15. Goldie
FIFTEEN
GOLDIE
You’ve got two new messages. First message:
Professor Goldie, it’s me. I mean it’s Ace. Acer.
Fuck [mutters under breath]. Ace Bailey.
I saw that you were at the game and I wanted to thank you for your intel on Bellamy. I’m not sure if you noticed, but I did what you said to do, and it worked. It fuckin’ worked.
Shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean to swear on your voicemail.
I want to say thank you. Let me buy you a drink. We’re going to be at Ultimate Sports.
That’s all. Thank you.
Next message:
Hi, uh, Goldie. It’s me again. Acer.
I don’t want to say thank you. That’s not what I meant. I mean, yes, I do want to say thank you, but it’s so much more.
I have to resign from your study.
[Footsteps echoing and background noise of men chatting fall silent]
I can’t do it. I can’t walk into that room and see you and not reach out to touch you. I can’t sit in that chair and watch your mouth move and forget what I was going to say because you’re so goddamn beautiful. I can’t talk hockey with you and pretend like it doesn’t get me rock fucking hard. I can’t keep seeing you if I can’t take you out on a proper date.
I know that you can’t date one of your subjects, so I’m resigning.
Goldie.
[Voice drops into a whisper]
I used to think that a woman would distract me from my game. But you make everything so much better. I’m not just a hockey player. I mean, I guess I am, but will you give this just-a-hockey-player a chance? Will you break that rule of yours—for me?
[Man shouts from background] ACER. Let’s go!
[Ace yells off message] I’m coming!
Meet me at Ultimate Sports. Fire me from your study and break your rule. I promise you, it will be worth it.