Page 97 of In the Safety's Zone
“We negotiated a salary for you of two point one million but with an escalation of six point two million for the year.”
“Another one-year contract?” The numbers were good but again I wanted slightly more security with money. I could easily pay the house off with the salary I had especially if I hit the sixpoint two number this year. I needed to know every target they wanted me to hit in order to reach that number.
“Yep.”
Billy nodded from her seat and I waved for her to elaborate. When she didn’t I had to press for her way of thinking.
“What’s the reasoning behind that?”
“Do you see the leap you just made? From making two thirty to making at minimum two point one.”
“Yeah. I did well on the practice squad and I did good at camp so—”
“That was a training year. I told you last time that we are going to let them play this game and then knock their heads off. I want you to have an incentive to keep working hard and making people eat their words and they need to pay for the privilege of having you on the team.”
Billy’s reasoning was sound and I knew I was being uptight because I wanted to ensure I had everything in order for Aphrodite and me.
I took a deep breath before I reframed my mind and focused on the positives in front of me.
“What are the incentives?”
“A few are easy: making weight. Number of workouts, normal shit. The others, though, are where I think you’ll shine.”
“Go on.”
“The biggest will be on your interceptions and touchdowns.” Isis’ eyes were sparkling but I looked at Billy with a frown but her ass just grinned back at me.
“Touchdowns? Isis, I know you’re Billy’s girl and all—”
“And she wouldn’t hire someone who didn’t know their shit so keep that in mind before you finish what you were going to say.” She checked me quick as fuck without Billy having to defend her and I held up my hands so she knew I was coming in peace.
“I’m just saying, I don’t score touchdowns.”
“You mean to tell me that in the years I’ve watched football I haven’t seen defenses scoring? That I have never watched a pick six happen? Wonder why they made that term if it’s not something they‘d ever seen before.” Isis sarcastically tapped her chin like she was lost in thought.
“You’ve made your point.”
“I’m glad. Now, you’ve got the ability to make over four million dollars in incentives for this year. Combine that with the lack of income tax for the state and you’ve got a substantial income for you and your future.”
“Dang. Buying a house is definitely going to happen before the season starts now.”
Billy looked extremely pleased with that information and I was surprised that Jacoby hadn’t given her the news when he got home from camp. He’d been giving me advice on the house search and said his father’s company could help with any of the work we needed.
“You ball out the way we know you’re going to and yeah, you will need to get out of wherever you are.”
“I appreciate y’all putting this together for me. This is way more than I expected to hear today.”
Isis was grinning as she reached out to shake my hand. “Glad I can be a part of delivering good news to you. You should celebrate it.”
I took her hand but knew I wouldn’t take her advice. “I’ll probably wait until I get that first check in my account before I do anything.”
“Welp, preseason is here so it’s time for you to get that roster spot. You know what’s on the line for you if you do.”
“I’m proud as fuck of you.”
I’d gone straight to Antwan’s telling him about the news Billy had for me. He wanted to celebrate but I was still keeping myself from getting too excited. Choo tossed me a cigar and I told him we’d smoke it after the season. Right now, we were having a drink and grubbing on some food that Grams had. Rye was at work and AP was at treatment so I had a minute before I could tell her what happened.
“You saying that a lot lately.” I watched as he set his drink on the coffee table before turning to me.
