Change of Hart(77)

I knew I had only known them a short amount of time, but I was quickly coming to grips with the fact that I was in this for the long haul. With the exception of my mother, I had never felt that way about anyone before. It still freaked me out. But again, I was coming to grips with it.

It didn’t help that the New York Giants had completely kicked our asses. We started out just fine. In fact, we were up 14 - 0 at halftime. But then it all fell apart. By the end of the game, we hadn’t just lost. We had been slaughtered 30 - 17. Ouch.

We strolled into the locker room as a team, none of us in a hurry to participate in the mandatory press conferences. But what can you do? Talking to the press was part of our job, even after a loss like this one.

I quickly changed out of my uniform and headed to the stage where all the microphones were attached to a podium. I always wondered how that thing didn’t just topple off the stage with all the mics sitting right on top. While I waited for my turn in front of the cameras, I checked my messages. Sure enough, Jaxon had left his regular message of encouragement.

“Hi, Jason! It’s Jaxon. My mom said I can’t stay on the phone very long cause we’re at my Pee-paw’s house, but I wanted to tell you what a great game that was! You had so many sacks, I couldn’t even count them all! And I missed one of them when I had to go to the bathroom, but mom says I shouldn’t tell you that part ‘cause it’s gross. Anyway, I know you lost. But you’re still my favorite player, Jason. You did awesome! I’ll see you later . . . bye!”

I smiled. That kid could always put me in a better mood. Answering questions for a few dozen reporters wasn’t so hard after that.

Once I finished with my obligations in front of the camera, I made my way back over to the locker room. I tried calling Addison but she didn’t answer. She was at some anniversary party for Mick and Angela, so I’d just have to try again later.

When I got back to the locker room, I looked over at my locker and groaned when I saw the suit hanging up. This wasn’t just a suit, it was Armani. What the hell was this for? On cue, my phone beeped, alerting me of a text.

Adam: I’m assuming you forgot. You’re having dinner with Sara Perez and escorting her to a red carpet event for her next movie. When you’re ready to go, security will take you to the front where there is a car waiting. Your flight is booked for two tomorrow afternoon so you can sleep in. All cleared with coaches and administration.

I groaned.

“Where are you headed?” Deuce asked as he threw some clothes on. Somehow, he had gotten out of doing a press conference tonight so he was already showered and ready to go home.

“I forgot about this red carpet event I told Sara I’d go to,” I said, stripping myself of my sweaty clothes.

“Did you tell Addison about it?”

“Of course not. I forgot about it myself,” I answered as I headed toward the showers. “I guess I’ll see you at home, brother. Looks like tomorrow’s weight lifting session is out since I won’t be home until about four-thirty.”

“No worries,” he called after me. “I’m sure my little nesting doll will have me moving furniture all over the house anyway.”

“Ok, be safe,” I yelled as I stepped into the steaming water. It’s not that I minded hanging out with Sara tonight. I hadn’t seen her for a long time so it would be good to catch up. We had been friends for several years and we were just comfortable with each other. We could just be ourselves and let our hair down.

It took me less than twenty minutes to get showered, dressed, and ready for a night out. As security walked me through the stadium and to my waiting car and driver, I tried calling Addison again. I assumed she didn’t hear her phone ring over the party when it went to voicemail again. They could be a rowdy bunch.

Me: Hey. I have to stay in NY overnight. Flight lands at around four-thirty. I’ll stop by for a bit when I get home.

I pressed send as I got in the car and slid to the middle of the back seat. Hopefully I’d catch her before she went to bed, but with the time difference and me being with Sara all night, I had a suspicion I would probably miss her.

I put the thoughts out of my mind when we pulled up to the curb a few blocks away. We were eating at Peter’s, or Pedro’s, or Piedro’s. Hell if I knew. I didn’t make the reservation, I was just along for the ride, supporting Sara on her big night. As I got out of the car, I saw her.

Sara Perez was probably one of the most gorgeous women in America. At roughly 5’ 8”, she was what many considered to be the perfect height. She had light skin for a Hispanic woman, like she had a perfect summer tan all year long. Her long chocolate brown hair fell in waves almost to her rear. And she was curvy in all the right places. On top of all that, she was one of the sweetest people I knew.