Page 33 of Broken Play
"How's having a female general manager who admittedly knew nothing about football when she took the job?"
I handle the first two questions with ease; my answers have always been truthful. I literally don't understand why they would trade me, but now I'm glad they did. Family and football. But when they ask me about Sutton, I get defensive.
"Sutton Anders is...well, she notices things that most people don't. Like trading for Frank Cozen. None of us understood at first. Believe me, I'm so happy she made the trade. I trust Cozen completely to guard my blind side. That doesn't mean I wasn't upset that Baker and Spader had to be traded in order to get him. But this is a business, and she has great instincts. I just hope she leans on her instincts."
"About football?"
"In general."
Just then, the television on the side wall of the studio shows the same clip of Sutton and Bodhi coming out of a hotel. Hawkes says, "Speaking of Sutton Anders, it looks like she's back with her long-time love, Bodhi Creed."
Irritation bubbles up in my chest, and my jaw aches from biting down so hard. "Sutton's here because her best friend was in a car accident. We flew in together last night, andyes, Bodhi picked her up. All three of them went to the tennis academy together. She's at the hospital, not...whatever these photos seem to suggest." Every single word comes out flat, every syllable deliberate, but I can feel my pulse hammering in my veins.
"According to these still shots, she skipped the hospital and went straight for?—"
"Do you personally know her?" I snap. "You don't. Sutton is one of the most loyal people I've ever met. She's supporting Anna, and I assume Bodhi is too. They're both trying to hold it together until their friend is out of the woods."
Bitterness tastes ugly in my mouth. I've had way too much of it lately between my trade and getting shut down by Sutton.
They switch topics and talk about the last preseason game, which is against New York this weekend.
"Yeah, I'm flying home to Texas later tonight so I can prepare for New York with my team. Frank joined the team today, so I'm anxious to get back and catch up."
One more interview and a commercial shoot take up the rest of the day.
On the tarmac, the plane is fired up and ready, so I pull out my phone, sending flowers to Anna. I scroll social media, where there are plenty of photos suggesting Bodhi and Sutton are back together. The rumor mill is alive and well, and the look in Bodhi's eyes suggests it's real, at least for him.
I ask the captain to give me a few minutes before taking off so I can text Sutton.
Me: Are you coming back to Texas? Or staying in NYC until the game?
A few minutes pass, and she responds.
Sutton: Staying in NYC.
Me: Do you have a hotel room?
Sutton: I do.
Me: How is Anna?
Sutton: Surgery went well. The doctor is coming in now. Have a safe flight. Don't worry about me.
Me: Did you hear the interviews?
Sutton: I'm sorry, I didn't. I have a lot on my mind.
Yeah, Bodhi. And Anna.
Me: I understand. They went well, and as for the razor commercial, well, let's just say they wanted to shave me clean, but I told them I'm a man and I'm keeping my scruff.
She types a laughing emoji.
Bodhi's face is as smooth as a baby's butt, and I can only hope that she likes men with stubble.
Sutton: I'm sure they did. Women can't get enough of you, and men want to be you.
The only woman I want is you, but I leave it at that.
