A Guest Post with the Characters:
Robby and Morgan stepped up to the mic stand, the flashes from cameras going off in their faces. The press clamored to get their attention, then called out questions on top of each other in a jumble of voices. Press conferences and interviews were never his favorite part of the sport, but couldn’t be avoided. Especially now, with their first win a team.
He wiped the sweat off his brow and leaned in to the mic a bit. “This is our first win together at Worlds. I’m sure you all want to know about that. The one thing I want to say is…get ready for more.”
“Are you aiming for the Olympics? To play as a team there?”
Morgan chuckled, fielding the question like a pro. “Of course. Who wouldn’t be? We’re good together.” He touched his chest with one hand and put an arm around Robby with the other. He knew how to work a crowd, Robby had to give him that. He might have had less experience actually playing at a pro-level, but he had enough to deal with the press.
“Exactly,” Robby echoed his comment.
Another reporter called out. “Robby, Robby! Does this end all chances of playing with Ace.”
Robby frowned. He hated answering questions about Ace and their relationship, but they inevitably came. He cleared his throat. “The chances of playing with Ace were off the table long ago. Next.” He waved a finger.
“Are you still a couple.”
Robby hardly contained his eye roll. It never ended. Everyone always wanted to associate their private life with playing Volleyball. “Next question.”
Morgan whispered under his breath, “Damn.”
Robby huffed. More question were thrown at them. Most of them were about the game, their playing, missed opportunities on the court, and what they thought their chances of making it to the Olympics were. Robby and Morgan took the questions well, answering them as a team. It almost felt as good as playing together. They were well matched.
“Thank you.” Morgan waved his hand over his head. “That’s all.”
Robby followed him away from the mic and the crowd and off to the side of the venue. “You did well.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Morgan huffed. “I’ve been at this a while, despite what you think. Haven’t we covered this?”
“Easy tiger.” Robby patted his shoulder gently. “Only a simple compliment. And truth is, you did better than me. Never came close to losing your cool. I could learn from you.”
Morgan stopped and stared at Robby. “Holy shit, did that just come out of your mouth? The great Robby Gilcrest could learn from me?”
“Shut up.” Robby gave him an eye roll, then walked off. He was pretty sure Morgan would follow him. They had gotten off to a rocky start, but they could work together. They could challenge for an Olympic spot.
Clothes were strewn across the bed next to my suitcase. I dropped in a few shirts and then my hoodie, but I didn’t know what the weather would be like in Cambodia. I grabbed my phone, and apparently, it was summertime over there. I’d toss the hoodie to make room for extra shorts and shirts. Curious, I clicked around on my phone until I found a website for the venue where we would be playing. It was outside, but not on an actual beach. Hopefully, it would still be better for Robby. He preferred to be outside.
The front door slammed as I contemplated how he was doing. From all the banging around, I had to guess his practice didn’t go well.
“I’m home,” Robby called from the kitchen.
Dropping whatever article of clothing was in my hand, I headed down the hall to see how I could help. “How’d everything go?” I figured I’d get it out fast rather than let it fester with him.
“Sucked.” He took a drink of water from a bottle.
“Couldn’t have been that bad.”
He set the water on the counter. “It was.”
“Okay, how?”
“Morgan. He’s an idiot. I thought he had skill, but now I’m not so sure.” He shook his head.
“You’re probably being too hard on him.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It was probably me. I’m washed up and can’t set a ball to save my life.”
I glared at him. “Knock it off. What’s the real problem here?”
Before he could answer, my phone buzzed and rang with the generic tone, which meant I didn’t know who was calling. I looked at the number. “I think it’s the police.”
“Well, answer it.”
“Hello?”
“Mr. Archie Henderson?” a squeaky voice asked.
“Yes, and it’s Ace, please.”
“Sure. Mr. Ace. We’ve recovered one of the items stolen from your break-in. You can come by tomorrow morning to pick it up. Bring ID.”
“That’s great. Thanks. What was it?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. Just come pick it up—eight am.” They hung up, and I slid the phone across the counter.
“What’s wonderful?” Robby asked.
“They found something.”
“They know who did it?”
I shook my head. “They didn’t say that. They recovered something. I don’t know what, but we can swing in to get it before going to the airport.”
“I guess it’s something.”
“Yep. Let’s get packed.”
I love your books and can’t wait to read Volley. It’s sounds fun!
love lynn’s stories and cant wait for this one too
Good one, nice to learn about. Neat excerpt.
That is a great cover! I love how sexy he looks!