“I do other things besides football training,” I said—like not living in LA.
I came out here because of my sponsorship deals. I had to shake hands, make guest appearances, do a few commercials, and have a photo session. Of course, then there were the obligatory parties and club appearances. But I was a football player, not a celebrity. Still, according to Riley, it worked the same way for players in the league. “You have to have something to fall back on when you retire. You should capitalize on your celebrity with your looks, charm, and social media following.”
Right now, all I wanted to do was get out of LA.
Riley craved all of it. I craved the football field and missed my home.
My pocket vibrated with an incoming call. Grace.
“Hey, Gracie, what’s going on?”
Knock-knock.
As I headed over to answer the door, her light, melodic tone greeted me, “Hey, Wyatt said you’re in LA?”
“Yeah, heading home shortly…”
The bellhop sat at the door with a luggage cart. I motioned to him to come in and pointed out the ridiculous amount of luggage we had for the short trip. “Getting ready to head to the airport.”
“How about a stop in Baltimore?”
The bellhop went to work. I pulled up short as her words registered.
“Is she okay?” I asked, my hand rubbing at my forehead.
“She’s coming home this weekend, and I?—”
I closed my eyes. “So, he is really leaving her?”
“Um, yes.”
I looked at the sky in front of me. “Is she okay?” I asked again.
“She says she is. She’s taking it all in stride. You know, Kelcie.”
Yeah. I know Kelcie—or at least I did.
“Anyway, I thought maybe some friendly faces could be distracting?—”
Riley came strutting out in her stilettos, the latest designer purchase, and two hours of prep work to get on a cross-continental plane ride. “Shaw, baby, I’m ready.”
“Is that Bailey?” Grace said.
“Riley…yes.” I grimaced.
“Oh…well, bring her,” Grace said. Her sincerity was forced but appreciated. My girlfriend and friends had nothing to discuss past greeting each other.
I glanced at my beautiful girlfriend, who was every teenage boy’s dream—outrageous body, flawless skin, cascading hair. She was easily one of the most beautiful women I’d met. She wasn’t bitchy or cruel. She wasn’t dumb or a big partier. She was unapologetically ambitious and driven.
But she wasn’t exactly subtle, and since she considered Charlotte a small town, she definitely wouldn’t want to spend any longer than it would take to fill a gas tank in my hometown.
I told Grace, “I’ll let you know when I land.”
“Ok, Shaw. Sounds good.”
I hung up and turned to Riley. “Riles, how would you like to stay in LA for a bit longer?”
4
