Page 30 of Protect Home
“Jim has been trying to get ahold of you. What’s been making you so…unreachable, Graves?”
I shrug, choosing not to engage. “Not a clue.”
Let’s see how long I can play this off. He doesn’t know the extent of my contract with Life Space, and the less he knows, the better. I think I can count on Roderick to keep quiet.
“How about I tell you what I do know?” It’s a statement, not a question.
“Go for it.” I smile, kicking back in the chair, arms folded across my chest.
Coach shakes his head, giving his pen a few taps against the wooden desk before telling me just how badly I fucked up. “Is there a reason you aren’t holding up your end of the contract? Do you have any idea how big a company Life Space is, Graves?”
“Your career is riding on this, boy,” Roderick finally chimes in, and I cast him a sneer. Now he wants to speak? Still trying to figure out why I need the guy anyway.
I nod to Jack, refusing to cower. “I do.”
“Then why the hell are you not taking it seriously?”
Because I find it extremely difficult to give a shit about things that don’t matter.
“Which part?”
He flips his hat and rocks in his chair leisurely. “His main concern is your content. Or should I say, lack thereof?”
Yep, I knew that was coming.
If there’s one area I lack in, it’s the social media side ofbeing a professional athlete. I don’t see the fucking point. Why waste hours of my life away staring at a screen when I could be hitting fastballs, hiking, running triathlons, or even skydiving? The options are endless.
Taking photos of myself and posting them for the world to see is the last thing I want to do. It’s the farthest thing from what feels like me.
Again…what’s the fucking point?
I run my fingers across the shape of my mustache, an act I’ve found I do when I’m lost in thought. “I’ll be honest, Coach. I don’t have a good excuse other than I hate social media. I barely know how to use my phone.” I hold it in the air for good measure.
“Graves, this is the twenty-first century. You don’t have a choice but to keep up with the times. Especially when it comes to an endorsement as big as Life Space. Your career is riding on this.”
“Fuck. I know. I’m sorry, man. I’ll get it together. Figure something out,” I stammer, knowing I have my work cut out for me.
“You better. Jim made it clear he expects to see engagement and activity rise within the next eight months. You have most of the season to prove yourself. They can only tolerate so much for so long.”
“What does he expect me to do? Take photos of every second of my life and post about it?” I ask him. “I’ll never have an ounce of privacy at that point.”
“That’s exactly what your contract says. So yes. Think outside of the box and remember you signed up for this life.” He gestures around him, signifying the wealth and recognition that comes with playing pro ball. “You don’t have to show everything. Just what you think your fans would want to see. This is not a contract you want to beforced to buy yourself out of. They’re the biggest in the lifestyle industry and worth keeping around.”
I nod, feeling an unavoidable dread wash over me. It looks like I don’t have much of a choice but to comply. They might not like what I come up with on my own, though. Hating social media isn’t the only reason my accounts are ghosted.
“If that doesn’t persuade you, maybe this will,” he offers, and my head perks up, hoping for a little bit of hope. “Life Space has offered you six full-ride college scholarships at the end of the eight months if you keep your end of the deal. Redeemable at any time. No expiration date.”
I pause. “What do I need six scholarships for, Coach?”
A small smile creeps across his face. “One for each of your siblings, Gus.”
What…they would do that? Did I just catch a smile on Roderick’s face?
There are no words to explain adequately how grateful I feel. To know my little brothers and sisters will have a guaranteed bright future ahead of them after high school. A guaranteed chance at a better life.
There’s nothing more important to me than that. No status. No recognition. Nothing. They deserve the best of the best, and I’m going to give them that.
Even if I hate every second of it.
