Nico
boringggg
Cooper placed his phone face down on the nightstand and curled up next to Stassi, facing her. He knew he’d wakeup the next morning to a barrage of texts from Coach White and Tommy. He’d been around enough to know that players were replaceable and the Cobras weren’t going to wait around on their asses when they still had a shot at making the playoffs.
In the morning, he’d have to make a decision.
Was he ready to return?
Not to coach, but to play.
Chapter Ten
february 2021 - boston
pro game awards
On the wayto his seat, Cooper’s mother intercepted him. She was dressed in a gold dress with matching jewelry and pumps. She latched onto his arm and pulled him close enough to stuff a folded piece of paper into his hand.
“I rewrote your speech,” she said.
Cooper searched the very crowded wings entering the theater. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I just told you.”
He broke free from his mother’s grasp and shook his head. “You know what you’re doing.” He leaned in closer. “You’re doing this here because you know I won’t make a scene. You know I can’t make a scene.”
“I’m doing this here because you’ve been ignoring my calls. I had to get a copy from your publicist.” She pattedhim on the chest and locked their arms together. “Why don’t you escort me to my seat?”
“I’d rather not,” he said between gritted teeth as he led her to the curved staircase anyway. She grabbed hold of the railing with one hand and the two of them began to ascend to the next level where the mezzanine entrance stood. “What was wrong with my speech?”
“It’s a celebration. Not a memorial.”
“We don’t even know if I won.”
“Don’t be modest,” she said with disgust as they reached the landing. “I’ve lived in this world since before you were born. I can read a room better than anyone.” She unlinked her arm from his as they stood beside the railing, overlooking the lower level. “You played brilliantly and you have the kind of story these people clamor for. The broken quarterback returns to take his place as the king.”
“I’m not a king,” Cooper scoffed.
A king would have won the wildcard round. A king would have taken his team to the Super Bowl, which was to be played in five days.
His mother smiled what looked to be a genuine smile, but nothing was ever authentic with her. Everything was an illusion, a ruse hidden behind a facade. “Tell that to everyone back home. Our city idolizes you. They always have and they always will.” She looked away, sullen. “I don’t personally have that luxury.”
“You chose that life when you chose to become a politician. Half of the population is going to hate you at any given time.”
“You’re missing the point.” She whipped her attention back to him. “I don’t need to be loved or adored. I demandrespect, which is something else entirely.” She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the cheek. “The world is yours. I expect you to go grab it now that you’re not burdened by… other things.”
She left Cooper standing by himself as she disappeared into the upper level of the theater. What the hell had she meant byother things?
Cooper took his seat in the front row beside his girlfriend. Stassi leaned towards him and whispered in his ear, “Where the hell have you been?”
“Mother dearest found me,” he whispered back. “Remind me to have a talk with our dearly beloved publicist, because she emailed my mother a copy of my speech.”
“She changed it,” Stassi said, and it wasn’t a question. She’d been around Mother Elsa Callahan long enough to know exactly how she operated. “You know you don’t have to read her version.”
Cooper shot her a glare that screamed what he was feeling inside. Hereallydidn’t have a choice.
The lights in the auditorium dimmed and the ceremony began.
