Page 7 of Chasing Headlines
“Really?”
She took a deep breath and let out an extended sigh. “Find a way to relate it to freshmen adjusting to life on campus, tie in the sports rivalries as a unique aspect athletes have to deal with. Bring me a pitch. I'll give you three weeks since school doesn't start for another two.”
“Yes, ma'am.” I bit my lip so hard to keep myself from shouting.
“But I need you to do your research on Founders’ Day at the same time. Because your proposal for that story, believe me when I tell you: you're not going to hit gold the first time. Expect me to send you back to the drawing board three or four times.”
I nodded like one of those bobblehead dolls. “Of course, Mrs. P. I promise, I'll do my best.”
“Great.” She stood from her chair. “So, you're happy? You have work to do?”
“Plenty,” I said as I rose from my seat. I pulled my backpack over one arm and gave her a smile.
“Perfect. My job is done.” She opened the door to her office. “Lovely meeting you, Liv. I look forward to getting to know you this semester.”
I stared.Was she joking?
“Something wrong?”
“I just want to make sure I understand. Iambeing considered for the baseball beat?”
She gripped her glasses with both hands. “For the moment, you're assigned to the paper. In theoffseason, you will work any baseball-related stories we agree on. And you will be the sole reporter assigned to the exhibition game.”
Relief bubbled through my veins like ice cold water on my lips. “That's fair. Totally fair. But I can start on those profiles like today. Get a head start?”
“Yes, but Liv, I shouldn't have to explain this.” She sighed. “Just, understand that . . . I look forward to receiving those pitches.”
“Yes, ma'am.” I looked at her.Hug? Handshake?
The woman tapped the edge of her door and lifted one eyebrow.
Guess not.I turned on my heel and escaped from Mrs. P's office before she could change her mind.
“Thank you!” I called out over my shoulder. Not sure if she heard me but it didn't matter. I'd scored my ticket to freshman baseball camp.
Chapter Two
Breslin POV
Couronne County Court Building
Istared at the grey tile floor and wondered, for not the first time, how my life had turned out like this. I wasn't a delinquent. I had followed the rules—for the most part. I'd tried to be a good leader on the baseball field and off. I did my best to be a good son. As far as anyone can be good at trying to grow up, be a man, and still be treated like a stupid kid who didn’t know his own mind.
Or have the sense to seek shelter in an Oklahoma rainstorm. If you’d asked my dad, that is.
I glanced at the deputy sheriff's desk. The still-empty chair. Air whooshed through the confined space and battled the dogged heat. I cast a look over my shoulder, but no sign of the deputy. Deputy, er . . . I found the guy's business card holder, and pulled one from the stack.Deputy Tom Reegan.
I let out a sigh and sat back in the plastic chair. It complained beneath the added muscle mass I'd put on over the summer.Tired of working out. Time to get back on the field.
The doorknob clacked behind me. I turned as I stood. Deputy Reegan lifted the cowboy hat from his head as he entered theroom. “So, Mr. Cooper of Texas State Tech.” He sat with a huff in his chair and placed a manila folder on top of his desk. “Take a seat. Mind if I call you Coop?”
I shrugged and folded myself onto the whiny plastic thing, again. It groaned.
“Coach Eberhardt signed on to be your campus sponsor. He'll have to file a weekly report until the terms of your probation have been met.” The West Texas drawl was something else. Not that Oklahoma's was much better, but at leastfiledidn't sound like the umpire calling a ball “foul.”
I nodded and tried to read the paperwork upside down. He lifted the folder and leaned back. I half-expected him to rest his bootheels on his desk. Pretty sure this place usually had sawdust on the floor out of habit.
“I have the latest from Doc Hamer. You've checked in and set up your sessions with her.”