Chapter Seven
Nate
I floated around my mansion on cloud nine, unable to find anything that could keep my attention for more than a few minutes. The television, sports videos on the internet, a trip to the gym - nothing typical for me sounded appealing on this afternoon proceeding my very atypical morning.
What exactly did I do this morning? I woke up next to Tammy, waiting for her to open her eyes with a big smile, and then we got up, showered and made breakfast - together. All of that, we did together.
I didn’t wake up after a night of passionate sex, get dressed and run out the door as quickly as possible. I didn’t evenwantto do that, this time. Instead, I stuck around emotionally satisfied, spending a pleasant morning with a beautiful, interesting woman I genuinely liked.
This wasn’t just rare for me. It was unheard of. I couldn’t remember the last time… oh, no, I could. The last time I did this was also with Tammy. Ever since our open-ended, messy breakup, I had satisfied myself with the ignominious smash and dash, refusing to get caught up in a real relationship. I always told myself that was because I spent so much time training and traveling with the team, but that excuse was wearing thin.
Plenty of professional NFL players had girlfriends, wives or even children. When I looked around saw how happy some of my teammates were with their families, even with all the traveling, the flaws in my logic became obvious. But I had never done anything to correct them. None of my pseudo relationships had grown into anything lasting.
Now, I wanted to stick with Tammy. I wanted to stick with her throughout the party, and I had to force myself to spend time with the other guests. I wanted to stick with her on the way home, making sure she got there safely. Then, I wanted to stick with her the night through, even staying for breakfast. I might have spent even more time with her today if we didn’t both have responsibilities to attend to.
Today, more than ever, I wished I didn’t have to spring this fake bride scheme on her. Things were going so well between us - even if we weren’t really anusat all yet - and I could ruin everything by suggesting this desperate idea.You have no choice, though, do you?
I had mentioned to Mack that our wedding would be soon - yet another addition to my list of desperate lies. He would be expecting an invitation, in handwritten script on fancy card stock befitting the announcement of the wedding of his new general manager. One way or another, I had to make sure he received that invitation.You can’t put things off…Time is running out.
I had to convince Tammy that my scandalous idea would benefit us both and have no negative consequences for her - although it could very well have some for me.
Scandal. Yep, that’s the word the media would use to embarrass Mack and the Lexington Colonels - again.But that won’t happen,I assured myself. My friends, their wives and Tammy would be the only ones who knew, and they would never reveal the truth, knowing what was at stake for me.
Actually, I would have to tell one more person too, and it would be best to meet him face to face to explain my bold plan. However, that was impossible since he was on vacation in Hawaii. I glanced at my watch. It was 3:00 PM my time, meaning it was 9:00 AM in Hawaii - and Clinton was an early riser, so he would definitely be up. I picked up my phone, found him in my contacts, pressed the green call button, and began pacing back and forth over my oriental rug in the living room. This was, without a doubt, going to be one of those ‘walk and talk’ conversations.
“Hey, Nate,” Clinton’s voice boomed in my ear. “How’s the knee?”
“All healed,” I told him as I picked up a dirty glass off the end table and headed for the kitchen sink. “Almost one-hundred percent again, or so my therapist says. I still can’t play pro anymore, though. How’s your trip?”
“Playing lots of golf and sightseeing. What have you been doing with yourself? I bet you’re getting bored, aren’t you?”
“I’m actually back on the team in a manner of speaking,” I explained. “I got the general manager’s job with the Colonels. Harris Clark got fired for getting caught in embarrassing circumstances - something about being arrested for not paying child support, among other things. And as you might expect, that didn’t sit well with the fans or management.”
“Yeah, I remember reading something about him on Twitter. I guess living in the fast lane caught up with him… So, wow… congrats! That’s really a lucky break for you.”
Remembering Zeke and Riker’s reactions to my fake engagement debacle, I braced myself for what was to come. “It is… look… to get the job I had to stretch the truth a bit. Well, more than a bit, quite honestly. But you know me, Clinton. I’m good at being convincing. I’m a good closer, as you know.” I said earnestly, referring to the times during the offseason when I used my claim to stardom and aptitude for real estate to convince billionaires to choose Clinton’s properties over his competitors.
“Sure, I know that. So, where are you going with this?”
“Okay, I’ll keep it short. I told Mack, the owner of the Lexington Colonels, that I’m getting married soon. It was kind of mandatory… in light of Harris getting fired. But, as you probably guessed, I don’t have the fiancee or plans to marry what so ever.”
“Well, Nate, I must say,” Clinton chuckled, “I would have never dreamed you would get yourself in such a pickle. If you didn’t sound so stressed, I would think you were kidding. So, go ahead, tell me more. How can I help, my friend?”
“I’m working on getting the fiancee -’
“That’s good! All my sisters are married,” Clinton mused.
“I know this is nuts, but I was hoping you could help me with the place - more specifically, with the wedding venue. As you might imagine, I have to plan a fake wedding... and I need the perfect prop. A dazzling place to get married that will impress my new boss.”
“What the f…!”
Now, Clinton was really laughing, and my steps quicken back and forth over the rug - my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
“I mean… I would love to have been a fly on the wall during that conversation with your boss. And for the one with… Tell me, who do you have in mind for your... your fake fiancee, anyone I know? Clinton snorted.
“No, I doubt you do. Tammy and I dated in high school, and she moved to the Hamptons a year or so ago… Oh, and of course you will be invited too. At least it should be a good party since Tammy is a professional wedding planner, and she will have an unlimited budget.” Listening to myself verbalize this madcap plan for a second time made me realize how crazy this really was - and how everything still hinged on Tammy saying ‘yes’ to my proposal.
“So, I assume you are calling to book one of my properties, right?”
