I remove the heating pad again and continue kneading his shoulders to loosen up any tightness I feel. He has massive trapezoids like many ballers, but they especially taut today.
“If someone compares me going to a ball game with him and living with you, which one is the more juicer piece of gossip? Which one is going to make players question if I got this job on by laying on my back? You’re the one who taught me that.”
“I think people know you’re not that type of woman now, Mia. You’re respected. The players like you.”
“I haven’t been on staff long enough for you to know that for sure. Plus, I’m twenty-five years old and haven’t been on a proper date in months. And especially with this new job, I will meet no one at a bar or a club. I spend all of my time with the team, so it’s pretty clear that eventually I’m going to end up in a romantic relationship with either an NFL player or someone on the staff. It’s where I spend most of my time.”
“You’re right. You probably will end up with someone on the Nighthawks.”
“Exactly, so I might as well start with him. He’s been one of the nicer players to me since I started working here.”
Rush’s neck tenses again.
“Is there something else you want to say?” I ask him.
“Just be careful, Bird.”
“Don’t worry,paw-paw. I always am.”
Twenty-Four
MIA
The eventthat Tiger takes me to is a charity baseball game. When we arrive, he is greeted by every celebrity in the place with adulation and warmth. I’m learning that while he may not be a marquee name in the averaged American household, he is much beloved by his peers and in the Hollywood scene. A fact he seems to revel in.
“You know a lot of people,” I comment.
“Shh, it’s a secret, but I would love to be cast in a movie one day.”
“You want to act?”
“One day, after football is over, I’ve got to do something with my life.”
“For sure. There’s nothing wrong with planning for your second act early.”
“What about you? Could you see yourself living somewhere else? Maybe working for another team one day clear across the country?”
“I just got this job.” I smile.
“Yeah, but now that you’re in, you could probably work for any NFL team you wanted.”
“I never thought about it, but you’re right. I could probably make a move one day. Hey, it’s so cool that you’re part of this charity event. Why aren’t you playing?”
“I can’t risk hurting myself playing a softball game. My body is my money maker.”
I’m not sure that he would be risking much during a non-competitive softball game with actors, but okay.
“Oh, sure.”
“Plus, I mean, this is not really my scene, anyway.”
“Then why are we here?”
“It’s a great photo opportunity. My publicist hooked it up.”
“Your publicist?”
“Yeah, and right now it’s all about serving good looks on the ‘gram. A photo here should definitely get me some major likes today.”
