I nod. “Yes, Coach. I understand.”
“Do you?” He asks sternly, “They’ll be coming after her ten times harder too. Not just the media, but the fans, the organization, and your teammates. She just became the reason we lost the season, if it comes to that.”
“You can’t be serious -”
He grabs my shoulder, cutting me off. “People will jump to extreme places if it gives them a reason to place the blame somewhere convenient. I love this franchise, and I want it to succeed, but I love you, too. I just want you to be happy, alright?”
“Alright,” I answer, taken aback by his sudden show of affection. Tapping me lightly across the face, he saunters off, leaving me in a whirlpool of emotions. Coach is never that affectionate, especially not when the integrity of the team is in question.
Mae has crossed my mind many times over the past two weeks, but never once while at practice or during a play on the field. I take a breath, recentering myself. I love football; it’s all I’ve ever known, but I know I already feel deeply for Mae, too. I can compartmentalize; I’ve always been good at locking down on important game days.
I’m a professional; this can work.
Chapter 10
Mae
THE TIME BEFORE A set can be the most lonely part of being a performer, at least for me. On the one hand, time to decompress and focus is necessary. On the other, being locked away in little rooms without the support of those you love most can be isolating.
As if Wyatt has heard my plea to the universe from across the city, a text lights up my phone.
Wyatt:On our way. We might miss a song or two. Sorry.
Mae:No worries. Text Dalton when you get here, he’ll get you to your seats.
My phone buzzes again, but I can’t answer because Raleigh has bombarded her way inside and taken over. She starts cleaning up my mess of hair pieces and makeup off the vanity and kicks my suitcase into a closet.
“Is there a reason for the invasion?” I ask, staring her down with narrowed eyes. She trots to my side and removes thecurlers in my hair before forcing me down into a chair to finish preparing my makeup.
“The League has representatives here,” she hisses as she pulls mascara from my bag and shoves it into my hand.
“What on Earth for? Are they here to threaten me to back off their golden boy?” I say it with a smirk. I know damn well I have Wyatt and the whole organization wrapped around my finger.
“Get your boots on and get ready ...” Raleigh gathers her gimbal from her bag, signaling an upcoming social media-worthy moment.
“Oh, this is going to be a whole thing?” I laugh and slip my feet into my favorite pair of boots before following her out the door. “Should Angela be here?”
Stopping briefly at the door, she looks back, and answers, “No lawyer needed. Angela got the contract this morning; she gave her blessing.” I nod and am instantly at ease.
My lawyer and rock, Angela Merces, has been on my legal team since the very beginning. From the trailer park down the road from me, Angela worked her way out and contacted me when she was still in law school, wondering if I’d let her work for me. Young and still angry at the world for what it could do to trailer park trash like us, I hired her without any sort of vetting. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have my gut to thank for that, too.
As I finish my pink lips, the commissioner of the entire football league enters the room to shake my hand and offer me an opportunity to sing the national anthem at the game tomorrow. In an absolute bombshell announcement, they also offer me a guest spot at the halftime show of their championship alongside my idol, Emmy Tenny. It’s all clearly a publicity stunt, but I don’t think I mind. It’s another item I can check off my extremely long professional bucket list. To be able to check offthat item withThe Queen of the Silver Dollarherself just adds more reasons to say yes without question.
I smile and shake his hand; no fuss necessary. There’s a photo taken, and then the posse of league representatives moseys back toward the arena.
Raleigh posts it, and it blows up immediately. Taking a peek at the post before it’s my time to hit the stage, I scroll through the comments briefly.
@ChrissaMayes:This is really happening. They’ve finally convinced me to watch a game.
@MaeEvansFan89:Someone explain this to me in anything but football terms. Thanks.
@EmmyTennyOfficialExcited to work with you!
@LivLaughLoveMAEEVANS:Okay but gurrrl what are we going to do about your fit?
@WyattLucasyou got an extra jersey for your woman?
Laughing, I click on the comment to see the responses and find that Wyatt has already responded.
