“I’m not asking you to! I’m just telling you it means I’d be a fucking fool if I…”

Beck stands and starts walking away.

For the second time today, I chase after him. “It would be really nice if you could cut it out with the taking off,” I snap when I catch up. “I thought you came all this way to talk—you can’t even make it through a full conversation.”

“Well, I got a little sick of being criticized. Figured I’d wait at your car while you got changed.”

“I’m not changing. I’ll deal with the team inquisition later.”

“Is that my fault, too?”

I sigh as we reach the fence encompassing the field. “I’m not trying to blame you for anything, Beck.” No response. “How long are you staying for?”

“No idea. I didn’t think this trip through, clearly.”

Shit, shit, shit. He came all this way, and I can’t seem to stop fucking it up. “I could give you a tour of campus?” I ask tentatively. At this point, I’m expecting Beck to want nothing from me but a ride to the airport.

“Hey, Scott!” I turn to see Kyle Andrews jogging over. I list off a long and impressive array of profanities in my head. “Reliving your game yesterday? Heard it was fucking epic—holy shit. You’re Adler Beck.” He glances between me and Beck twice. “This is Adler Beck.”

If I were in a better mood, I would laugh.

“Holy shit,” Kyle repeats. “You’re—I mean, man. I’m a huge fan! We always watch the Kluvberg games. I can’t believe—I wish…” Kyle glances around like he’s waiting for someone to appear with a camera to commemorate the moment.

I take pity on him. “Beck, this is Kyle. He’s on the men’s soccer team.”

“I’m the captain, actually.” Kyle gives me a side glance.

“Wasn’t sure if you wanted to take credit for going one and three,” I say sweetly.

Kyle glares at me, but it morphs into a worshipful expression when Beck holds out a calloused palm and says, “Nice to meet you.”

Kyle looks a bit dazed as he shakes Beck’s hand and I chuckle. “As entertaining as watching you completely lose your cool is, we’ve got to get going.” I start walking, and Beck follows. “If you want that tour of campus, we should probably do it now, before Kyle tells the whole school you’re here,” I tell him.

“He a friend of yours?” Beck asks.

“I guess.”

“Good friend?” He’s fishing, and we both know it.