Matt Stallworth

I walked up the concourse heading to baggage claim at the airport in Green Bay. My buddy Aiden was supposed to be waiting for me there. Heads turned toward me in every direction, but I’d grown used to it a long time ago and my mind was not really on Green Bay, Wisconsin, at that moment.

I couldn’t believe I’d spilled my guts to her like that. That wasn’t part of the plan. I’d known her, kind of, for a few months, but really we’d only been on two dates. I needed time to think, and a week hanging out with Aiden would make that difficult.

There was still the fact I hadn’t told her about my contract, either. One problem was big enough, but telling her that would’ve sent her running for the hills. It was selfish of me, but I couldn’t risk losing her. What a fucking mess I was.

I scanned the baggage claim area for Aiden and he couldn’t be found. It would’ve frustrated me if I hadn’t expected it. The dude was always late. He had played football at the college where Ethan and I had played baseball, and we’d all lived in the dorms together. Now he was a defensive end for the Packers. Ethan and I always flew out to see him play at least once a year, but E was stuck doing wedding shit.

The luggage carousel sprang to life and bags started making their rounds. A couple of boys came up for autographs and I signed whatever they handed me and talked to them and their parents for a few minutes. I’d heard some of my teammates bitch about being bothered in public, and I could understand if it was adults. But Mom would’ve whipped my ass if I’d ever even thought of complaining about a kid asking for an autograph.

I looked around and saw a few happy couples with new tans, probably just back from their honeymoons.

I wish I was taking a trip with Kelsey.

Man, that wouldn’t have been a bad idea—we could’ve gotten away somewhere just the two of us. I had to remind myself that she had a job and couldn’t just drop everything that was going on to appease me. I think that was another thing I liked about her—the fact that she wouldn’t drop everything for me.

This trip will be good. Let you clear your head and think about things.

I hated my brain for trying to be reasonable. What did I really want? I wanted to be around Kelsey every fucking day and with her every moment. I wanted to hold her hand, hear about her day, listen to funny stories about her past.

My red suitcase ambled along on its way over to me and I stepped up to the edge to grab it.

“Stallworth!”

He’s here.

I smiled without even looking back. Aiden was most definitely one of a kind. He was probably about the funniest guy I’d ever met.

“Are you grabbing your luggage, bro? I didn’t know MVPs had to do stuff like that! Let me get that for you, sir!”

Half the people in the airport had on Green Bay Packer shirts and all of them laughed and pointed with huge eyes. Aiden was a pro bowl defensive end, and the whole city embraced his goofiness and knew exactly who he was. The fact that he was a six-foot-eight, three-hundred-twenty-pound black guy running through the airport and hollering at the top of his lungs only helped verify his identity.

He shot over next to me and reached out for my bag. He picked it up like it was a feather and tossed it to the ground like he was loading a truck at a warehouse. I shook my head and smiled.

Aiden bent over at the waist and panted.

“Jesus, I thought you were an athlete? How the hell are you this out of shape?”

He straightened up and looked down at me. “I don’t sprint more than ten yards at a time, bro. That shit is for marathon runners or something. I do ten-yard sprints. Know what I’m saying?” He held his hands apart, as if it was supposed to represent ten yards. “Ten yards, Matty. That’s it.”

I couldn’t stop grinning and shook my head at him. “Okay, man. Whatever you say.” I held out a hand. “It’s good to see you.”

He slapped my hand away and faked a snarl at me, then grabbed me in a giant bear hug and bounced me up and down.

People all around laughed and took pictures. I held my arms out to the side like, What do you do?

Aiden set me down and belted out a laugh that echoed through the airport. Suddenly, he looked at me like he was disgusted and turned the volume up on his voice. “You need to stop playing in the airport, Stallworth. This place ain’t a park. Grow up, man.”

His face still serious, he grabbed my bag and started for the door. I followed and patted him on the back. “It is good to see you. Once a year isn’t enough.”

People all over the airport were smiling and laughing, still snapping pictures with their phones.

He glanced down at me and smiled. “I know. Good to see you, too, Matty.”

I pulled out my phone at Aiden’s place and had one message.

Kelsey: Have fun on your trip.

Aiden clapped a hand on the back of my neck before I had time to reply. “So how you been?”

“Pretty good. How do you like it out here?”

He stared down at the floor and his shoulders slumped for a brief second and then he popped back up with a giant smile on his face. “I love it here, dude. Seriously. It’s the best.”

