Chapter 38: Andi
After several hoursof ecstasy, I finally decide to bite the bullet and check my phone. As feared, the notifications are out of control. It’s going to take me hours to go through all of these.
Brandon snores quietly next to me, his dark hair spilling on the pillow. I push it out of his face so I can see him more clearly. He looks younger without the stress of life on him.
I wish it could always be like this. But the weight of the phone in my hand reminds me that it’s not. Careful not to wake him, I slide out of bed. His robe hangs on the back of the bathroom door, so I help myself to it.
My hair has been thoroughly destroyed. I look in the bathroom mirror. This is definitely the definition of bedhead. Lucky for me, Brandon has a cache of hair products and tools.
I’ve never been with a guy who had this kind of stuff. As I pull out my rubber band, it snaps. Brandon also has hair ties. Not gonna lie, the one he gave me the first time I was here has quickly become one of my favorites. I snag another one and twist it around my hair, now secured in a messy bun on the top of my head.
I creep downstairs and see a coffee pot on the counter. I fill it with grounds and water and set it to brew. Then, I grab a pad of paper from my bag and start taking notes, making a prioritized list of whom I have to contact.
Benj not only texted multiple times but he called too. He very rarely calls, so I know he was worried. He’s my first response.
Me: I’m ok. I have a lot to work through, but I’m fine. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Don’t worry.
He immediately texts back.
Benj: It’s not every day my sister is assaulted on the job on national TV. I’m glad Nix pounded the shit out of him.
Benj doesn’t usually advocate for violence, so this is a surprise. So is his next text.
Benj: Still hate him?
The next set of messages are enough to wipe the smile from my face though. Though not unexpected, I was hoping that the outrageousness of Seamus O’Marra’s conduct toward me would be enough to outweigh the implications of Brandon’s reaction.
It does not appear as if luck was on my side with this one. As I read it, my stomach falls to the floor, and I’m overcome with the most intense desire to vomit. My mouth is dry, and my hands shake. I’m simultaneously cold yet sweating at the same time.
Dear Ms. Nichols,
Please be advised that I have scheduled a meeting with Samuel Fredericks on Tuesday, September 3 in the Atlanta main office to discuss the events of the game between the Miami Wave and the Boston Buzzards on September 1. You may bring your union representative with you.
Nathan Forget
No regards. No fondest wishes. No have a safe trip down here.
Simply come in tomorrow and meet with the president of the USSLRA. And bring a union rep.
That’s probably what’s got me the most scared.
I immediately forward this email to my union people and request someone to attend the meeting with me. I’m not sure how it works, but I hope for my sake whoever they send is good.
I write down on my list:book flight to Atl.
There are multiple requests from news organizations requesting a story or a comment. Those go in the ignore pile for right now.
Hannah texted me.
Hannah: Girl, you okay?
Short, sweet, and to the point.
I like Hannah LaRosa. I also know, from digging around her social media, that she helped Ophelia Henry find the information to exonerate Xavier Henry from whatever bad press he’d received that got him bounced from the British Football League. I should put her on a retainer to help Brandon.
Brandon.
I look around his oak-filled kitchen and put my head in my hands. What was I thinking? Coming here was probably the exact wrong thing to do. Kissing him was bad enough. Now, by sleeping with him, I’ve all but said goodbye to my career.
