Page 45 of Call the Shots (For The Arena #1)
JUNE
JUST DISAPPOINTED
We grabbed drinks after dinner, and my big goal was to be present in every conversation. My friends jumped between talking about the freshmen players—I didn’t know them—the paintball tournament—I didn’t go—and the private jokes that’d accumulated since January.
“Kassie’s working on getting into this animation internship,” I started.
She grinned. “Got into it.”
“You did?” I pulled her into a hug, shocked. “I—I didn’t know?—”
“I posted it in the group chat, I should’ve texted you?—”
“There’s this wrap place on the first floor,” Willow added. “They’re so good, and Kassie gets a discount for interning at the animation studio.”
I wouldn’t let myself feel left out—I did this. So I smiled and nodded, trying to keep a running tab of everything I missed.
The mental notetaking came to a stop when my phone rang.
I knew who it was before I even checked.
It was Bear calling before bed. I hurried to pull my phone out. For as chaotic and unruly as they could be, I missed the hockey team, and…Bear.
How did that happen? Somehow, I went from rolling my eyes when I heard his door open to waiting for it.
Bear could be an asshole—absolutely. That’s what he was known for on the team, yet I’d uncovered this side of him that I didn’t know existed.
This sweet, soft part of him he didn’t show anyone else.
I missed him. I missed how he’d elbow me out of the kitchen when I tried to load the dishwasher, missed walking to the Colo together.
Missed stumbling upon these little ‘firsts’ for Bear.
Those moments when he’d admit he’d never done that before—bowling with his team, baking something, dancing at parties—and I’d get to see his hesitation melt into excitement when he’d branch out and the world didn’t shut him down, it welcomed him in.
Damn. I missed him.
But it was my mom calling.
My mom?
I whispered an apology to my friends on my way out, finding a quiet section to answer the phone.
“Mama? Is everything?—?”
“There’s an email saying you’re banned from the housing department. I don’t…? Is this spam?”
My heart skipped a beat. “I—uh?—”
“Banned for…” She paused. “Erratic and disruptive behavior? For disturbing the peace? Junie, were you arrested? ”
“No—I?—”
“What is this?”
Xavier emailed my mom? We weren’t in high school anymore, we were in college, what the hell? I squeezed my eyes shut while she continued, hurrying through questions until the big one.
“How serious is this?”
“The hockey team helped me get my stuff from the housing department, desks and couches and?—”
“Do you need money? Do you need furniture?”
“No—”
“Then why would you take them?”
“Because Xavier didn’t?—”
“Why would you lower yourself to him? This is just what we need—you’re ripping couches from people’s homes?—”
“It was the housing office?—”
“An office with cameras? ”
“I’m sorry—I’m really sorry?—”
“Is there anything else I need to know? Anything you want to prepare me for?”
The truth rushed out of me. “I failed my spring classes.”
“ What?! ”
“I’m redoing them, I promise, I have above a ninety-five in all of them but?—”
“How could you fail your classes?! ” She breathed in deeply. “I asked you kids in December what we needed to clean up before we started the race again, I knew I could count on you! You know what your dad’s going to think—I’m not angry. I love you. I’m…so disappointed.”
“This—this is private information, Xavier can’t email this?—”
“I’m not entertaining that— no. That’s what he wants, attention, and I won’t have your name on a petty lawsuit—” She sighed. “Tell me everything’s fine.”
I struggled to swallow. “I—I don’t think so.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. I’m trying, but?—”
“You’re retaking your classes, you won’t go to whatever department anymore, so you should be fine.”
“Mama—”
“Are you drinking?”
“I—um—had one or two…”
“And…you’re in Austin.” There was a tense silence that made my stomach lurch. “We’ll talk when you’re home and sober . Because this is unacceptable. You’re not letting something as small as a man keep you down. That’s not who we are. That’s not how I raised you.”
“Mama…”
“You’re worth so much, Junie. I can’t understand…I swear, I don’t know you anymore.”