Or I can do what he says. I can save my career by posting whichever teammates come to the resort. I don’thaveto include Archer in that, despite what Diedrick is telling me to do.
I know it’s wrong. I hate the very idea of it.
But I’m also pretty sure it’s my only choice.
CHAPTER 35: Millie Monroe
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“What did he say to you?” Archer asks.
I blow out a breath. Maybe I should just be honest.He wants me to feature you. What do you say?
Somehow I don’t see that conversation going in my favor.
Diedrick mentioned the other baseball players that are coming in to surprise Archer. I wonder when they’re getting here.
I wonder how much more time Archer and I really have.
Is it better to end this now instead of falling in deeper over the next week? It’s going to end either way. Why not save myself even more pain and heartache?
Because I can’t end it early. I’m addicted to him.
I’ll deal with the pain when I get there.
And so I don’t say anything. “He needs long-form content. He needs me to go live more. I’m not putting inenough effort, and he’s going to blackball me in this industry if I don’t pick things up. But if I do, then there are paid partnership opportunities on the table. So I guess I need to get to work.”
He presses his lips together and nods. It’s almost like he wants to ask if he can help, but he stops himself. “I’ve got some more foundation stuff to tackle anyway.”
We sit together, at least—he works on his things while I work on mine. It’s an easy silence, but I hate that we’re both putting our focus into something aside from each other when our time left together is so short.
I take some video of my room in the main tower a couple days later. It’s a Sunday, and tomorrow is Archer’s birthday. It’s also the twenty-sixth. It means we only have a few days left. We leave Friday.
I checked the Heat’s schedule.
They’re probably coming in sometime today. They had a three-game series in Miami that ended with a game this afternoon, and they play again Tuesday in Vegas. So they came here for their one day off—to see their teammate. To support him while he’s suspended.
The network he has is amazing, even if he doesn’t realize or acknowledge that fact.
And what do I have back home? Chip and Jackie, who are having a baby.
My bartending job.
My parents, who don’t believe in me.
And…that’s about it these days.
I’m on my way back to Archer’s room after taking pictures. The key to his room is in my pocket. He had Clive get me one a few days ago, and it’s been nice having the flexibility of coming and going when I want. I even checked out the nightclub a few days ago.
On my way back, I walk right by the pool. That’s when I see them.
Cooper Noah, Danny Brewer, and AJ Winters are walking toward the cabanas with Archer in tow.
Oh my God.
Danny Brewer is here! And Cooper Noah! You don’t have to be a baseball fan to know those names. They’re honest-to-God celebrities. Household names. And they’re here.
With the guy I’ve been either fucking or fighting with for the last three weeks.
