Finding 4

Chapter 44

Callum

I start running, smacking the sliotar as I do. My training boots tear into the pitch, sending mud and wet grass flying up, sticking to my legs.

I was cleared this morning to play, finally. Right now, we are just doing a scrimmage, and normally I wouldn't be trying so hard while playing my own teammates, but this isn't just a scrimmage.

No, because Glenn Murphy is sitting in those stands, with a clipboard and a stern expression.

I have to play good. Glenn Murphy is Cork's hurling team's head coach. This could kickstart my career.

I have to play my best.

"Over here!" Niall shouts when Grady starts running to me.

I lift the sliotar off of the ground and smack it over to him, where he bounces it and pushes it across the ground. We approach our posts, and he quickly passes it back to me, where I smack it over.

"Yeah!" He throws his hands up at my score, jogging over to me.

After the scrimmage match, I'm sitting in the locker room, a towel draped around my waist as I rub on some deodorant.

"Callum." Dad says, sticking his head out of his office.

I look up "Yeah?"

"Come here when you're done."

I nod, and catch a glimpse of Glenn sitting in a chair in dad's office. A mix of excitement and a little bit of nervousness flashes through me, and I let out a breath.

"Bro." Niall says from next to me.

He saw Glenn too.

I look over at him, and not wanting to get my hopes up I add, "It's probably nothing."

Niall snorts "Yeah. Whatever."

I tug on a pair of dark washed jeans, and a dark grey quarter zip over my white tee. I slip on a pair of socks, and then put on my old pair of air forces. I wear them on rainy days because they can't get destroyed anymore than they already are.

I knock on dad's office door, and then push it open. My eyes immediately land on Glenn and he stands up.

"Callum Lynch." He sticks out his hand.

I walk in, closing the door behind me and taking his hand. I nod "It's nice to meet you."

"Finally." He smiles slightly.

Finally?

"We've had our eye on you for a while now."

What? They have?

Oh my gosh. This is it. The moment I've been dreaming of ever since I was a young boy.

"You're quite the hurler." He sits back down, and I sit next to him, shooting dad a quick glare.

"Thank you."

"But we both know I'm not here to complement your skills." He rubs his nose with his finger. "I'm here to ask you to bring your skills to the next level. Like I said, we've been watching you. We've seen your matches, and we love how you play on a pitch. But today, that sealed it."

Oh. My. God.

I think my heart just stopped. Scratch that, every organ in my body just stopped. Especially my brain.

This is what I've been dreaming of ever since I stepped foot onto a pitch. For my entire life, I have been thinking of this moment. I've worked my ass off to get here. Hours in the gym, days on the pitch, many meals that taste like actual shit.