“She won’t. These women are smart.”
“Ha! Fuck you.”
“Is that a yes?”
“I assume sex is off the table.”
“Yeah, there’s a clause in the agreement about no sexual relations. I guess it interferes when trying to make a serious match.”
“Then what’s in it for me since I clearly won’t be getting any ass?”
“They will interview me after the next game since I’m starting.”
“Thanks for reminding me, so?”
“I’ll be sure to mention you at least twice in the interview after we win,” he says confidently. “We miss Jett’s leadership, blah, blah, blah. Something like that.”
“So you’ll lie.”
“Call it whatever you want. I prefer to describe it as continuing to keep your name in the hearts and minds of the people of New York City. ”
“Why does everyone like you so much?” I (sort of) kid. “You’re so full of it.”
“Yeah, my wife tells me that all the time. So will you do it?”
I hesitate to answer.
“This is a big ask.”
“For Carla?”
Rivera’s wife is the head of the Nighthawk Wives Alliance. They hold a lot of fundraisers for local charities and when a new player joins the team; they send them a welcome basket. It’s not just any basket either. The Alliance does their homework and researches favorite things of the player. My basket was full of Southwest Texas favorites, including homemade treats for Astro and a handwritten note.
I agree reluctantly.
“For Carla then.”
He pats me gently on the back.
“Thank you, man. I know this was a big ask with everything that you’ve got going on.”
“No problem.”
I know I’m going to regret this.
“Let Carla know a restaurant you’d feel comfortable having dinner at. Depending on the place, she can make arrangements for total privacy. I’ll tell her to be expecting your text. The date is Thursday.”
“Agreed. Can I go now? I’ve got a dozen more specialist appointments for this cracked shoulder of mine today and you’ve just put me behind twenty minutes.”
“You trying to get better and take my job again, Jett-Ski?”
This guy.
“No, man, I’m just trying to get mine back.”
Eighteen
ADRIENNE
