Page 42

Chapter 41

Team Chat

Sully: Someone explain to me why I just saw Rookie’s face on the side of a city bus.

Titan:

Rico: Where have you been? Those pictures of that fool are all over town: buses, billboards, social media, the side of the stadium.

Sully: Rookie, explain yourself.

Ryder: Groans . . .

Dylan: The cheerleader is hot.

Ryder: (Deep sigh) Can we just not.

Dylan: All I’m saying is that photo session with her looks like it could have been a good time.

Ryder: It wasn’t. It was awkward, and I would have rather chewed my hand off than sit there next to her.

Sully: You said you read the handbook. You know there’s a strong no-fraternization policy with the cheerleaders.

Ryder: This wasn’t my doing! Talk to marketing if you don’t like it. I can assure you I didn’t.

Sully: Quite frankly, I’m offended. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want a seasoned captain to be the face of the team.

Rico: Because your ugly mug would offend everyone else.

Titan:

Jonah: Sorry, Sully. But no.

Sully: What’s wrong with my face?

Rico: You want a list?

Sully: Fuck off, Rico. I don’t see them using you either. I may not be the most handsome on the team, but you represent us with a blow-up doll.

Rico: Tammy gets the job done . . . two words: Hover. Lane.

Camden: Market research shows that people are more likely to engage and follow accounts who are aesthetically pleasing. They picked Ryder and the girl because they look good together and have history.

Rico: Bro, you have history with this girl?

Ryder: Please make it stop.

Tyler: This I need to hear.

Sully: . . . Whispers . . . handbook

Ryder: No, you don’t. And trust me when I say Alice and I wanted no part of this.

Dylan: Alice. Pretty name for a pretty girl.

Ryder: Stop talking about her.

Rico: Feisty and sus.

Ryder:

Dylan: I don’t know. Seems there might be a story there.

Ryder: The only story applicable to any of you is that we know each other from a past life. We hate each other, and we’re being forced to work together. So drop it.

Dylan: Applicable. The plot thickens.

Ryder: No, it doesn’t. Fuck right off with that noise.

Bryan: To be continued.