On The Rebound (Steinbeck U #1) - L.A. Cotton Page 0,70

me and Josie?”

“Dude,” I clapped him on the shoulder, “I think he’ll take your balls too.”

“Fuck,” he breathed.

“Yeah, fuck.”

“But what if I can’t switch off how I feel? I know things didn’t go right with Reese, but I really feel like Jos could be the one.”

“The one?” I jerked back. “Just how drunk are you?”

“I’ve had a few.”

My eyes narrowed. “Don’t let Joel hear you talking like that.”

“The rule is stupid though, right?”

I shrugged. “It keeps things drama free I guess.”

Just then Callum appeared, parting the crowd like Moses.

“Well, shit,” Brad whistled through his teeth, “he actually came.”

“I guess Maverick finally got through to him.” I watched the two of them guy hug. Maverick leaned in, whispering something to Callum and he nodded, letting out a strained breath.

“He’s like the Scorpion whisperer or some shit.” Brad sounded kind of awed.

“Scorpion whisperer?” I snorted. “You’re a fucking idiot.”

“Who’s an idiot?” Saul joined us.

“Brad, he’s got a man crush on Prince.”

“Who doesn’t have a man crush on Prince, the guy’s practically a god.”

I smothered a groan. They all had fucking stars in their eyes. But I guess that was the difference between them and me. They lived, breathed, and bled basketball. I on the other hand, didn’t. It had become an outlet for all my anger and frustration, sure. But it would still never mean the same thing it meant to these guys. They had hopes of the NBA, of fame and fortune and going all the way to the top.

Most of them wouldn’t ever get there, but they wanted it all the same.

I just wanted to survive college.

Didn’t I?

“It’s a good thing Callum came,” Saul said. “He’s still a senior player. He should be here, especially for the freshman.”

Brad nodded. “Yo, Callum, come take a shooter with us, man.”

Maverick guided him over to us. “Did somebody say shooters?”

“Hell yeah.” Saul fixed his eyes on Callum. “It’s good to see you here, man.”

“Yeah, well someone was like a dog with a bone.” His hard gaze flicked to Maverick, who smirked.

“He wouldn’t want you to be sulking in your room.”

“I’m not—yeah,” he ran a hand through his hair, “you’re right. Go on then, line them up.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Saul flagged down the bartender and ordered a tray of shooters, handing them out to everyone. “I just want to say,” he cleared his throat, “it’s a real fucking honor, Maverick.”

“Oh, Jesus,” I grumbled beneath my breath.

“Just how drunk is he?” Maverick whispered out the side of his mouth.

“Drunk enough that he might get down and start kissing your feet.” Brad snickered.

“Okay, okay, Sa—”

“Saul.” He flashed Maverick a goofy grin.

“Saul. Why don’t you let me take it from here?” Maverick faced us, lifting his glass in the air. “This team has had it rough over the last eighteen months, but the harder the fight, the sweeter the victory. This season is yours. You just have to want it. You have to leave all the other shit at the door and when you step out onto that court, you have to believe it can happen.”

Everyone stopped to listen to Maverick’s pep talk. He hadn’t gone pro—his accident had prevented that—but he’d had it. He’d had what it took to go all the way. So he knew what the game meant to everyone here. Knew what it meant to the college and the town. People didn’t want the Scorpions to play well and score points and do their best... they wanted us to win. They wanted us to go all the way.

As captain and point guard it was a huge fucking burden to carry.

He raised his glass high in the air. “For Declan.”

“Declan.” His name reverberated inside me like a dull ache I couldn’t get rid of. I sucked in a sharp breath.

So much for playing for myself.

Maverick met my narrowed gaze and gave me a small nod. His eyes shone with sympathy. There was an apology in there somewhere, but I knew he was only doing his part.

I downed my shooter, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand before grabbing another one.

“Is that a good idea?” Brad asked me and I waved him off.

“Probably not.”

But I couldn’t find it in me to care.

“What the fuck did you say?”

“Uh oh,” Brad whistled from beside me, nudging my shoulder. It was getting late and I was about ready to call it a night.

I turned around, to see what all the commotion was, narrowing my eyes when I saw Callum and Saul squaring off with