The opposite end of the phone was silent for a heartbeat. “Touché.”
“Now about that build time.”
“Like I said, it depends on size, but it typically can take twelve to eighteen months.”
I frowned, not liking that answer. “What if I put a rush on it?”
Another pause.
“Well, I suppose we could hire extra men to expedite the build. We could probably get the build time to a little as ten to twelve months.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.
“Anything shorter than that and I wouldn’t dare put my stamp of approval on it, nor would I have my brother living in a house I didn’t absolutely know was safe.”
“I hear ya,” I told Josh.
“Do you know what you want in terms of square footage and design?”
I pondered his question for a moment. “Not quite yet. I’ll have to think on it some more.”
“I can have my assistant resend you some different designs and details.”
“I’d like that. Thanks, Josh. I gotta go.”
“Don’t call me this fucking early again unless your ass is in trou—”
I didn’t let him get the last word out before I hung up. He always ended our early morning exchanges the same way.
“Let’s go!” I stepped into the hotel room, calling Kelvin who was still sleeping in the bed.
“The hell?” he grunted, sitting up slowly from the bed, rubbing his eyes.
“We’ve got practice.”
“Man, I can’t wait ’til camp is over and I go back to livingalone,” he groaned.
“You say the same shit every year. Where would your ass be if I wasn’t waking you up for practice these past four years?”
“Well rested!”
Chuckling, I tossed a towel at Kelvin. “And out of a damn job. Let’s go.” It was one of the last few days of training camp. We had our first pre-season scrimmage the following weekend. Which meant, this was the final day that Destiny McDonald would be teaching her seminar. After the previous Friday night’s outing, she’d pretty much been the only thing on my mind. I’d meant every word I said to her Friday night, which had led to this morning’s early phone call. I’d sat on the property I bought for the last two years, opting to utilize the condo in downtown Williamsport as my main residence when I was in town. I was often on the road during our season, and during the off-season I was constantly on the go doing commercials, photoshoots, or other events for sponsors. But now, I had a reason to slow down. To finally settle on the type of home I wanted to live in permanently.
Destiny McDonald was in a world of trouble and she didn’t even know it.
****
Destiny
“Well, gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure sharing with you what I know over the last few weeks. You’ve made this a rather enjoyable experience.” I peered around the lecture hall at the entire Cougars football team, my eyes landing on Leonard Riggs. “Most of you, anyway.”
A few snickers sounded around the room. At the same time Leonard’s eyes squinted in my direction. I mentally brushed his look off. My eyes swung to the far end of the front row but I wouldn’t let them venture to the final seat in the row. I knewhe’dbe staring at me intently as he’d done ever since my first class in that same room. After Friday night, thoughts of Tyler threatened to consume me at every turn. I just needed to get through that final lecture and hightail my ass out of there, to never have to see him again, save for Sunday afternoons or Monday nights when I turned on the football game.
“You all have one last opportunity to ask me any question you want. Wait,” I paused, seeing a few hands go up a little too eagerly, “notanything. It must pertain to financial planning.” Two hands dropped instantly. I dipped my head and had to keep my head from turning in the direction of Tyler.
“I got a question.”
“Yes, Mr. Johnson,” I answered the team’s leading tackle.
