The Locker Room(14)

“Yes. I’ve spoken with scouts. They have their eyes on you.”

“Who?” I ask, a little too excited.

“The Bobcats for one.”

“The Bobcats?” I ask, nearly falling out of my chair. Fuck. “You serious? That’s my fucking dream team.” Growing up just outside of Dallas, I had no right being a Bobcats fan, but my mom was born and raised in Chicago, a huge baseball fan, so I’ve been a diehard Bobcats fan since I can remember. Whenever I played baseball in my backyard, I always pretended I was the starting shortstop for the Bobcats, and to even think that could be a possibility gives me goddamn chills.

Feel my nipples, seriously, so fucking hard.

“Keep it in your pants, Gentry,” Coach says, making me chuckle. “It’s a possibility, but you have to continue to work hard, don’t let up, and don’t settle.”

“I won’t, Coach, you know I won’t. I’m the first one to show up for practice and the last one to leave. I spend more hours in the batting cages than anyone, I practically have a marriage with one of the batting tees.”

“I do recall you proposed to it last year.”

“She’s been so loyal, I had to do something.”

He shakes his head and then pushes a few papers around on his desk. “Enough with the bullshit. Stay focused, set a good example, and show the underclassmen what it takes to make it to the majors.”

“I can do that.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, that’s why I’m naming you captain this year.”

“Seriously?” I ask, my brows raising in surprise. I had an inkling I’d be named captain, but it still surprises me.

Seriously, when Coach called me into his office, I had the brief thought that maybe he heard about the stupid jungle party and wanted to lecture me about it. Not this.

“Yes, you’ve earned the title, just don’t fuck it up now.”

“I won’t.” I grab the back of my neck. “Wow, Coach, I’m honored.”

“You know the title comes with responsibility, right? Not only showing up on the field, but off it too. You’re in charge of Thursday study hall, making sure all the underclassmen are paired up with an upperclassman so our team is succeeding in the classroom as well as on the field.”

“Yes, just like Justin last year.”

“Exactly. Keep the boys in line, which means tamping down the . . . jungle parties.”

My face blanches as Coach rolls his eyes.

“You guys think I’m an idiot, but everything you do in that loft is reported back to me, so don’t be fucking morons, you understand?”

“Yeah, sure. I mean . . . we can party still, right?”

“As long as it’s not under the twenty-four-hour rule when the season starts and you do it responsibly. If I hear any stories about shit going wrong at one of your parties, I will break up that loft quicker than you can saddle your dick in your jockstrap. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“Good.” He leans back in his chair again and for the first time since I’ve known him, he smirks. “You’re going places, Gentry. Just make sure to send me tickets to your first big league game.”

“You’re one of the firsts on my list.”

He nods then says, “Get out of here and go lift. Time to step it up to another level.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, Coach; I’m already bringing it this year.”

I take off and head toward the weight room with extra pep in my step.

Captain. The Big Leagues. Hell, that conversation couldn’t have gone any better.

Pictures of previous student athletes flank the hallways, reminding me of the rich athletic history within these walls. My photo might be up here one day. My mom would love that. It’s rare when Coach Disik has any seniors on his team, because his players are usually drafted after their junior year. I knew I had the potential to be drafted after my junior year, but to know it’s closer to reality is fucking incredible.

This changes everything. My entire outlook over the next year. Me.

I was going to grind anyway, but now that I have a chance of accomplishing my biggest goal, I know where my head will be all year: on the field, in the weight room, and putting time in the cages.

“Oh shit, what happened?” Carson asks, taking in my concentrated brow when I walk into the weight room.

Still in shock, I hop onto the exercise bike next to him and start warming up my limbs. “He named me captain.”

“Seriously? Holy shit, that’s huge.”

“He also said I need to enter the draft after this season.”

“Could have told you that,” Carson says, laughter in his voice. “You’re going places, man, just don’t try to take my kneecaps out when we’re playing against each other and you’re sliding into second in the big leagues.”

I smile at my friend, who has exactly the same potential as me. “I can’t make any promises.”





Chapter Six





EMORY





I pat my skirt down and sit tall in my chair, hoping I don’t mess this up.

Mrs. Flower scans my résumé and questionnaire, her lips pursed, showing off her lipstick that’s in desperate need of a touch-up. The color has fallen in the cracks of her lips, drying out and making her look a little impish.