I tilt my head. "What do you mean?"
"Has he lost his mind?"
I shrug. "It would appear so. And since I'm oh for two on being set up with guys from ClikClak, I think I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. I'm done. I might even take my profile down."
"Ah, but you can't let two dimwits ruin it for you. People like your content. You're funny and real, and I think that's what appeals to people on ClikClak. You know, as opposed to Instagram where you know everything is posed and filtered and fake."
I think about this. "True. Then how come you're only on Instagram? Are you fake?"
Xavier smiles, showing bright white teeth that are perfectly straight. "No, Instagram is just easier. I don't have anything really going on in my life to make videos of it."
"Wait—" I hold my hand up. "You're, like, a professional athlete. That makes you an automatic celebrity."
"A celebrity's the last thing I want to be. I'm here to play a game and that's all."
"Surely that can't beall. You don't play soccer twenty-four seven. What do you do for fun?"
He looks pensive for a moment. "Well, training does take quite a bit of my time, and I value my sleep."
"Understandable. I value my sleep too."
"In my off-season, which is now, I usually visit my family back home. I was thinking about it, but I get nervous that with quarantines and travel restrictions and the like, I might get stuck over in England and not be able to get back. Plus, I've got some business dealings in the works, so I need to be here to attend to those."
Sundance takes this chance to walk across my body, essentially showing his back end to Xavier. Lovely. "Don't mind that big oaf. It's Sundance. Sunny for short. He thinks he runs this place." I lean forward and whisper into my phone. "Don't tell him this, but he kind of does. Of course, I'll deny ever saying that."
"Ah, yes, I know how it can be. My brother Philip and I adopted a pet when I was about five, and now he, along with my parents, run a rescue organization. So Solomon really did take over our house."
"That's so cool!"
"Yes, but with COVID, they've had to shut down their tours and field trips. It's really cut into their income and all."
"Oh." I don't know what else to say. "That's too bad. I'm sorry."
"Ah well, it's the way things are, I guess. But I'm glad I can help them out. I mean, I can as long as I keep playing."
"Are you in danger of not playing anymore?"
Xavier sighs and he doesn't have to even say it. Something's up. Something's wrong. "What is it?" I ask. "What's going on with your career? Are you hurt?"
He shakes his head and looks off into the distance. I wish I knew what he was looking at. "It's nothing."
"It's not nothing. Look, you've been a nice guy, reaching out to me when you didn't have to. I know you don't know me from Adam, but other than my best friend Marley, you're probably the person I talk to the most. Which is totally sad, I know, but that's me. So tell me what ails you."
His gaze swivels back to the camera. "Alright, but I'm warning you now, it's messed up."
"It can't be any more messed up than Trent the Tosser or PenisGate, so lay it on me. I got you, boo."
Chapter 16: Xavier
I probably shouldn't say anything to her, but getting a female take on the situation wouldn't be a bad idea. Plus, she just called me boo, which is a little adorable.
I'm used to women trying to be over-the-top sexy to get my attention. Who knew cute as a button was intriguing?
"Right, so it's long and convoluted."
Ophelia smiles. "I've got time. In case you forgot, I was supposed to be on a date. I've got no other plans, other than drowning my sorrows in this glass of wine and reading a book." She holds up her glass of wine and then takes a sip.
"Well, to start with, I have to get married."
