AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s weird,” I say.
He nods, agreeing.
I order a smoothie, too, and when we get it, we walk to the tables and sit down. The chairs and tables are almost like kiddy’s furniture under our huge figures.
“Ready for your new life?” Rooster asks.
I shrug. “I don’t think I can really prepare myself for what it will be like—I’ve done this my whole adult life. But I’m excited, for the most part. It’s hard leaving it all behind.”
“I can imagine it is. I don’t know how I would feel about it.”
“Luckily, you don’t have to.”
“As long as the team keeps winning, I stay on as coach.”
We sip our smoothies in silence together.
“So, the restaurant business, huh? Darrell mentioned it.” Rooster looks at me over his drink, sucking on the straw.
“Yeah. I’ve always had a passion for food but I can’t cook to save my life.” I chuckle and Rooster grins at me. “I figured a restaurant is a close second. Besides, I might as well ride on the reputation I’ve built for myself. It’s free marketing, so why not?”
“I think it’s a great idea. You worked hard to build a name for yourself, might as well use it.”
I nod. I hope people might flock to a restaurant that belongs to former NFL star Mason Gill. It’s sad to leave the team behind, but I’m going to make the most of what’s to come. Getting into the restaurant business has always been my fallback if I didn’t make it big. I did, but that doesn’t mean I gave up on my dream.
When we finish our smoothies, Rooster and I say our goodbyes. He heads up to start his own training session and I drive to the suburbs.
I knock on Jackson’s door. He opens it, wearing jeans and a t-shirt like I am, ready to go. He gets in my car—he loves my fancy Mercedes and prefers we go in my car if we’re not drinking too much to drive—and runs his hands over the dash like she’s an old lover.
“You should just get one,” I laugh.
“With what money?” Jackson scoffs before he grins. “We’re not all as financially wise as you are.”
“Good way to put it,” I chuckle and start the car. Jackson can afford more with his salary if he’s smart with his money, but he’s a spender.
I drive to Earl’s Pub and park in my usual spot. We’re regulars here and when we walk in, Johnny behind the bar waves at us. We find a table next to a window and a moment later, Johnny himself brings us two beers.
“Shooters, boys?” he asks.
We both shake our heads. “Just beer for today.” It won’t be a wild one.
“Beer after gym,” Jackson says after Johnny leaves. “I’m starting to like retired Mason.”
“Almost retired,” I correct him.
“Same thing, you’re not playing more games.”
He’s right—a press release is all that’s needed to make my retirement official, but I’m not going to do that just yet.
“I think I can get used to this after a very strict lifestyle for so many years.”
“I’ll say,” Jackson says. “To freedom.” He clinks his beer bottle against mine.
I nod and we drink to it.
“You don’t look as happy about it as I thought you would,” Jackson points out when I look out of the window. “Do you regret it?”
“No, I don’t. I want to start a new chapter. It’s time.”
