Mercury Wild was always the best place to hang out after a good NFL season. Ever since Trevor got this place up and working – big thanks to his wife, Jasmine – the boys and I have always preferred this over any other bar and club in town. Good food, good ambiance, sexy girls and the type of customers here was amicable. Most of the patrons here were celebrities and the upper-class folk.

Tonight, however, I just wanted to relax and Trevor Wild definitely made that desire come true. As soon as I arrived, he had this big banner hung up with the words “Fourth Super Bowl MVP” sprawled on it. There were tons of hot girls, free drinks and good music to party to.

Of course, I spent the first hour going around chit-chatting and signing autographs with everyone around. It wasn’t until Preston and his wife, Lyla, arrived that I got to settle in and relax.

“Hey dude,” I greeted as I shook Preston’s hand. I smiled at his wife and took a moment to marvel at just how gorgeous she was. When we first met I thought she was a model or something. It was a bit of a shock to find out she was a full-fledged registered nurse.

We sat down and Trevor came by real quick to bring us our drinks. He didn’t get to sit with us though as he had a lot of customers to attend to.

“So, are you going to Jackson’s engagement party?” Preston asked as soon as we got a little more comfortable and a tad bit tipsy.

My eyebrows perked up and I addressed the question, “Maybe. He sent me a text message asking me to be his Best Man but he needs to plan the wedding first. I’m really considering it too, since I only have a few months off before training for the next NFL season begins.”

Lyla smiled and patted my hand, “Do it, come on! You know you’ll have fun. Besides, Emilia might be there too.”

I chuckled at that remark. These people really wouldn’t let go of the fact that I had sex with Emilia five years ago. I mean, come on! I’ve had so many women since then.

“I bet she’s already forgotten all about me,” I told them. “It’s been so long.”

Lyla wagged her finger, “A girl never forgets a high school or college crush. You can trust me on that one. You were her dream come true. How could she ever forget someone like that?”

Preston laughed and hugged his wife, “You should listen to her. She’s an expert on women – she is one, after all!”

“You two bastards,” I joked as I chugged down on my beer. “Okay, okay, I’ll go. When is the engagement party? I have to double-check the schedule Jackson sent me.”

Preston flipped out his phone and checked his calendar, “It’s… next Friday. You’re sure you’re coming, right, because I’m going. Daxter and Marcus are coming too. Trevor will be there too – I think they’re the ones sponsoring the party, as a matter of fact.”

“Well, since everyone’s coming I guess it’ll be less awkward. Sure, I’m definitely coming. I’m not so sure yet about being his Best Man, though. I need to think about that. I don’t know how free I’ll be for all the practice and stuff.”

“Okay,” Preston told me with a smile of approval. “Hey, Marcus is swinging by tonight. You care for a game of poker or something?”

I had nothing else to do anyway so I gave a shrug and nod, “Sure. Give me a minute, though, I’ll go ahead and call Jackson and let him know I’m coming to the engagement party.”

They nodded and turned to talk to each other as I got up and headed to the back of the bar, where it was quieter and fewer people bustling about. As soon as I was in a nice, comfortable spot near the parking lot, I took my phone and dialed for Jackson’s number.

“Hey,” I greeted as soon as he picked up.

“Hello? Who’s this?” I heard a female answer. It must have been his girlfriend, Amy.

I cleared my throat and clarified, “Oh, hi Amy. It’s Damon. Sorry, it sounds like you guys are sleeping. I didn’t mean to wake you two up. Could you please let Jackson know I’m going to attend your engagement party?”

She quickly got ecstatic, “Really? Oh, thank you, Damon! It means the world to him. Are you signing on as his Best Man too?”

“Not yet,” I replied with a chuckle. “I need to check with my team manager and my agents to check my schedule first. If I’m free – if being the key-word here – then sure, I’ll be the Best Man for your wedding.”

“Yey!” she screamed back. “Okay, I’ll go tell him. He’s down in the basement fixing up our heater. Keep us updated, okay?”

“Sure thing,” I told her and ended the call.

An engagement party, huh? This will be interesting. I haven’t seen Jackson and Amy in a few months now, ever since the last NFL season began.

For tonight, however, I just wanted to hang back in Mercury Wild, get drunk and have fun with my friends.