He waved at the head coach for Denver, a man he respected as he had been Cooper’s coach back in college. Hesmiled at Priscilla Rapport who was busy interviewing Jason Gardner, the up-and-coming quarterback for Denver. He even smiled at the cameramen who were still rolling even though they were in the midst of a commercial break.
The last person he smiled at never saw the swing coming.
Cooper landed a quick, but overtly planned, punch right on Tony Rodgers mouth.
Ejected from the game, Cooper packed his shit in the locker room and got a ride back to the hotel the team was staying at.
While he showered, he replayed the moment in his head over and over again, and every time he viewed the footage in his mind, his emotions swung from one end to the other. From intense gratification to shame. From confusion about how he let his emotions get the better of him, and then back to gratification.
He bowed his head against the tile and let the water rain down on the back of his head, a waterfall cascading around his face and landing like thunderous pellets on the bottom of the shower.
After showering, he put on a pair of sweats, sat down on the edge of the bed, and turned on the game. Denver led the Cobras by fourteen and the two-minute warning was fast approaching. His emotions swung back to shame, knowing he’d let his team down.
He reached for his phone and was inundated with endlessnotifications.
MOM
Call me immediately.
MOM
It’s important.
TOMMY
As a fan of entertainment, I loved it!
STASSI
Are you okay?
TOMMY
As a lifelong hater of Denver, man, that was awesome.
MOM
What has gotten into you?
TOMMY
As your fucking manager, have you lost your goddamn fucking mind?
TOMMY
Your guaranteed money is no longer guaranteed and forget about your bonuses. Which hey, you do you. But you’re fucking with my money.
MATTEO
Dude WTF…
NICO
I know we’re still mad at each other, but thatwas kinda hot.
NICO
Let it be known that the only man I’d ever let spit in my mouth is you. That man violated me and I appreciate you defending my honor.
