His name is not on a single one.
He didn’t give me enough credit to ever want to take control of this. Maybe he didn’t think I was smart enough. Doesn’t matter. I must be the luckiest son of a bitch alive. First Andi and then this.
Now it’s time to change my passwords.
––––––––
IT TAKES ME ALL DAYand several calls, but I’ve done it. I’ve talked with the financial advisor who is now aware that Nicholas Nix will no longer be acting on my behalf. Based on the shape my accounts are in, I’d say my financial advisor is doing a bang-up job, so I keep everything where it is.
Now it’s time for the hardest phone call of all.
“Hey, Dad.”
There’s silence on the line. He’s still there, just giving me the silent treatment.
“So, I’m not playing with the Boston Buzzards anymore.”
“You’re going to be a hard sell anywhere at this point. No one wants someone like you.”
Andi wants me.
“Well, I guess it’s good for me that I don’t want to play soccer right now.”
“You’re just saying that. In two days you’ll be regretting it. I’ll have to act quickly, but maybe the Baltimore Terrors are sketchy enough to take you on amidst all the controversy.”
No doubt about it, I’m going to have to find another therapist ASAP. There’s so much here to unpack.
“I told you, I’m done playing soccer.”
“What do you think you’re going to do? You have no other skills. And it’s not like you have endorsements to fall back on.”
Suddenly my lack of endorsement deals seems totally clear. I thought my dad wanted to keep as much money for himself as he could. In reality, he thought it was an ace up his sleeve. One he’d play—like he is right now—when he needed to control me.
“I dunno what I’m going to do. Maybe I’ll go play football. I’ve always wanted to do that. I’ll figure it out. All I know is I’ll be doing it without you. You’re officially fired as my agent. I’ve sent you an email with the details of your termination. Have a nice life, Dad. I certainly plan to.”
I disconnect and then promptly block him.
It feels amazing.
I shoot Andi a text message.
Me: Thinking about you. Hope everything is going well for you. I’ve got amazing news on my end, if you want to hear it. If not, no worries.
She promptly texts back.
Andi: Of course I want to hear your news, but I’m just about to take off for Atlanta. I need to do a bunch of research for my meeting and pre-game with James. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re a distraction.
I smile at this.
Me: In a good way or a bad way?
Andi: In the best way. I’ll call you when I have an update. I can’t wait to hear your news.
I’m tempted to keep texting, but she said in black and white that she has work to do. I can respect that.
Without anything else to distract me, I replay the conversation with my father in my head. He’s right. I have nothing to do. Except one thought bounces around my brain, refusing to stop. Refusing to quiet. Refusing to let me think of anything else.
It’s a stupid idea.