In a year I’d forgotten how much I loved Aiden. The only thing that would’ve been better was if Ethan was here, too. Aiden bounced around when he spoke and his arms flailed in all directions any time he was excited about something.

“Bro, first off, you know I love cheese, right? I ain’t even playin’.” He nodded at me like I should agree. “And it’s cold as fuck here! Who would’ve thought I’d love the cold? No more sweating my big ass off twenty-four-seven.” He tapped my chest with the back of his hand excitedly, still eager to tell me more reasons why he loved it. “And when it snows, which, let’s face it, is all the fucking time, dude, you can’t go anywhere. You know I’m not getting out on the road in that shit, bro. So I just sit at home and play Xbox.”

I grinned. “That’s awesome, man. I’m happy for you.”

Aiden came from South Texas and football was a way of life in the state. He’d been with Tampa Bay for the past few years, but was traded last season to Green Bay.

“So you ready for the Bears this weekend?”

“Man, you already know. Shit.” We bumped fists. “So what’s up with you? E get your contract sorted out yet?”

I waved off his words. “They’re still talking and talking or whatever they do. I don’t worry about that stuff. It bores me.”

Aiden nodded. “You’re in good hands. That dude is like the fucking Ari Gold of sports agents.”

“Truth.”

“So what else you been up to? Haven’t heard from you as much the past week or so. I know you don’t do shit in the off-season.”

We both chuckled, but I looked away.

“Just been a little busy.”

“Pfft. You? Busy? What’s up?”

“Been seeing a girl.”

“Ahhh!” He gave me a quick shove on the shoulder. “There it is. Finally, the truth.” Aiden closed his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. “Man, I miss Texas women. I sure as shit do. God bless ’em.”

I rested an elbow on the kitchen island. “What about the girls up here?”

Aiden shook his head. “Man, don’t get me wrong., Wisconsin has some hot-ass women.” He did the whistle thing guys do when they agree with what they just said. “But fuck, dude. You can’t beat a fine Texas woman. They don’t make ’em like that anywhere else.” He started strutting around the kitchen like a model on the runway. “In them summer dresses and shorty-ass shorts when it’s all hot outside. Dayum! And they’re all sassy and smart, too. Don’t take any of your shit. And I know you guys are up north, but hell, down in the south with Southern accents and shit…God, you make me wanna go home and find a wife.”

I couldn’t argue with him. Texas women were the best, hands down. And I’d been on two dates with the hottest, sexiest, smartest one in the whole damn state.

“Shit, I need to send a message real quick. Hang on.” I’d forgotten to text Kelsey back. I pulled out my phone, then glanced over at Aiden. I hit the camera app on my phone. “Hey, do me a favor and act goofy and shit so I can take a picture.”

“Say what? Do I look like a clown to you, Matty?” He scoffed. “Is this like that time you and E filled up my car with popcorn while I was at practice?”

I doubled over in laughter while Aiden glared. We had pulled some pretty epic pranks on him during college.

“Or the time you asked me to sign a helmet for a little kid? With a permanent marker?”

I clutched my ribs and pointed at him, barely able to contain my laughter.

“And it was my own fuckin’ helmet!”

I lost it, could hardly breathe.

“Man, I had to wear that shit to practice every day. It wouldn’t come off!”

“Are you gonna take the picture or what?” I tried to keep a straight face.

“Oh wait! How about the time you assholes talked that fake reporter from the college newspaper into asking me questions about being declared ineligible?”

I doubled over again. “Maybe we got a little carried away.” I looked off at the wall.

“I cried in the locker room, Matty!”

I turned back, trying not to laugh.

“You and Ethan hid behind the fucking lockers, rolling around laughing on the floor as those very real tears rolled down my cheeks!”

I shrugged. “Umm, sorry?”

He grinned. “You ain’t sorry. Don’t play like you’re sorry, Matt. ’Cause you’re not!”

“Why are you bringing up old stuff? The statute of limitations has expired. You gonna do this for me or not?”

Aiden chuckled. “Okay, you know I’ll do some crazy-ass shit, hold up.”

“Here, just take the phone and do one of those selfie things or whatever.”

I’d planned on sending Kelsey a goofy picture of Aiden to set her mind at ease. It wasn’t necessary, but I thought it’d be the nice thing to do. Maybe if she saw us in our element she’d be less worried I was going to clubs with women hanging all over me.

