Page 60 of Call the Shots (For The Arena #1)

JUNE

PAROLE OFFICER’S SIGN OFF

I tried—we all did—but the miracle didn’t materialize and the calls for transfers became all too real.

The end between Bear and me was coming anyway, just like the Gladiators. Even if a miracle happened, I’d move in with my parents and Bear would have his hockey season, and then he’d go to the NHL while I had law school…

Our lives were heading in different directions.

After practice, we walked to class. He talked about an upcoming gaming session, and I watched him, warm and golden in the sunshine.

The way the light played with his hair, poking out from his Boston Bulldogs baseball cap, the way his lips quirked up for a smile while he talked about his baby cousins…

“And—uh—they thought it’d be cool if you joined.”

I blinked in surprise. “Like the four of us?”

“Yeah. They thought—I thought—it’d be fun to do together. I know gaming isn’t your thing, but Zoo Cultivation IV is really easy, and I could teach you how to?—”

“I’d love to,” I murmured.

A hopeful smile played on his lips. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s cool—that’s great. Awesome. I’ll let them know.”

I reached to slip off his Boston Bulldogs cap. “This isn’t the end of us being friends by the way. When you’re a big hockey star, I’m visiting to steal the jerseys and gear and crap your team throws at you.”

“The Bulldogs didn’t give me the hat,” he chuckled.

“You didn’t get this for the draft?”

“No—getting gear is considered like signing a contract. I bought that in the gift shop. This old lady quilt shop printed my name on it for twenty bucks.”

I took off the cap and gazed at it. When I first moved in, I thought it was Bear showing off what his official team sent him, I didn’t realize Bear bought it himself. I didn’t realize it was that special. Quickly, I tried to put it back on Bear, but he ducked away from me.

“Bear, you’re too tall, I can’t?—”

“The hat’s yours.”

My eyes darted to his. “What?”

“You want my gear, you can have it.” His smile softened. “All yours, killer.”

I tried to give it back to him, I really did, but Bear threaded his fingers through my ponytail, slipping the hat on properly, before he tugged it into place. My heart crashed against my ribcage as he stepped back, studying me.

He nodded. “Yeah, that’s perfect.”

I walked with him, silent, and there he went, talking about video games again.

I’d never forget him and our summer. Bear had done so much for me, he meant so much to me. An idea struck and I snuck another look at him, thinking it over.

Before Bear left, I wanted to give him the thank you he’d always remember me for.

I wanted to fuck that man so good, he’d buy a Texas Girls Do It Better bumper sticker. I wanted the memory to haunt him. I could buy a new bottle of lube after class—oh, I’d rock his fucking world.

“Bear!” Denali’s yell shattered my daydream. “June!”

We turned to Denali followed by Fridge and Elijah.

“The checks came through!” Elijah blurted.

Denali grinned a bittersweet one. “It’s backpay so we’re going to Gianna’s tonight. One last party for the Gladiators.”

Oh.

I was going to proposition Bear tonight. As if he could taste my indecision, Bear hesitated, his eyebrows drawn with concern. He glanced down at me. “Can I go?”

The guys gawked and a blush colored my cheeks.

“Did you ask her if you can come?” Denali said incredulously. “June isn’t your prison warden. Dude, grow a pair?—”

“Denali, shut the fuck up,” Bear warned taking me by the elbow away from the others. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot?—”

“Bear, you don’t need my permission?—”

“We canceled the movie night, I didn’t know if we’re rescheduling? And you’re staying away from alcohol. I don’t want to knock any progress.”

Wow, he added a messy blowjob to his future, and he didn’t even know it.

“Bear!” Denali shouted. “What’s the hold up? You’re coming!”

Bear glared. “Don’t ruin my good fucking mood, you’re really starting to piss me off.” The glare vanished when he turned to me. “I don’t want to pressure you, and you don’t have to drink, but…if you’re not going, I don’t want to go.”

I could do one of two things. I could tell Bear that we were fucking each other’s brains out to a three-hour RnB mixtape or…

My eyes flickered to the guys. With different university requirements, some transfers would happen earlier than others.

Until we got a hold of more information, everything was up in the air.

How long did they have together as a team?

I couldn’t take that away from him.

“The mocktails are calling my name.” I smiled.

The matching grin on his face made it worth it. We returned to the guys where Denali made a sympathetic noise. “Did your parole officer sign off? Are you allowed to leave the house? Is she taking off your ankle monitor?”

“When I want your fucking opinion, I’ll go to your incel support group,” Bear retorted.

It wasn’t only the Gladiators. I had Willow and Tallulah in my dorm to tag along. We sat Tallulah at my desk, and I cracked open some makeup I hadn’t tried out yet.

“I don’t wear a lot of makeup,” Tallulah confessed. “I’m not, like, against it. My cousins did my makeup when I was in third grade, and I got this gross eye infection—” Tallulah flinched. “I’m sorry—I’m rambling—that’s disgusting—I’m so nervous about tonight?—”

“No reason to be nervous,” I assured her, taking out a new shade of lipstick.

“Fridge is the first guy who’s been interested in more than—you know—” She blushed. “I’m going to miss him.” She accidentally dropped the lipstick I offered and rushed through apologies. “So—um—tonight, I’m checking this item off this college bucket list and it’s the first item I’ve checked off?—”

“College bucket list?” Willow asked, intrigued.

Her blush deepened. “I don’t know who I thought I was when I wrote it but tonight, I’m crossing off—” She lowered her voice. “Drunk you-know-what.”

“Drunk sex?” I said, genuinely wondering.

“Uh-huh. We’re doing the green-yellow-red stoplight safeword system and we’re both keeping to a three-drink maximum. I’m so excited.” Her giggle faded. “Nick overheard and he’s sleeping in the lounge. I don’t think he likes me.”

I frowned. “No, he likes you.”

“He leaves every time I spend the night.”

“That’s probably because Nick has someone else’s dorm to get to,” Willow laughed.

Willow helped me with a new look. Lighter, more fun, and pretty eyelashes she swore by. My hair was twisted halfway up and braided, not my usual style, and I bought a dress for the night, sweet, summery, and not form fitting to make me anxious.

I stepped out to see a dozen hockey players around our couch, gaming with Bear or cursing at him, as usual. I kept my voice low. “Tallulah’s trying something new, if I hear anyone making a big deal about her baring more skin, I will hit you with a frying pan.”

The guys agreed and Bear glanced away from the screen. Our eyes met before his trailed down the dress, fingers stilling on the controller.

Success .

I raised my eyebrows. “Something you want to say, Bear?”

“Huh?” He shifted. “Uh?—”

“Fridge took Bear!” Sully shouted.

Bear whipped to look at the screen as the guys roared with excitement, urging on Fridge. The two of them swore at each other before Fridge crossed the finish line.

“ Ahhhh, ” Fridge sighed happily. “Time to knock down BMoreau from the leaderboard.”

“That doesn’t count! June was talking, I was distracted!”

Fridge was the only other name in a sea of Bears and my bedroom door opened again, stopping Bear from cussing him out. Willow emerged in a beautiful black-and-white romper and Tallulah followed in a crop top and a jean skirt. She was so nervous but looked so cute.

“Wow, Tallulah.” Fridge smiled. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, bright red. “The skirt has—um—compression shorts so my thighs don’t rub because I had that happen a lot last summer?—”

The door opened and Nick walked through. “I got the pre-party drinks—” His words faltered when he caught sight of Tallulah and the bottles slipped from his hand, spilling Tequila all over the floor. Everyone leaped to help clean while Nick apologized, about as embarrassed as Tallulah.