Hello Quarterback (Hello #8)

4. Ford

4

FORD

I walked into an invite-only café in downtown Dallas with my agent, Brock Hudson. Local celebrities were given a golden card to show at the door to ensure we had a semi-private place to spend time together without anyone listening in. Of course the paparazzi had figured this out and were always stationed along the sidewalk with their constantly flashing cameras.

After getting inside, we picked a couple seats in the corner and ordered drinks. Brock was massive, a former lineman turned agent. He seemed out of place with the café’s stiff, modern chairs and tiny drinking glasses.

While we waited for our drinks, Brock said, “Why the extra meeting, son?”

I glanced around just to doublecheck no one was listening. “Things aren’t good, Brock.”

Brock tensed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, making his dress shirt stretch dangerously around his shoulders. “What is it? If it’s that private, we can take it to my office.”

I shook my head. I knew better than to trust his office, where a team of agents worked. Here, there was music playing loudly that made it impossible to overhear the intimate conversations taking place, and I didn’t bring business to my house. That was my place to relax and be with family. So I explained, “After the game yesterday, Trent suggested my contract may not be up for renewal.”

“What?” Brock’s eyes widened so far they would have popped out of his head if he’d been a cartoon.

I glanced up, seeing a server returning with our drinks. She passed me a frosted glass of green tea and gave Brock his espresso in a comically tiny cup. We both thanked her, and I took a sip, just to wet my lips. After she left, I explained, “Trent wants me to date his daughter or risk my spot on the team.”

“Felicity?” Brock said, looking even more confused. “What’s the problem? She’s a good-looking girl.”

I raised my eyebrows. “The problem? She’s daddy’s little girl, Brock. She gets what she wants, and apparently that’s a relationship with me. It’s all a distraction from what I should be focusing on. Winning the championship this year instead of sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else celebrate.”

He twisted his lips to the side, mulling it over. “So it’s date her or get fired?”

“Unless I have a relationship with someone else...”

“Do you?” Brock asked, just as the café door opened.

Camera flashes followed the pair walking inside. Hayden French, a famous singer my nieces adored and... My eyebrows drew together. Mia .

She looked gorgeous in a dark blue dress that cinched in at her waist and showed off her curves. Her smile came easily as she said something to the singer and they sat down in a pair of chairs near a window. As if he was putting on a fashion show, he withdrew his sunglasses and posed subtly in the reflective window, mussing his hair. Did Mia notice it?

Brock said, “Are you seeing someone, Ford?”

My mind snapped back to the conversation, “No. I have shit to do that’s bigger than a relationship.” It came out rougher than I meant it, but Brock didn’t seem to mind.

“The charity,” he said knowingly.

I nodded. Even a gulp of tea couldn’t help the tightness in my throat. “But I have about five seconds to start dating someone and make it look real. If Trent’s this serious about me going out with his daughter, imagine how it will go when it’s time to break up.”

Brock drained the rest of his espresso and then set it down. He took a long moment to wipe his lips with a napkin while he mulled over all the information. “A decision to let you go would not go over well with the fans. Maybe he’s bluffing.”

I’d considered the possibility but doubted it. If I understood one thing, it was the lengths a person would go to for their family. “Trent can spin my release in any way he likes, and I couldn’t even defend myself because of my NDA,” I returned. “And you weren’t there in his office. He wasn’t bluffing. He meant it.”

Brock swore and pressed his thick fingertips to his temples. “Give me a second to think.”

I nodded, sitting back and glancing across the café again, toward Mia. The pop star was making her switch places with him... What the hell?

She sat down with her back to the window, and sunshine passed through the glass, glancing off her blond hair. She looked like a cherub.

Now Hayden was looking past her, still mussing his hair. Did he make her change seats so he could see his reflection better ?

Was this a business meeting? Please let it be a business meeting and not a date.

But then I saw him reach across the table and hold her hand.

Fuck .

That wasn’t business meeting behavior, even for vapid pop stars.

I tried to read Mia, but her friendly smile gave nothing away. Didn’t she know that he didn’t deserve her? That she deserved better than someone so self-obsessed he had hardly given her a second glance despite sitting across from her? How could a person like him ever be faithful with women throwing themselves at him?

I knew it wasn’t my place to intervene. I was nothing more to her than the friend of her former boss. An acquaintance. And no matter how hot she was, I promised myself a long time ago to stay single until I had accomplished everything I wanted in life. No distractions.

Brock shifting in his seat caught my eye, and I looked back at him. He steepled his fingers, saying, “Why don’t you take Felicity out, go out with her once a week for dinner? You have to eat sometime.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “Brock, women like that hear it’s once a week and are determined to prove you wrong.”

He sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. “So you need help finding a girlfriend then, because that’s the only alternative I’m seeing to going out with Felicity or calling Trent on his bluff.”

I lowered my gaze. I didn’t want to date at all. I just wanted to focus on the game, on my goals.

“Your family is here. Your friends are here,” Brock reminded me. “You’ve built up these players and this program. Imagine the hours you’ve put into getting to know your teammates, finding out what makes them tick and getting the best of them... Tell me this, Ford, are you willing to lose your place on the team over this?”

His hard gray eyes met mine, and I slowly shook my head.

“You and I both know games aren’t just played on the field. Find a way to win this one. Or call me, and I’m sure I can find you a new team.” Brock got up to leave, tossed a few bills on the table, and walked away.

I sat back in my chair, frustrated. One of the reasons I signed with Brock was because I liked how straightforward he was with me. But now, the truth was hard to handle. Maybe I was making Felicity worse in my mind because I was rebelling... Maybe she wasn’t so bad?

Tugging my phone from my pocket, I typed “Felicity Reynolds” into the search bar. Within seconds, several headlines popped up.

Model-actress continues feud with co-star

Model reveals sordid details post-breakup

This model’s Instagram post is causing an uproar, here’s why

It took all I had not to groan. I didn’t want to be just another headline in her dating history. I didn’t want any part of this.

I glanced up, seeing Hayden put the charm on Mia. And out of curiosity, I typed her name into the search bar.

From secretary to CEO

How this CEO motivates her employees

CEO sighted volunteering with unhoused for local nonprofit

I glanced up Mia, knowing if the media could find dirt, they would. Mia didn’t have any. It made me respect her that much more, and frankly, pissed me off that Hayden took for granted the woman who was sitting in front of him. She could do better.