Aiden grabbed the phone and held it up damn near to the ceiling. “I gotta do this angle thing so I don’t get a double chin, homie. Nobody wants a fucking double chin, Matt, you hear me? Selfie-taking is an art form and I’m like the Da Vinci of this shit!”

I couldn’t stop laughing and planned on texting Ethan to let him know everything he was missing out on by staying at home to plan his wedding. I turned my gaze up to my phone and then to Aiden’s face. He started to do something and his eyes bugged out like they might pop out of his head.

“Holy shit! That’s perfect. Take the picture.” I could barely breathe at the sight of his face.

But he yanked the phone down and covered his eyes, then held my cell out to me.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know, bro. But I think it was something that wasn’t meant for me to see. Sorry.”

I yanked the phone away and looked down at the screen.

Kelsey: I know you’re hanging with your friend, so I thought I’d give you something to look at later.

It was a picture of Kelsey’s tits, still covered by a bra—thank God. She had one of her tight band T-shirts pulled up to her neck. My cock kicked up north in a heartbeat.

God, she’s so perfect.

I couldn’t stop smiling at the picture and then my jaw tightened.

“Dude, I’m so sorry about that, man. It just popped up on the screen.”

I realized it wasn’t Aiden’s fault. Hell, if it had to happen to anyone, I was glad it was him.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s cool. I promise.”

“But I do need to tell you one thing, about that there picture.” He narrowed his eyes at me.

I cocked an inquisitive eyebrow at Aiden.

“Well fucking done, bro. Up top!” He held a hand up.

I pretended to be unenthusiastic about giving him five. He shoved my shoulder and grinned.

“So who is she?”

“Her name is Kelsey. You have to meet her. She’s fucking awesome. Seriously.”

Aiden stared at me for a few seconds. “You really like her, huh?”

“Yeah, man. How could you tell?”

“I don’t know. Just, something different about you when you talk about her. Compared to how you act when you’ve dated other girls. Can’t put my finger on exactly what.”

“She’s so different from the others. Seriously. Loves music. Doesn’t know shit about baseball. Doesn’t fangirl all over the place.”

“I love her already.”

“Hah! You really will love her, though.”

“I love when my bros are happy. If she makes you happy, then I love her. Simple as that.”

“Thanks, man.” I smiled and realized something as I talked to one of my best friends, who’d already seen the first dirty picture my not-yet-girlfriend had sent me.

I liked talking to people about Kelsey Martin, and I liked telling my best friends how awesome she was. I’d never done that with a girl before.

“So you guys dating? Exclusive? What’s the status we dealing with here?” Aiden took a seat on a bar stool across from me.

“Complicated, as usual.”

“Worried about media shit?”

I nodded.

“It’s one of the problems that comes with all that money, as my mom always says.”

“Well, I would never doubt your mom.”

“Yours, either. Shit. Those ladies know what they’re talking about.”

“There’s one other problem, too.”

“What’s that?”

“She doesn’t know anything about my free agency.”

Aiden looked up at the ceiling and sighed. “Matty.”

“I know, okay. I just—it’s a long story. She spooks easily. And has trouble with trust.”

“And you think not telling her is good for those trust issues?” He shook his head at me like I was being ridiculous.

“I don’t think she’d have ever given me a chance at all if she knew.”

Aiden looked around the kitchen, the wheels in his brain spinning. “Yeah, it is complicated.”

I smacked him on the arm. “Enough with the heavy shit. What do you want to do tonight?” I looked down at Kelsey’s picture once more and saved it to my phone. I knew what I’d be doing later later.

“Figured low-key. Maybe a couple beers and some pizza or something. Just chill. That sound good?”

“It sounds fucking perfect. I just need to make a phone call first. That cool?”

“Of course. Go talk to your woman. Let me know when y’all register at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I love that fucking store. They got everything there.”

I shot him the finger and he damn near choked on his own laughter. “Guest room is that way, right?” I pointed back through the kitchen.

“Yep.”

I turned around and took two steps.

“You think I’m kidding about triple B, dog. I’m not.”

I held up my middle finger without turning back.

“Check out that KitchenAid mixer on that fucking counter if you don’t believe me, Matty. Got it on sale for two forty-nine. That Empire Red makes your kitchen pop. You’ll be the talk of the town when you host dinner parties. Make all kinds of cookies and pies and shit.”

