Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 117363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Lisinski turned on Jean next. “Does no-contact mean something different where you come from?”
“No, Coach,” Jean said. When she continued to stare at him, he dropped his gaze and said, “The only Ravens who were allowed no-contact status were Kevin and the King, when they had upcoming media tours and events. I am unaccustomed to it. I will be better.”
“Words are empty,” Lisinski said. “Prove it on the court.”
She waved them off, so they returned to where the rest of the subs stood at the court wall.
Xavier considered Jean for a few moments before saying, “Kind of docile for a Raven. We assumed you’d be all rudeness and rage.”
“My rage is here,” Jean said, with a hand to the court wall. “Ravens know better than to question our coaches. We are nothing without their guidance. The Trojans’ informality and disrespect is repulsive.”
Xavier shrugged that off. “They’re not gods, you know? They trust us to bring our best, and we trust them to help shape us into something even better. We don’t have to grovel to show our respect.”
Jean glanced past him toward the coaches. White and Jimenez were pacing up and down the wall as they studied their players, clipboards in hands as they made notes. Rhemann was sitting on the bench, arms over his chest as he watched the flow of the game. Jean’s gaze had barely settled on him before Rhemann glanced his way and motioned him over. Jean obediently went to stand in front of him, but Rhemann pointed at the bench at his side. A coach who had to get up to strike hit harder than one who could simply take a swing, so Jean sat just within arm’s reach.
“Jean Moreau,” Rhemann said. “I figure we’re overdue for a meeting, hm? I’ve been kept abreast of your progress from my staff and captain, but I thought it best to keep my distance until things settled down a bit. I assume you’ve heard the school wants to put a camera in your face.”
Jean’s jaw worked on refusals he didn’t dare voice. “Yes, Coach.”
“I’ve been stalling as long as I can,” Rhemann said. “The Ravens’ unfortunate collapse worked in your favor on that point, as it was easier to justify your silence when your former teammates were struggling so publicly. However, Edgar Allan has a press conference scheduled for this Wednesday to formally introduce their new coaching team, and their summer practices will start next week barring any additional disasters. With that will come a renewed interest in your side of the story.”
I won’t, Jean thought. I won’t, I won’t, I can’t. “Yes, Coach.”
“Coach Wymack has offered to loan us Kevin for a day,” Rhemann said, and Jean stopped breathing. “I don’t remember if it was his idea or Kevin’s, but he’s willing to fly him out here for a joint interview in August. I don’t know how well the two of you get on, so I told him I’d have to ask you first. Are you interested?”
“Yes, Coach,” he said, quick enough that Rhemann sent him an amused look. “Thank you, Coach.”
How they were supposed to get through an interview when they couldn’t even talk to each other, Jean didn’t know, but that was a problem for another time. Kevin knew Jean wasn’t allowed to talk to the press, and he could carry an interview without any help.
“I’ll set it up,” Rhemann said. “Off with you, then.”
Jean got up but only made it a few steps away before Rhemann called after him, “And Moreau—for god’s sake, twist away.”
Jean swallowed a weary sigh. “Yes, Coach.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jeremy
Before leaving practice on Monday, five Trojans stopped by Jeremy’s locker to hand him printed copies of their schedules: the five most likely Trojans to have overlapping classes with Jean. As soon as Jeremy had gotten a list of potential classmates from Coach Rhemann, he’d called all of them one at a time to explain the Ravens’ buddy system and why he was allowing Jean to lean on it here. Dropping Kevin’s name had been the most helpful tactic; the Trojans didn’t know what to make of this scandal-chased backliner of theirs, but Kevin was a years-long Trojan fan and someone worth listening to.
“Thanks, thanks,” he said as he collected them in a tidy stack. “Welcome back! Here’s to another exciting day tomorrow!”
Jean caught up to him before Cat and Laila did and sat beside Jeremy on the bench. Jeremy lifted his papers to show Jean and said, “Your class registration window will have opened this morning, so that’ll give you something to stress over tonight. Turns out seven of us are in business or business-adjacent majors, but two are freshmen and will be too far behind you. Shane will probably be your best bet, since he’s also a senior majoring in business. Have you had time to look over the catalogue at all?”