“Hi, Cap.”
“I see you and the pretty therapist got a little coverage on the socials.”
“Dude, I didn’t know that McCall was having that press conference, or I wouldn’t have been out in public unprepared. I can’t believe none of the league’s public relations people gave me a heads up. He basically said if there were better protections in place, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Protections against me?”
“Yeah, he was wrong for that.”
“So you think the league knew he was going to make a statement?”
“Hell yeah, they knew. The NFL big wigs have been blowing smoke up his ass since he went into that hospital. They are moving heaven and earth to make sure their golden boy gets the best care and speaks glowingly about the league.”
“But he didn’t speak glowingly about them.”
“Not exactly, but I think what he said craftily puts them in a position to say how they’re cleaning up the game and give all the credit to McCall.”
I’m not totally sure how to feel about that.
“Is it me or am being treated like a second-class citizen?”
“There’s something else.” I can hear in Cap’s voice that he doesn’t really want to tell me whatever it is.
“What now?”
“The therapist.”
My heart thumps from a jolt of fear.
“I just texted her. Is something wrong?”
“I think she’s setting you up.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Cap? She’s never asked me for a dime of my money or for any favors whatsoever.”
“Not that kind of setup.”
“Then I don’t know what you mean, and it’s starting to really piss me off. Say what you called to say.”
“I obtained this information second hand, but supposedly she sent an evaluation letter to the league saying you were unfit to play.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Why? Because you’re fucking her?”
“Because we haven’t even finished all six of my mandated sessions,” I say angrily.
“I can forward the letter to you.”
“You actually have it?”
My chest tightens.
I was hoping this was a huge misunderstanding.
I still do.
“An old friend in the communications department saw it and sent it to me. I can’t say for certain what’s going on, Dak, but when NFL leadership gets involved, the play is no longer just on the field. They care about the game. They care about the money. And they care about their damn image.”
Yes, but I thought Katrina cared about me.