I was still giving him the finger and turned back to smile. I thought he might fall off the bar stool he was laughing at his joke so hard.

All kinds of photos hung on each side of the hallway wall. I stopped to look at a few. One of them was me, Aiden, and Ethan out in front of our old college dorms. Aiden towered between us and had an arm around each one of us. We were so damn young. I think one of the reasons I always liked to visit him was the nostalgia. It always brought me back to who I was and where I came from, even though ironically I had to leave home to see it.

I glanced to another photo, Aiden and me in front of Bizzell before a show. Other pictures were of him playing ball in college and the NFL, and then a ton of pictures of him and his family.

I glanced down to Kelsey’s tits on my screen and hurried to the room. The king-size bed called my name and I did a giant swan dive at it, then remembered my cock was still semi-hard and I definitely did not want to land on him. I attempted to rotate to my back midair and barrel-rolled right off the bed and into the wall.

“Motherfucker!” I reached a hand behind me and arched my back.

Aiden came thundering down the hall and ran into the room.

He clutched his palms to his face like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. “What’d you dooo?”

I couldn’t think of a lie fast enough and told him what just happened.

His entire torso shook and his cheeks puffed out like a laughter bomb on a countdown. He finally schooled his features and folded his arms over his chest. “Now, look, Matthew. If you want to stay here, we do not jump on the bed. Okay?” He pointed his finger at me and mocked me with a stern schoolteacher’s voice.

“Yes, ma’am. I promise.”

He wagged his index finger in the air as he walked out of the room and then I heard him burst into laughter in the hallway.

The shooting pain in my back subsided and I grabbed my phone, which had shot across the floor during my brief stint as a stunt man. I swiped the screen and tapped on Kelsey’s contact information.

It started to ring and butterflies twisted my stomach into a knot.

“Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me. Sorry. I was hanging out with Aiden and this was my first chance to call.”

“You don’t have to apologize. You went there to hang out with your friend, not talk to me the whole time.”

“What if I want to talk to you the whole time?”

“Well, I would probably tell you, hmm…” She paused for a second. “To stop acting whipped and hang out with your buddy.”

“You really are perfect. You know that?”

“You think I’m blushing right now, but I’m not.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“Okay, Stallworth. I will.”

Fuck, the shit it did to me when she called me by my last name. I didn’t know if it was because she called me by my last name, or just because it was her saying it.

“Good.”

“So…”

I didn’t know how to bring up the whole picture incident.

“Umm, yeah, so the message you sent…”

“You sound apprehensive. You didn’t like it?”

“You fucking kidding me?” The words came out fast and loud before I could stop them.

Kelsey laughed on the other end. “Why were you talking all like it was the end of the world, then?”

“Yeah, about that. So, Aiden might’ve gotten a peek, too.”

“What? Matt! You showed your buddy? What the—?”

“No, no, no! Just listen, please. I wouldn’t do that.”

I heard teeth grinding in my ear. Fuck. “Okay, so I handed him my phone because he’s like the goofiest guy on the planet and not some cocky, womanizing athlete. And I told him to take a funny selfie. I was going to send it to you to be like, ohhh, Aiden says hi, or whatever. Just so you’d know we’d spend most of our time playing Xbox and just talking about old times and stuff. And he went to take the selfie—”

“Oh my God. Seriously?”

“Yeah, his eyes about popped out of his head and he covered his face and held the phone out at me.”

Kelsey chuckled and it soon turned into hysterical laughter. I didn’t know if it was laughter I should laugh at or laughter that said, I’m so fucking embarrassed I’m just going to laugh until it goes away.

I chuckled. “I really am sorry, and he did his best not to look.”

“It’s okay.” Her voice changed from embarrassed to sexy as hell. “Did you like what you saw?”

I lay down flat on my back and my cock tried to high-five the ceiling. I looked down at him. “You could say that.”

My eyes rolled over to the open door and then back to my dick. It was a horrible idea after what’d already happened, but if I didn’t get some relief soon I’d be at risk of passing out.

“I thought you might be missing them, so they wanted to say hi.”

Goddamn, she always knew the right shit to say.

“Hang on a second.”

I dropped the phone and hopped up from the bed. The door creaked and I cringed while I shut it as quietly as possible.

“Hello? Matt?” Kelsey’s voice rustled through the phone speaker on the bed.

I ran back over and resumed my former position.

“Sorry, I was shutting the door.”

