s clear something else is.

“Next time, Connor. No need to keep secrets from me. I want to support you, and I can only do that if I have all the information.”

I shake my head in agreement, even though there’s one enormous secret I’m keeping from him.

Eden.

I feel shitty about it for a moment. But as I leave his office with the possible NFL role, the girl I’ve been wanting forever, and the potential of coming back to SLP after the season is over, I push that feeling away.

I need to take these wins however I can get them.

“That feel alright?” the equipment assistant asks as he taps on my pads the next day.

“Yeah, it’s great.” They know what they’re doing, so the gear feels fine. Most importantly, I feel natural as I move around my assigned spot in “PS row”—a space off the main locker room for the practice squad.

“Perfect. Sorry about not having much choice in numbers.”

“No sweat, I don’t mind fourteen.” It’s double the number seven, which is a lucky number, right?

“Okay, cool. Moment of truth. Can you slip on the helmet for me?”

I do as he asks, now fully dressed in uniform. He watches me tighten the chin strap.

“How does that feel? Move your head around.”