“I know, but honestly, I don’t think the project ended up being what you wanted either.”
“You and Taylor talk too much. She said the same thing.” A short huff accompanies my words.
“Ha, you know it’s true though. You gave up some big things to get approval. I don’t think you would’ve been happy with it.”
“Maybe not but at least my name would be listed asdirectorinstead offemale leadin the credits,” I try to argue, while playing with the tie on my robe.
“Cut the shit. You don’t settle for scraps, Ives. It means nothing if it’s not the project you created. Fight for your voice and for the project that reflects your true intention. You want to make a difference. So make it.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s going to happen now,” I snap back.
“Not right this second, no. But, now you have the time.”
Dejected, I say, “Yeah, time. Too much time it seems.”
“Enough time for you to go back to the drawing board. Getback to basics, Ives. Figure out what is going to have the impact you want on the industry you love. Tay and I are here to support you however you need us. You know we have your back.”
“I know. You’re the best.” A small smile breaks through at her words. I may only have two friends in this world but they are the best people I know.
“Damn straight. I’ve got to run and field some more calls. But seriously, I’m glad you went to Belize and are out of L.A. for a couple days while this thing is spreading. Be safe. Love you!”
“Love you too. Go give ‘em hell.”
Gabrielle hangs up without another word, and I’m left with a million thoughts in my head. Both my best friends have gut checked me. Maybe things weren’t as great as I thought but what does that mean for my future?
Doing my best to shake it off, I grab my book and settle into the hammock on the deck.
CHAPTER FIVE
Preston
March 18
Missing my annual trip really messed me up this year. I just didn’t realize how much until I was here, finding ways to feed my adventure bone, as Miller calls it.
I live for the thrill. There’s so much of my life that is controlled and methodical. I work out and eat right. I stick to a schedule ten months of the year that’s centered around baseball and being the best there is so I keep my spot on the roster and help my team win. I don’t have a ring yet but I’ve been part of some deep playoff runs.
When I finally get those two months off, I try to find something outlandish and uncontrollable to do. I’ve swam with sharks, cliff-jumped, skydived, hiked some killer mountains, and skied some sick slopes. I enjoy pushing myself out of my comfort zone and finding the inner drive that pushes me to greatness in all things. It makes me feel alive. In the past few days in Belize, I have snorkeled, kayaked, fished, and have been trying to talk one of the local guides at the resort to take me to an underwater cave. I love experiencing nature in all its glory.
When I saw Ivory sitting at the pool bar yesterday in herbikini talking to Juan, I was glad for the sunglasses covering my eyes. She’s a stunning woman with clothes on, but in her bathing suit, she stole my breath for a moment. It’s different seeing her in person rather than on the television or movie screen. I never let her know the other night that I know who she is because I understood her need for solitude and to go unnoticed. Clearly she chose this resort because she wanted to get away. I wasn’t going to be the one to ruin her privacy.
It didn’t stop me from looking her up when I went back to my villa though. The headlines speculating that she is in rehab because no one has seen her were maddening. I get my fair share of attention in public so I can relate to an extent. The difference is that I’m a man and she’s a woman. She was dubbed Hollywood’s Sweetheart at a young age. People have been watching her in a different way since her teenage years. They look at me and want to know my stats or want to talk ball. Sometimes, women want attention but it’s nothing like what I’m sure she deals with on a daily basis. Paparazzi don't follow me around all the time, that's for sure. If it’s solitude she’s after, I will give it to her by not making a spectacle of her being here and leave her alone.
Not only that, Coach would kill me if he found out I was hitting on his daughter while on vacation. So, although a vacation fling is sometimes fun, it won’t be happening here.
My trip is coming to an end anyway. I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about staying a few more days when I was laying in the hammock staring at the stars last night. My agent has told me things are getting worse with the pandemic. There has been no word about the season starting. I’m anxious to get back home to work out and get back on the field. I also worry about my parents and being this far away from them, especially with my dad’s recovery still very new.
Speaking of, my phone rings from where it sits beside me on the deck.
“Hey, Ma,” I answer with a smile on my face.
“How’s my favorite boy?” Mom asks, never missing an opportunity to call me her boy. I will never grow tired of hearing it. It reminds me of home and I love it.
“I’m good. This place is really cool.”
“I bet. I could do with a beach vacation.”
“I’ll send you wherever you want to go, Ma. You just tell me where and when.” My parents worked so hard to give me everything I could ever need or want. If it’s within my power, I’ll do whatever I can to spoil them.
