“This is just for recruits?”
“Hockey, specifically. Each team has their own recruitment video and there’s a generic one too that combines pieces from all the videos. We do tours for the community, local schools, and alumni too.” She shows me the tablet where I can select and play the videos and then how to get in and out of the room because it’s a very fancy coded system that seals you in and won’t open while the video is playing.
I follow her out of the room, still a little awestruck.
“That’s the last stop on the tour. Once you’re finished in the hype room, you’ll walk them to the front desk and the coach from whichever team they’re here for will take over.”
“I didn’t realize how much effort they put into getting athletes to come to Valley.”
“They recruit hard. Basketball and hockey especially. So, do you have any questions? Feel ready to lead one on your own?”
“No, I’m probably going to totally botch it. How long have you worked here?”
“Since my freshman year. I quit the track team, but I still wanted to be a part of something that was sports-related. They like to hire student-athletes since we’re familiar with a lot of the facilities and can answer questions they might have.”
She must read the panic on my face because she laughs and adds, “You’ll be fine. It isn’t that hard. You probably know more than you think from Adam.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Dakota smiles. “We’re just here to get them excited about Valley. You’re one of the few people they’ll meet outside of the team. It’s fun. You get to meet a lot of top athletes from all over the country, and if they come to Valley, you’ll see them again and know you were part of getting them here. I’m doing two tours today, volleyball and hockey, so you’ll shadow me and see how easy it is.”
We take a break to grab lunch before our afternoon of leading recruits around campus.
I sit across from Dakota at an outdoor table outside of University Hall.
“So, you and Heath looked pretty cozy last night.”
“He was drunk.”
“Drunk Heath is hilariously honest. One time, he told me I was really pretty, but not his type because I was too bossy.” She takes a sip from her straw and then adds, “Which is totally true. But you and him, I could see it.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Except that time you kissed.” She raises a brow pointedly and takes another bite of her sandwich.
“It was the gummy bears.”
“Would it really be the worst thing to admit you like him?”
“Even if I did, Heath made it clear that he isn’t interested in dating and that Adam’s little sister was off-limits.”
“Your brother shouldn’t be giving anyone orders on being single. The man goes from one relationship to the next.”
“He’s always been like that. He got his first girlfriend in seventh grade and probably hasn’t been without one for more than a week since.”
“Taryn seems nice. I like her better than the last one, Heather.”
“Heather wasn’t the last one. He dated Maria over the summer.” I shrug. “Taryn’s okay. I try not to get attached anymore.”
“Makes sense. Probably especially hard given Taryn’s history with Heath.”
My head pops up. “She dated Heath?”
“Dated might be a stretch. They were more like fuck buddies. Those two were going at it all the time loudly and everywhere.”
My face heats and the food in my mouth turns to paste.
Dakota busts up laughing. “I’m totally kidding. I’m sorry; I couldn’t resist.” She points a fry at me. “I knew you liked him.”
The first tour is a local high school volleyball player. She towers over me and I keep pushing up onto my tiptoes, so I don’t feel so small. I barely say a word after introducing myself, and instead let Dakota take charge while I try to memorize every detail she says. I really don’t want to screw this up when it’s my turn to lead a tour on my own.
The hype room is just as cool the second time around and as we hand her off to the coach of the volleyball team, I’m feeling better about the job.
“The next one should be here in five.” She reads from the tablet and then passes it to me. “Nick, a senior from Newburg High in Boston.”
I look over Nick’s information at the front desk while we wait. The scouting reports are detailed and makes me appreciate how much effort goes into recruiting athletes to Valley.
Maybe Adam and our parents downplayed it, but hockey was just sort of this thing he did. Adam never made a big deal out of touring colleges or getting a full-ride scholarship. Even when he had NHL teams inviting him to summer camps and agents asking about his plans after college, he waved it off like it was nothing. I’m not sure why he doesn’t want to go pro, but he’s wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember.
My thoughts briefly go to Bryan. He came to Valley and did a tour that probably looked a lot like this, too. He hadn’t made a big deal out of it either. Maybe the jocks in my life are used to being fawned over like this. Freaking jocks.
I’m only checking Bryan’s social media every other day now, a real step in the right direction from the hours I spent obsessing after we first broke up. Since I’ve started hanging out with Dakota and Reagan, I’m less jealous of his happy photos with new friends. He likes every single thing I post as if he truly believes we’re cool and going to step right back into the way we were when we see each other again.
“There he is,” Dakota says, breaking my thoughts. I look up to find Adam and Heath walking Nick through the front doors. Heath and my brother are wearing matching Valley Hockey T-shirts and jeans.
I smile
