“No, but you’d think they’d come to me and reassure me, like, we’re still keeping Taysom, don’t worry. But it’s been crickets from management, so I think we should prepare ourselves for free agency.”
“I’m not leaving San Antonio, Matt. I have my mom to think about.” I pause. “And Charlotte’s here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I just think we should be prepared, you know? I’ve been talking with the Commanders.”
“No.” I laugh. “I’m not going to D.C.”
“Why not? The East Coast is great.”
“If I’m forced out, then so be it. I won’t have any choice, in that case, and we can talk about a deal with the Washington Commanders then. But I’m not going to leave just because we’ve got a new backup who is good.” Even as I say it, part of me knows how foolish this is. I’ve known it would come to this. Deep down, I’ve known it.
Matt sighs heavily. “I’d rather act than be forced to react, though.”
“If the Wolves organization hears I’m looking around, they’ll certainly not extend my contract. They value loyalty.”
“And you’ve been loyal for years. You’ve given them everything they’ve wanted. It’s been a great fit. But answer me this: Why would they pad Riddock’s pockets before extending your contract?”
There’s dead space between us. I don’t have an answer to that question. And it kills me.
“Get them on the phone and ask them,” I say. “We’re just throwing out guesses without anything concrete. Call them up and have a conversation. Let’s see where I stand.”
“Are you ready for me to do that?”
“Absolutely.” But I swallow hard, because suddenly I’m not.
I don’t want to know for sure.
I’m needed here in San Antonio. This is where I’m meant to be. To play football, take care of my family, and to be with Charlotte. And hopefully start a family with her.
It’s strange to be thinking in those terms but I’ve known Charlotte since we were kids, so it doesn’t feel rushed. And none of this can happen if she’s here and I’m in Washington D.C.
I allow myself to wonder, briefly, what it would look like if Charlotte joined me in D.C. She doesn’t have a job yet, so it could work, right?
No. That’s not going to work because I’m not transferring to the Commanders.
Chapter 32
Charlotte
Istareatthenumber on my screen, counting from where the decimal point is again just to be sure.
“One hundred two thousand, seven hundred fifty dollars,” I say aloud. Shock pulses through me once again and I reach my phone to text Taysom. It’s only appropriate that he be the first one I tell, right? He was the one who made it all possible.He shared it with those in his circles. He gave me the courage necessary to get real in the video from last night.
Not that I really remember what I said. It was all so…vulnerable and unscripted. I do know I didn’t cry, which was a huge win. Not that there’s anything wrong with crying on screen for some things, but I wanted to remain as professional as possible, even as I bared my soul.
I text Willa:
“OMG is this real life? LOOK,” with a link to the fundraiser. I decide against texting Taysom because it’s barely 7:00 AM and he likes to sleep in during the off-season.
I’ve learned a lot about Taysom these past few weeks, like that there’s much more than meets the eye. He’s not just a famous athlete, he’s also silly when Miley licks his arm and he is the absolute best cheerleader a girl could ask for. He’s kind and interesting, and I feel like I can be myself with him. He even loves my hair.
Like, really, trulylovesmy hair.
A shiver goes through me. I don’t know what to call us, and we still haven’t discussed the future. But when he finally left last night, we parted with a kiss and it was as if time stopped altogether. Sure, I was in a daze because it was 1:00 AM and I’m not used to staying up late. But he’d spent his whole evening helping me, entertaining Miley, creating the fundraiser, and giving me ideas on what to say in the video.
It was incredible. And now, just ten short hours since the fundraiser went live, we have over a hundred thousand dollars for the Early Childhood Center.
I jump out of bed, get ready as fast as I can, and head over to work. It’s my last day. I only have two clients scheduled, which is just as well since a bunch of our stuff has already been packed up. I have what I need for these kids today and then…that’s it, right?