“So you could talk dirty to me on the phone?”

I bit one of the knuckles on my free hand. Fuck, this woman. The worst part was I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious. I needed to test the waters.

“Do you want me to?”

A slight moan landed in my ear and disappeared like she moved the phone away from her mouth.

After a brief silence I heard her breathing again. “It’s probably not a good idea.”

I knew she was playing hard to get, but fuck if my brain didn’t overanalyze everything with her, and constant doubt was the result.

“You sure?”

Another slight whimper confirmed my original suspicions. “No, you asshole.”

I chuckled.

“Where are you, anyway?”

She giggled a little and it made me smile. Kelsey was anything but a giggler.

“At work.”

Maybe this would be more fun than I thought. “Oh, so you could get in trouble? This just got interesting.”

“Stop! I’ve never done anything like this, or umm, that, before.”

I was pretty sure she was blushing, and my dick somehow managed to harden even more. “Like what?”

“Don’t play stupid, Stallworth. You know what.”

Fuck. My last name from her lips again.

I stroked my cock over my shorts. “I really don’t.”

“Seriously? I’ve never sent a guy a picture of my boobs before.”

Really?

I took her as being more adventurous. Score a new first for Matty.

“Well, they are incredible, if I do say so myself.”

“Why, thank you.”

I smiled. “So what’d you do? Go hide out in the office to pull up your shirt?”

“Oh my God.”

I imagined her biting her lip and smiling on the phone.

“What? It’s a legit question.”

“I’m shaking my head at you right now.”

“You’re smiling, too.”

She chuckled. “Am not.”

“You’re a bad liar.”

“Maybe I did it in the middle of the store. And maybe there were customers with their backs to me.”

She fell right into my plan and tried to turn the tables—get the upper hand. “Yeah, right.”

“Maybe I was in the office.”

I snickered.

“I’m crazier than you think.”

“You’re sexier than you think, too.”

She paused. “Don’t act like you know me, Stallworth.”

Her words made my cock ache something fierce and I freed him from captivity while nervously glancing to the door. “What are you wearing anyway? Besides the bra. I know what it looks like now.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“That’s why I asked.”

Her breathing got a little heavier into the phone. “You are bad. I shouldn’t be doing this at work.”

“You started it.”

She laughed. “You’re right. I did. But I figured you’d call me later tonight or something, not while I was at work.”

“Well, you were wrong. Now give up the details, Martin.”

Her voice morphed to a whisper. A sexy fucking whisper. “Levi’s and a Grateful Dead tee.”

“A form-fitting tee? It looked like it, but it was all bunched up in my photo.”

“You’re all about specifics, aren’t you?”

I grinned. “Oh yes. Is it tie-dyed?”

“Yes.”

“I like your bra. It’s sexy as fuck.”

“God, are you staring at my chest on your phone?”

“You’re damn right I am. Every second I’m not talking into it.” It was time to amp things up a notch. I cut her off when she started to speak. “I have my cock in my hand, too.”

“Jesus.” The word came out on an exhale. “You do not.”

“Want to see?”

I couldn’t help myself and it was a stupid, stupid idea. Dick pics were a big no with my PR people. So many famous people were busted left and right for sending them, from musicians to athletes to politicians.

“It’s a good thing you’re so far away right now.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you make my head spin and all rationality just flies out the window.”

“Oh yeah? Getting a little aroused over there, Martin?”

I stroked my cock a few times thinking about Kelsey in her outfit and the things I would do to her.

“Aroused? Are you kidding me?”

“What?”

“I was wet the second I saw your number pop up on my phone. We’ve moved past aroused. I’m pretty sure I’d just bend over the counter and let you do whatever you wanted to me at this point.”

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

My hand sped up on my cock and my breathing shallowed.

“Umm, shit. Did I really just say that out loud?”

“Yeah,” I groaned. I didn’t mean to groan; it was involuntary.

“You really are holding your dick, aren’t you?”

“Umm, after what you just told me, I’m doing more than holding it.”

“Jesus, Matt, this isn’t a good idea. We should stop.”

“We?” I grinned. “You’re touching yourself, aren’t you?”

“I can’t fucking stop.” Her words were hot and needy.

“Go somewhere private, now.”

Footsteps beat in my ear like Kelsey had taken off running. I swiped to the camera on my phone and took a picture of my rock-hard cock in my hand, then sent it to her without thinking through any repercussions. I had zero fucks to give right now.

