“What I mean by it not being easy is that only certain people get it.” He pauses. “And you’re not one of them. Your best bet is to ask your wrestling buddy. He’s one of them.”

“How do you know?”

He rolls his eyes. “Dude, you can’t be serious. All you have to do is look at him.”

“But what if I was willing to pay big money for my own?”

“Zach, you don’t understand. What I’m saying is that you can’t buy it.” He shakes his head. “Well, I suppose you could if you found the right source, but from my experience at Blaine Memorial, stuff like that isn’t bought and sold.” He pauses and looks around as if he’s unsure of whether to say anything else. But he does. “It’s provided to the guys who show the most potential,” he almost whispers. “Guys like Tank Foster.”

“And guys like you.”

He shrugs. “Like I said, I’ve never needed it.”

“But the offers have been there.”

He nods, barely. “The offer was always there. Probably still is.”

“Especially during baseball season, right?”

“Yeah, what a surprise, huh?” He raises his eyebrows.

“Is it a coach?”

Silence.

Then: “You’re on your own, Ramsey.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m done here. Go inside so I can get the beer I already paid for.”

“What about Justin?” I ask. “Did he get offers?”

“You’re on your own, Zach,” Victor says again, this time with authority. He gives me a hard look that makes it clear he’s serious.

I turn and go back to the empty cart. The rusty wheels squeak and moan as they roll across the cracked asphalt.

Chapter_11

11

You can only stay away from your best friend for so long, especially when you totally want his twin sister, you’re spying on his dad for cash, and you’re seriously trying to bust whoever is giving him illegal drugs.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been trying to contact him—I knocked on Tank’s basement window a few times at night, but he never answered, probably had music blaring through his earbuds and couldn’t hear me. I even sent a few texts and emails, but since his dad confiscated his technology I knew I wouldn’t receive a single reply.

All of this, of course, means I really want to see Tank. What does a guy do when he’s alone and grounded in the basement during the height of summer, anyway? Knowing Tank, he probably works out all day and watches Ultimate Fighting Championship DVDs.

Knowing Big Dale’s off doing the undercover thing or whatever this morning, I wake up extra early to avoid having to deal with my dad. In the bathroom, I’m about to jump in the shower when I realize I might run into Sarah this morning as well.