Page 150 of Chasing Headlines
“Nothing’s ruined, you took a step back. Sure it wasn’t planned but didn’t you need this? This time?”The major leagues, even the minor leagues, they would've chewed you up and spit you out if you weren't ready.“Isn’t it better?—”
“Better? The scouts don’t even have me on their lists anymore.”
My heart sunk. He was right about that.
“I’m standing at the back of the line with everyone around me treating me like I’m still some fuckin kid.”
I bowed my head. This was the die-hard baseball player I’d never be able to reach. I’d seen it on my brother’s face a number of times: the determination, the will to put everything on the lineto compete. Curt had changed after his surgery. Breslin . . . still had something to prove.
“I was gonna make my own choices. Fuck what my Dad wanted, and Mom and her great college plans. No one believed I could do it—except the IML. And then one mistake, and!” He dropped the water bottle to the ground and caught himself with his hands on his knees. “I can’t let them win.” A tremor ran through him. He rocked back and forth a couple of times, then lifted to his full height. Shoulders squared, he didn't look at me. But his jaw flexed and his features turned white. “Don’t stand in my way, Liv.”
Of all the—!But the pain in his voice. It reminded me of that day, in the rain.
“Get away from me!”
Could I stand in his way? Possibly? But he didn't know the extent I could really ruin his life. Maybe I didn’t know . . .
He moved to go around me, back into the building. I threw my shoulder into his ribcage as he passed. I couldn't say exactly why. Maybe because he annoyed me. Maybe because he was telling me what to do.
Maybe it was the only way I could think of, to try to get through.
“The hell?” He scowled at me.
“You need a doctor. You’re being stupid. Didn’t you tell me you’re more than stats on the page?” My heart hammered in my ears. But all I could think of was how Curt was done before his time. And maybe if he’d made different choices. Maybe if he hadn’t pushed himself so damned hard . . . “Concussions can lead to serious, life-altering injuries. And you’d risk your what? Your future, who you are, everything you could be capable of—for a stupid exhibition game?”
He drew himself up. “Isn’t that a better storyline? Just perfect for a reporter.” He spit the words at me like the time he called me a snake in the grass.
“You know what, Cooper?” I pointed at his chest. “I’ll stand wherever the hell I want. Maybe you should learn to get out ofmyway.”
I didn't stick around to hear his retort.
Chapter Forty-Two
Olivia POV
Iwasn’t sure whether it was a good or bad thing to find Antonio in our dorm room when I got there. On the one hand, I really was happy he and Hilda seemed to be getting along.
And I also, after my tremor-inducing confrontation with Coop, wasn’t feeling up for a repeat scenario—with my friend. Hilda and I had never stayed mad at each other for long.
This was kinda long.
But the look Hilda threw me when she entered the room, the downward glance, the half grimace, the slump to her shoulders . . . She didn’t look mad at me anymore, at least.
“Hey hey Reporter Chica!”
“You could just call me Liv. It’s shorter and it seems like we’re going to be friends awhile.”
“It’s not nearly as much fun. Why don’t you cover hockey? Aren’t you the sports reporter for Victory Tech?”
“I’mbaseballfor Victory Tech. Not ice-boxing.”
“Too bad. I was hoping you could score us tickets. The damned game’s sold out.” The last part sounded a bit like a grown male . . . whining.
I checked the television screen behind him, as if it held some answer. “Sold out? Seriously?”
“That guy’s famous dad’s gonna be here.”
Hilda pointed. “Oh, oh, I’ve seen him before. Woah!”