A door closed and Kelsey whispered, “Are you there?”

“Yes.”

“I feel so dirty doing this, and excited at the same—oh my God!”

“Get my picture?”

She moaned into the phone this time. “Mmm-hmm.”

I worked my pants off my legs and listened to her heavy exhales while stroking my cock up and down slowly.

“What are you doing, Kelsey?”

“Circling my clit over my panties, thinking about you and your cock.”

My balls tightened, already threatening to release the tension.

“Slide them down and touch yourself.”

“Okay.”

“What do you want me to do to you?”

“God, everything.”

“You want me to lick you first? Tease your clit with my tongue?”

“Uh-huh.”

“My cock is so fucking hard while I think about tasting you.”

“Jesus.”

“Are you standing by a wall?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Bend over against it and reach back to touch your pussy.”

I heard some rustling and then her heavy breaths returned to the phone. “You’re demanding.”

“Goddamn right I am.” I pumped my cock a couple more times, imagining her bent over against the wall. Why the fuck did I go on vacation? “Imagine me behind you with my face buried in your pussy, tonguing your clit from behind.”

“Oh my God, Stallworth. I’m not going to last long with your filthy orders.”

“Don’t come yet.”

“I’m trying, but it’s kind of hard when you’re licking my pussy from behind.”

I smiled. “Stop touching yourself and smack your ass, then dig your fingernails in.”

“What? Why?”

“Because it’s what I’d do right before I shoved my cock inside you.”

The static from her breathing took over my ear, and I heard a thwack, and then an even louder moan.

“You want me to fuck you, Kelsey?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

I wasn’t sure if she could even talk at this point.

“Jesus, if I were there I’d grab a handful of your hair and tease your clit with the head of my cock. Then tell you I need to hear an answer.”

Kelsey gasped and managed to get a few words out. “God, please pull my hair.”

“And what else?”

“Whatever you—fuck, I just want your cock. Right now.”

“You gonna come on my dick when I fuck you up against that wall?”

She groaned, loud. “Yes, please. I need it, now.”

My hand was a blur, pumping my cock like a madman. “Pull your hair and smack your ass while you come all over my dick.”

“Jesus, Stallworth. I can’t wait—”

A ringtone went off in my ear and I jolted, dropping my phone to the bed. Kelsey moaned out her orgasm as my hands scrambled for my phone and I fumbled it around.

Ethan’s face with his Snapchat filter filled the front screen.

That motherfucker!

I hit the decline button and shoved the phone back to my ear right as Kelsey came down from her orgasm.

“Holy. Shit. Stallworth, that was—no words. Did you get off, too?”

My jaw tightened. “No.”

“Wait, what? Hang on.”

I heard her zip up her pants.

“What do you mean you didn’t get off, too?”

“Ethan tried to call right in the middle of your big O, and I dropped my phone on the bed.”

A muffled laugh fell in my ear and I could tell she was trying not to snicker and covering her mouth with her hand.

A text flashed across the screen.

Ethan: Quit stroking Aiden’s meaty dick. I need to talk about your contract.

I looked down at my deflated cock and shook my head.

“I’m sorry. I’m trying not to laugh.”

“It’s okay. You’re taken care of, right?”

Ethan was a fucking dead man.

“Are you kidding me? It was the second best orgasm I’ve ever had.”

We both sat there for a second in silence, and it was almost awkward.

“I really shouldn’t stroke your ego like that.”

“You should stroke that, and also—”

“It was okay, Stallworth. You know, normal. Average.”

I chuckled.

“Seriously, though, you are a naughty boy.”

“Please, like you didn’t want it.”

“Maybe.”

“I really do need to call Ethan back. We’re not finished with this, though.”

“I got what I needed. You go handle your business.”

I shook my head. “Have a good afternoon at work.”

“Oh, it’s going to be a wonderful day—now.” She laughed.

“Can I call you later, asshole?”

“Yes, dickhead, but hang out with your friend. I don’t want to take you away from whatever you’re doing.”

“Sounds good.”

“Bye.”

I sighed. “Bye.”

Guilt pounded my stomach the second I hung up the phone. Kelsey served as a brief break from reality, and then it all always crashed back into me the second she left. Ethan needed to talk about my contract. Why? Had something changed?

I rolled over on my side and my balls ached like a motherfucker. At least I’d gotten Kelsey off before he called. I pressed his stupid face on my phone.

