30. Eden
EDEN
When I text with Connor about his big news Wednesday afternoon, I take it as a sign. Time to make my own situation official.
Sitting down in front of my computer, I log on to the central medical application portal and go one by one through the schools.
“Withdraw application.”
“Withdraw application.”
“Withdraw application.”
…....
Through all twenty schools.
Oh my God. It’s done.
I’d already been at peace with the decision, but now a new emotion rises. Pride. I took ownership of this crossroads, and I followed through on my choice.
Sitting with the moment for a beat, joy comes into play too.
Because not only do I know what I’m not going to do, I’ve decided what I want as well.
Picking up my phone, I type out a new email.
Hi Milo and Grace, could we schedule a meeting for this week? I’d like to start talking about my post-college plans in more detail.
Pressing send, I vault myself into my future.
The little extra time added back in my schedule with med school applications off the table gets applied to my “homework” from Bree.
In the first book she gave me, a young professor and his teaching assistant secretly start having “scenes” together after running into each other at a sex club. Their activities escalate to the point where he has her wear a vibrator during his classes that only he controls.
“I decide if you come or not today, Victoria,” he says to her. “Only me. And you better pay attention to every single word I say in my lecture, or I’ll prolong the lesson. But you will, right? Because you’re my good girl?”
Hot.
In the second book, a single mom is forced to marry a mafioso to pay off her ex’s debts—fast forward to the part where he introduces her to his mansion’s red room, and they both fall in heavy lust with each other.
Eventually he declares his love for “my wife” when she almost dies in an attack on him.
The scenarios may be hard to relate to Connor and me, but I’m thoroughly into the spice scenes.
The way the man takes over all decisions.
The way the woman is freed of expectations beyond his commands.
The way he cherishes her during and after.
There are plenty of differences between the stories–the orgasm denial laced throughout the first book isn’t in the mafia one, for instance. It makes me curious to learn more about all the potential dynamics, and I start digging into articles and websites that come up in basic online searches.
“I’m finished with these,” I say to her on Friday morning, as I place the two borrowed books on the coffee table.
“And?”
“You’re onto something, I’ll admit.” I don’t expand on that because honestly, I’m not sure where my own boundaries are.
“So are you going to talk to Connor about the whole thing…”
“I think I will. I mean, it’s not exactly a normal second date topic? ‘Hi, do you think you’re into being a Dom? Great, because I think I might want to be your sub.’”
Bree giggles. “I’m sorry for laughing. Lordy, yep, that’s…awkward.”
“Yeah, so it’s a big fat ‘I don’t know’ right now.”
“You really like him, though?”
“There’s something about him, yes. Beyond this aspect. I feel really comfortable with him, like I can tell him anything.”
“That’s great. So see how it goes. Maybe…”
“What?”
“Maybe you should bring the books with you? It could be easier to bring up the topic with props.”
“Like, hey, I was reading this book and noticed some things…”
“Exactly.”
I shrug. “I’ll take it under advisement.”
Her snicker in response is interrupted by a ring on her phone.
“Oh, it’s my dad.”
I half listen as she greets him and reports on her classes. Scrolling through my Instagram account, I like several posts by my past and present teammates from national squads.
Then Bree’s voice carries me back to her conversation. “Funny you should ask, Dad. She’s right here. Let me put you on speaker.”
She waves me closer as she puts the phone on the table.
“Hey, Nick.” I look quizzically at Bree. I’ve known her family for years, and her parents were home a few of the times I stayed at their house. But I’ve never been part of a phone call with one of them.
“Hello, Eden. You must be getting excited about figuring out where you’ll play next year? You’ll have your pick of teams, I imagine.” He’s being nice—there are many superstar strikers in the NWSL.
“I’m hoping we may even land on the same one,” Bree adds.
“Roomies for life,” I joke.
“Exactly. Unless that new man of yours works out.” She waggles her brows, and Nick clears his throat over the speaker. “Whoops, sorry, Dad.”
“I’ll pretend I never heard that. But one thing, Eden, real quick?”
