Page 13 of Reckless With the Rookie
“You want to be part of this team, don’t you?”
If only drinking a few beers with the guys would accomplish that.Isaac, one of the highest-paid players on the team, just doesn’t get it.
“I do.But I need?—”
“You need to get laid, man.”He grins at me.“Nut the stress away.Works every time.”
“Not tonight.”
“Come on.At least be my wingman.”
My frustration boils over.Not just with Isaac—with everything.Living at hotels, the lack of a contract offer, and not seeing my family in more than a year.I’ve fucking had it.
“Go fuck yourself, Isaac.I’m not going out.I can’t make everything into a joke like you do.I’ve got too much on the line.”
He’s silent as I walk away.I was a dick, but some people won’t take a simple no for an answer.
My other teammates seem to sense my mood, avoiding me as I dress in my suit.Once I’m finished, I get my phone to check for messages, hoping there’s one from Art.
I have two messages.The first one is from my accountant’s office.
“Hi, Mr.Lundgren, it’s Nadia, one of Jim’s assistants.He wanted me to let you know your mom’s bank account dropped below the threshold you set to trigger a manual transfer.Jim had me move ten thousand into it, so I wanted to let you know that.Call us if you need anything further.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, my elbows on my knees.I don’t want my mother worrying about money.As far as my family knows, I’m living the dream right now, making great money.
In reality, I can’t afford to turn down any contract I’m offered, even if I have to play for the worst team in the league.My sister’s care and my mom’s expenses are my responsibility, so I have to make whatever money I make last a long time.
Mom’s frugal, but she’s been spending more traveling back and forth between her home and the facility Elin is at in Berlin.I have money transferred into her account monthly, and this is the first time she’s fallen below the minimum balance I set with my accountant’s office.
The second voicemail is from my mom, and it’s in Swedish.She’s congratulating me on our win, even though it’s almost five a.m.there.She’s never missed watching one of my games online with the internet-connected TV I had set up in her home.One day, I’ll get her to one in person, but she’s never been comfortable being that far from Elin since Elin’s injury.
I leave the locker room alone, my hair still damp from the shower.The team’s PR people didn’t ask me to be available for postgame interviews, which is both good and bad.
Bad, because it means I wasn’t one of the best players tonight.Good, because I’m not in a good frame of mind to be interviewed.
“Magnus.”
I turn to see Carter jogging toward me, dressed in a black suit and a pale-blue tie.He always gets asked for postgame interviews, so I’m not sure what he’s doing chasing me down.
“What’s up?”I ask when he reaches me.
“You okay?”
My shoulders slump with a sigh.“Yeah.I just wasn’t up for Isaac’s shit tonight.”
“I get it.I know you must be stressed.”
I shrug.“It’s a big waiting game.”
He puts a hand on my shoulder.“You’re going to get a great offer.I don’t know what team it will be with, but you’ve played at a high level this season.People have noticed.”
I nod.“Thank you.”
“I actually needed to catch you anyway, not just because of the Isaac thing.Are you free next Saturday night?”
My smile is wry.“If I’m not playing or practicing, I’m always free.”
“Would you be interested in going to a fundraiser for the Crush Foundation?Suki is a cochair and we’re taking a big group of friends.”
