Tying Up Loose Ends
With the contract signed, the Comets announce that I’m their new starting quarterback. A day later, I fly to Las Vegas to tie up loose ends before training camp starts.
I decide not to sell my current home out there, as my contract is only for one year. What I do instead is speak with a realtor about renting the place out.
I also meet up with Dylan and Chloe at a local restaurant so I can turn the gym over to them to run while I’m away. They’re cool with that, but the fact I’m leaving is hitting Chloe hard.
At dinner, she barely eats a thing.
When I ask her what’s wrong, she tells me she’s sad because I’ll miss the baby’s birth this fall.
It is hard, seeing as she and I have grown closer than ever over the past year. My sister went through a really tough time not too long ago when her ex-husband was stalking her.
In regard to the baby, I assure her, “Hey, don’t be upset. I’ll come back a lot once the season ends. And I’ll definitely fly in as soon as I can to meet my new niece once she’s born.”
Placated, she, Dylan, and I turn the conversation to talk of the upcoming football and hockey seasons.
I’m not the only one with something to prove this year. Dylan hopes to post a career season. But more than that, he wants the Wolves to make another run at the Stanley Cup.
I tell him that I’m pulling for him and the team.
“Thanks, man,” he says.
After dinner, as we’re walking to our cars, Dylan pats me on the back and says, “Hey, good luck, Graham. You got this. Just remember this is what you’ve wanted for a long time.”
“It is,” I agree. “It sure the hell is.”
Chloe, choking back a sob, throws her arms around me. “I’m going to miss you so much, Graham.”
“I know, Chlo. I’ll miss you like crazy too.”
We can’t really hug properly since her growing belly keeps getting in the way. We share a good laugh about that.
Chloe then tells me, “I love you, Graham. And Dylan’s right, you’ve been there for everyone else for so long. It’s time for you to concentrate on you.”
She gives me a knowing look.
I know what’s up. My sister would like to see me with a girlfriend, someone who cares about me. I don’t have the heart to tell her there’s one in the works, thanks to the team. Somehow, I don’t think a fake girlfriend is what she has in mind.
But it is what it is. And I’ve decided to make the most of it. I’m excited that I finally get to meet this “girlfriend” once I’m back in Columbus.
Hope it’s not too crazy awkward.
Before I leave Las Vegas, I have one more thing to do—I need to meet with Benny to give him the names of some new potential sponsors.
I do that later the same evening when we meet up for a late coffee.
Benny Perry is big like me. He has dark blond hair too, but whereas mine is not that long, his flows down past his shoulders. The dude looks like freaking Thor, no joke. Everyone tells him that.
One thing for sure, we receive a hell of a lot of stares when we walk into the coffee shop together after meeting up outside.
A kid comes up to us and asks Benny for an autograph.
As my friend signs the napkin he’s handed, the kid turns to me.
“Do you play hockey too?” he asks.
“No.” I laugh. “I’m actually a football player.”
His big brown eyes widen. “No way. That’s cool. Who do you play for?”
I tell him I just signed with the Columbus Comets, fully expecting him to be all like who the heck are they?
But to my surprise, he’s aware of the team and the new league.
“Wow,” he marvels. “Can you sign something for me too?”
That makes me feel so fucking good. Maybe this league really is up and coming. Maybe Jock wasn’t just telling me what I wanted to hear.
“Sure,” I say to the kid, and he hands me a fresh napkin.
Once the boy has both our signatures, he skips off, calling back a really cute, heartfelt, “Thanks, guys.”
Benny, noticing I’m grinning like a fool, nudges me. “Hey, you better get used to this, dude. It’s just the beginning.”
“I guess you’re right,” I reply, smiling and feeling pretty fucking genuinely happy.
After we order our coffees and sit down in two oversized chairs near the front of the shop, I keep thinking how I wish I could tell Benny about the fake girlfriend clause.
That’s not allowed, though.
Aw, fuck it.
This is my friend, and he won’t say anything to anyone.
So I begin with, “Hey, can I share something with you?”
“Yeah, sure, dude. Of course.”
Releasing a breath, I say, “This new opportunity isn’t all sunshine and roses.”
Benny looks confused. “How do you mean?”
“The Comets have given me a contract, yes. But there’s something I had to agree to before it was all finalized.”
“Uh, what did you have to agree to?”
Shaking my head, I preface, “You’re never going to believe this.”
“Try me, man.”
I go on to tell him about the fake girlfriend clause and how I’m supposed to live with the chick.
“Dude, that’s fucking nuts,” he exclaims once I’m done. “I could never see the Wolves asking a player they signed to do something like that.”
“Yeah, well, football’s clearly different.”
He leans back in his chair and runs his hand over the top of his head, mussing up his long hair. “Man, you’re not kidding.”
“Christ.” I set my cup down on a nearby table and sigh. “I just hope she’s not crazy or anything.”
“You mean you haven’t even met her yet?”
“Nope, that’s supposed to happen as soon as I get back tomorrow.”
Benny scoffs, “Shit, you’d think you’d at least have had approval or something.”
“You’d think so, right? But no, it’s all on the strict down low. I guess that’s why I’m still in the dark.”
Benny then brings up a point I hadn’t even considered.
“I get why you had to agree to this, Graham—to play football and get a contract and all that. But what’s in it for her?”
I shrug. “Lots of money, I’m guessing.”
“Eh, I don’t know. I mean, I’m sure you’re right. They’re probably paying her a shit ton of cash. But still, who’d agree to something like that?”
“Someone desperate?” I venture.
“Ha, I’d say so.”
“Hell, man,” I curse. “Now I’m more curious than ever to know what this girl’s story is.”
And I am.
From here on out, I’m focusing on one thing and one thing only—to learn my fake girlfriend’s real truth.