Three rings and he answered.

“It’s about fucking time.”

“I’m going to kick the shit out of you.”

Ethan laughed. “Whoa. What’d I do?”

I started to say and then stopped. Would Kelsey approve of me telling people about her sneaking off to some office closet or something and rubbing one out while on the phone with me? Most likely not.

“I can’t say, but you fucked it up.”

“Well, I’m truly sorry for your misfortune, Matthew. I have a pressing matter.”

I sat up on the side of the bed and my feet hit the floor. “Don’t get all condescending. What’s up?”

“The contract. We’ve had some changes.”

“What kind of changes?”

“The Yankees. They upped it to four twenty-five.”

I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Any other player in the league would be dancing around their room at that very moment, and yet it was like a knife plunged deeper into my stomach. All I could think about was my friends, and the fans, and my teammates, and my nephews—and then right smack in the middle was Kelsey in a Grateful Dead shirt and Levi’s, smiling at me.

“Matty, you there?”

“Yeah, yeah, sorry. Four twenty-five? Still twelve years?”

“Yep.”

I shook my head for a quick second.

“They want an answer soon. Fuckers are impatient over there.”

“I just—I don’t know right now.”

“I know. Doesn’t need to be today.”

“Okay.”

“But Matty?”

“Yeah.”

“We do need to figure out something pretty soon. It’s not good for you to stew over this for a super-long time.”

“I need to set up some meetings with my charities and see how their numbers are and all that business-type shit. Can you help me with it?” It was an excuse to buy me some time. I was certain he knew it, too.

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

I let out another long exhale. “Okay, thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Go have fun on your trip. Tell Aiden I said what’s up and sorry I couldn’t make it, and that he’s a ten-ton bitch of a man.”

I chuckled. “I will.”

I took a swig from a bottle of Bud Light and glanced over. Aiden pretty much ate half a piece of pizza in one bite.

“Better take it easy with that.”

“Don’t you worry about me. I know how to handle my shit.”

I laughed and looked at the television. SportsCenter played on the screen but I was far too distracted to even process what was going on.

Aiden kept looking over at me and then he finally said something. “You all right? You seem distracted.”

My head spun toward him and I stared blankly. “Huh? What? I mean, no, I’m fine.”

“Is it the girl?”

Fuck it, I had to get the shit off my chest. Keeping it all buried was driving me up the fucking wall. “Yes. No. Man, it’s just—it’s a lot of shit.”

“Right. So you want to give me a clue? You still stewing over the contract stuff?”

I waved him off. “Nah, man. I don’t want to bother you anymore with my shit.”

“Pfft. We’re friends, man. That’s the kinda shit friends do. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Well, fine. So, there’s Kelsey, yes.”

Aiden’s eyes widened and he grinned. “And?”

I looked away. “Yanks upped their offer.”

“No shit? I swear the money you white dudes get for that sport is sick.”

I turned back to his huge shit-eating grin. Not smiling back was impossible. “Yeah, blocking is a tough gig.” I nodded to the whole pizza that sat next to him.

“It’s an excruciating life, Matty. It truly is.”

We both burst into laughter.

“So what’d they offer?”

“It was four hundo for twelve years, now it’s four twenty-five.”

Aiden shot up straight in his seat. “Million?”

I nodded.

“But Texas is home. That’s where you belong and shit.”

“I know.” I dropped my head into my hands.

“Well, what did they offer you?”

“Three hundred for ten.”

“Jesus. But I mean, that’s where your lady is.”

“She’s not technically my lady, but—”

“Stop fuckin’ around. She’s your lady. Don’t gimme that shit.” He stood up and paced back and forth in front of me.

I saw the gears spinning in his head while he processed all the information I’d just given him. “So, the fans. They won’t be happy, right? You’ll look like you sold out for the dollars.”

“Yep.”

“But that’s way more money than the Rangers offered. Like way more. Even when you even it out per year.”

“You are correct, sir.”

“And you know that’s probably their top dollar. I mean, you have E negotiating your shit and they know that. He’s not an agent to be fucked with.”

“God bless him, that is also true.”

“That money can set up your family for, like, ever and shit, though. I mean, I know we’re seen as greedy-ass overpaid athletes and shit, but that’s like family-tree-changing money. Like redwood family-tree-changing.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh shit, and your charities and stuff, too.” He walked over and put a hand on my shoulder. “Fuck, bro. I can see why this is eating you up.”

