I’m contracted for one more year with the Missarali Storks, and have been a part of this team for four already, so I know the drill. “You don’t need to remind me, Darrell. I can handle it.”
“No, but Idoneed to remind you to finish renovating that damn cabin of yours. If you want a live-in nanny, they’re going to need somewhere to stay, and that rundown shack won’t cut it the way it currently looks. They’ll take one look at it and run for the hills.”
“I don’twanta live-in nanny.”
“No, but you need one.” He smiles at Leo. “Is your Dad impossible to work with, kid?”
“Yes!” Leo exclaims.
“That’s right, yes, he is!” Darrell teases in a high-pitched voice, causing Leo to nod and giggle, but eventually, my coach sighs and his eyes drift back to me. “What about your meetings with Starbound? How have they been going? Apparently, you’ve been dodging Alexander’s calls, and when you do meet with him, you barely give him anything. Peter isn’t happy.”
My nostrils flare as I inhale.
I can’t help it. Being signed to what the media knows as the hottest talent agency in Montana is the last thingI care about, but it comes with being on the team. Peter, our manager, struck a deal worth millions with them six months ago, because, in his eyes, keeping his team relevant makes the world go round.
So now, I have to attend stupid meetings that don’t benefit me in any way, to discuss my image and what I could improve on to help the team and, more importantly, make Peter more money.
I don’t want sponsorships. I don’t need people cheering my name. I’m too fucking old for that shit. The reason I play football is because I love it, and I’m good at it. The money I earn is a bonus.
“They’re fine. Alexander is overbearing.”
My coach barks with laughter, turning around to fiddle with his expensive coffee machine. “A kiss-ass is what he is. But you need to keep the contact up. Keep Peter happy, and that’ll make me happy. Just remember that with every call of Alexander’s you ignore, I’m one step closer to being fired.”
A chuckle slips from my lips because there’s no way in hell Peter would ever fire Coach Darrell. He’s a legend, one of the best coaches out there. I think there would be an entire team walkout if he were to lose his job.
“Sure, I’ll do that.” I sip at the small espresso shot he slides over to me, fingers twitchy since this is already my third cup of coffee today, and it’s only midday.
“I understand you don’t want to be a part of this side of football, but it comes with the job. Make sure you act nice, West. Just for your final year. Play the field.”
I bite down on my lip, refusing to laugh at his football pun. “I’m always nice.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Darrell studies me. “You look tired.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Well… maybe you need to find Leo a mom, you know? Give you some more free time and loosen you up a bit. You could try your hand at dating?”
I stare at him blankly, clicking my teeth together, because this isn’t a new topic of conversation for him. He’s always teasing me about finding someone.
Leo has a mother. Well, a biological one, but that’s the extent of it. She’s never been in his life. Didn’t care enough to stick around. While I’m not mad about it, I’m disappointed that Leo has to grow up without a mother figure to look up to.
However, I don’t need a woman to be a good father, and Leo doesn’t need one to grow up to be a polite and mannerly kid. A relationship will only serve as a distraction for me, and I refuse to allow just anyone to build a relationship with my son, only to leave and let him down.
Again.
“Maybe you should find a new hobby besides sticking your nose in other people’s business,” I tell Darrell with a humoured curl to my lip as I pack up Leo’s toys and takehis hand, leading him towards the door. “Come on, bud. You want to grab some ice cream on the way home?”
My son’s eyes become as wide as saucers. “Chocolate chip?”
“If you let me have some.” I give his hand a squeeze, causing him to giggle since he knows there’s no way I’m eating that sugary goo.
“Should NFL champions really be eating ice cream? Your body is a temple.” Darrell chuckles as he opens the door for us, patting me on the back as I step through. “Oh, and be sure to get some sleep tonight, West. It’ll help with the attitude problem.”
“I don’t have an attitude problem.”
“Whatever you say, big boy.”
“Honestly, Evan, there’s no need to worry. We’re going to have so much fun,” the woman dressed in clothing a little too revealing to be babysitting exclaims as she stands in the middle of my living room.
