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My phone beeped with an incoming call. My watch showed my agent’s name. “Bobby, I gotta call you back. It’s Candace.”
“Oh, shit. I hope it’s good news, bro.”
“You and me both. I’ll let you know.”
I swiped to the other call and headed into my kitchen to grab a water. I needed to be on my feet for this call so I could pace if it went sideways.
“Hey, Candace. What’s up?”
“Hey, Kyle, I wish I had better news.” That’s all it took for me to start walking between the living room, kitchen, and bedroom. “I just had an exploratory call with the Phoenix front office. I’d say it’s all but done at this point since they talked to me about contract terms. I wanted to let you know before anything made it into the press.”
“Shit.” I barely heard myself say it. I couldn’t even muster anger at this point.
“I’m sorry, Kyle. I wish we had some control over it. I’ll work to get you the best trade deal possible. I could try to make some noise to hold it up, but I’ll be honest, I don’t think you want that on your reputation. You’re known as an easy-going player, doing what you need to do, supporting the team. In this case, you’d be doing the right thing for Detroit by exiting gracefully and being the guy Phoenix wants by coming in without a fuss.”
Candace knew me well. Part of me wanted to rant, scream, and cry foul. She’d listen if I did that. Tantrums weren’t really who I was though.
“What do you think we’re looking at in terms of time? Are they gonna run up to the trade deadline or make it sooner?”
Despite asking, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. The trade deadline was weeks away, and if they were talking to Candace, I couldn’t imagine either side waiting long.
“I expect sooner.” Her computer chimed, and she clicked keys. “You going to be okay?”
“Yeah. I kinda have to be.”
“Look, I know the timing’s bad since you’ve got the new guy in your life.” Of course Candace paid attention to my social when I dropped that kind of news. “If there’s anything I can help with, let me know.”
“I appreciate that. I’ve tried to make peace with it. Mom’s prepared if I have to make a quick move. And Austin… Well, he’s at least aware of the possibility. I’m doing my best not to worry about any of it.”
“All right. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks, Candace. We’ll talk soon.”
“Bye, Kyle.”
She disconnected the call faster than I did. The universe didn’t like me. Just as things started to click with Austin after last night a move looked even closer than before.
But last night…
We’d discovered that we spooned great, fitting perfectly without even really thinking about it. We’d left my house early this morning—I had to take him back to pick up his car so he could go home and get ready for work as I headed for practice.
We planned to hang out again tonight, but this time at his place to mix it up.
“What’s the word?” Bobby got right to it as he answered my call back.
I relayed what Candace told me.
“I’m so sorry. I know it’s not…”
“But I gotta buck up and deal with it. I can’t jeopardize my career over it.”
“What have you done with my brother?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I deadpanned, imagining the look he’d level on me if we were face-to-face. “Look, I know how I’ve been about commitment to home and family, but you and Mom have worked to get me out of that. Frankly, being with Austin has helped that too. I can’t create something new if I’m obsessed over some outdated, misplaced commitment. I’m trying to act my age instead of like an eight-year-old.”
“Good for you.” He meant it too. We both knew how to throw around bravado, but we also had our sincere voices, and that’s what Bobby gave me. “What’s Austin think about…”
“He knows. We haven’t talked much about what it means.” I sighed long and hard. “You know, maybe this is a sign I shouldn’t be doing this with him.”