“It’s okay. Really. It’s my shit and this is supposed to be a fun—”

Aiden stood up straight and scowled. “No. Naw, no, hell no, Matty. You, me, E—we’re family. This isn’t just a you problem. It’s a we problem. When one of us is hurting, we all hurt. And I know you don’t want to live in New York and play for the Yankees.”

“So what do you think I should do?”

He put his hands on his hips and sighed. “Well, what did Ethan say?”

I chuckled.

Aiden smiled back. “Dude, he’s the business guru. You hear the business side from that dude, then you come to me for the emotional advice. That’s how this family here works.”

It was impossible to not feel better with Aiden around.

“He told me to take less than the Rangers offered.”

Aiden whipped around and his eyes bugged out. “He told you to take less?”

I laughed. “Yep.”

“You fire his ass, now!”

We both doubled over and fist-bumped each other.

Once we’d recovered from having a nice laugh at Ethan’s expense, Aiden looked at me, a tad more serious. “Seriously, though. Why in the hell would he want you to take less?”

“Well, he said the Rangers were stretching themselves financially to make the offer they did.”

“I guess that makes sense. Fuck it, what do I know? E is a smart dude. Knows his shit.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I say, do what makes you happy. You can’t be all worried about great-great-great-grandchildren. And I’m sure you’ll still raise a shit ton of money for charities.”

“I know. At the same time, though, it’s—”

“It’s what?” Aiden quirked an eyebrow.

“You know I hate the Yankees. It just comes from being a Rangers fan as a kid. But at the same time, it’s like a different type of hate. Like an envious hate.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“It’s like the hottest snobby girl in school. Know what I mean?”

“Ahhh, I see. You talk shit about her, but you wouldn’t turn her down in the bedroom when you’re sixteen with acne all over your face.”

“Exactly. The Yankees are the prom queen.”

“Speaking of the ladies, this new one—”

I leaned back into the couch and sighed. “I know.”

“Never seen you like this with a girl before. That is true. But it’s still new, right?”

“Yep.”

“And you know that newness wears off after a while, right?”

I rolled my eyes over to him. “I’m aware.”

Aiden’s hands shot up in defense. “I’m just keeping it real. We gotta be practical and shit.”

“I know.” I dragged out the last syllable.

“Shit can go wrong. Does she know about your past?”

“Yeah. I told her all about it.”

“Good, good. Did you tell her about the contract situation on the phone earlier?”

I shook my head at him.

He glared. “You have to tell her.”

“It’s so soon. I don’t want to—”

“Matt—” He flashed me one of those real stares. “She needs to know if you’re even entertaining the possibility you might leave.”

“This is going to sound really stupid, but can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, bro.”

“Is it weird or just—I don’t know—fucking completely insane, that she is the number one thing in my mind that’s making me want to stay? Honestly? I would never tell anyone else in the world this, because it just sounds so stupid when I say it.”

Aiden looked up at the ceiling and let out a long exhale. He sat there for what seemed like an eternity, just staring up. “My mom always told me that when you know, you know.”

I stared over at him.

He turned and stared right at me. “Do you know?”

My heart thumped against my rib cage. I knew the answer. The answer was yes, a million fucking times yes. My brain tried to be rational but this whole moment with Aiden was so truthful and real. “Yeah, man. She’s the one.”

Aiden smiled.

“My head keeps getting in the way, like it’s too soon to know. Like this shit doesn’t just happen this fast. It’s all chemicals and shit firing off and hormones, but I’ve had that happen with women before. Nothing of that even scratches the surface with Kelsey. She is it. The one.”

“Then what is making this decision so hard for you?”

“Because I’m pretty sure I’m starting to fall for her.” I shook my head. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal to pursue her in the beginning, because I think I would’ve ended up staying in Texas no matter what before her. Like I was worried, because I knew there was a small chance I might leave, but I really think I would’ve reasoned it all out and taken the deal with the Rangers at the end of the day. I was just taking my time to think things through.”

Aiden looked at me like I was a weird-looking bug. “Wait, pretty sure? You are or you aren’t but whatever, dude. What’s the problem, then?”

“You know what I mean. Yeah, I’m sure.” I sighed. “And I’m afraid if somehow the universe pushes us apart, if I tell her now and she doesn’t want anything to do with me—I mean fuck, I’ll probably go to New York.”