“Sure.”
“For your NIL deal with Triumph, we’re going to send an updated proposal, extending it into the spring. There’s a new line we’d like you to be a part of.”
Huh, that’s after my season is done, after my college career is done.
“I’ll definitely look it over. Thanks, Nick.” Or more specifically, I’ll have the SLP team review it.
“We want to keep our relationship close, for the long term.” Bree and I look at each other—we’re not allowed to enter into full-blown endorsement deals if we want to stay eligible with the NCAA.
What her dad just said is as close a suggestion that an offer will be waiting for me once I go pro, however.
Rolling her eyes, she cuts him off. “Enough business, Dad. Please tell Mom I’ll call her in a little bit.”
“Sounds good, Bee.” Bee–her family nickname that stuck after her little sister couldn’t pronounce the “r” as a toddler.
“Bye.” She hangs up and shakes her head. “Sorry about that.”
“No worries.”
“We got an email this morning about the Tolliver fundraising dinner they want us to attend. Have you seen it?”
“Nope, been actively avoiding emails today.” In truth, I was deep into the mafia book, wanting to see how it ended.
She snorts. “Get that. It announced that Rori Reilly will be the keynote speaker. Apparently, her dad is an alumnus who raises a lot of money for the school.”
Um, Landon’s girlfriend? Could the world be any smaller?
Bree wags her eyebrows. “All roads lead to the Battles, huh?”
Seriously.
I debate texting Connor to tell him about the coincidence, but we’re already going on our date tomorrow, so I decide to tell him then.
“I need to write my speech for the dinner…eventually.” Ugh, I had been actively ignoring that task. SLP’s amazing at organizing my schedule and managing requests, but there are some things I still must do myself.
“Better you than me…” She chuckles. I’m the only one “blessed” by the request to speak.
I pull out my phone and add writing my speech to the note with my to-do list. Which lets me see all the homework I need to do today, not to mention a reminder to film some content for Feetlix.
My meeting with Milo and Grace is also this afternoon, so I better get cracking on this list.
“I’m going to step outside and take some video for Feetlix.”
“Cool, I’m caffeinating and then tackling some reading.”
After grabbing the package with the newest shoes they shipped me, I head to a large patch of grass on the side of the dorm that’s perfect for filming. Five minutes later, my phone on a little stand, the new shoes on my feet, I start the camera on my phone.
I haven’t done my hair or makeup—but neat trick, I’ll film from the knee down so I can avoid all that. One of the benefits of my Feetlix arrangement.
After I shoot the first cut, I switch the angles of the stand and play with different movements and walks until I’m satisfied I have enough options to work with.
Fast forward another forty minutes, and I think I’ve edited the video in a way they’ll like.
But I have to send it in for approval before I post it, so that’s what I do next, adding the proposed caption, “Never stop moving my Feetlix.”
Phew.
Now it’s time to leave for my meeting with Milo and Grace.
Never a dull moment.
Though, the SLP meeting is one task I’m truly excited for. A leap forward to forging the future I want, not just treading through what I have to manage today.
Once I get to their office and we’re situated in a conference room, I make my intentions clear.
“I’d like to begin planning for my transition to the NWSL after my college season, as well as endorsements and anything else you recommend for once I go pro.”
Milo claps his hands together. “I’m so happy to hear it. This is the perfect time to get organized. In two months, the NCAA championships will be over, and then you’ll have your future to focus on.”
“What would you recommend?”
“A first step would be to confirm that this is what you intend. Something public. So you make a buzz, and teams can weigh whether they’ll want to pursue an offer once allowed to. Whether to leave a spot open for you in their planning.”
Grace speaks up next. “The woman who runs the SoccerQueens page, Yelena—she’s asking for an interview with Eden. What about her? Or should it be with an official media source?”
Milo taps his fingers on the desk. “No, that’s ideal. Everyone follows SoccerQueens, and the social media impact will be higher. Any brands paying attention will love that.”
“I’m game.” SoccerQueens largely focuses on USWNT or NWSL players and events, with NCAA content rarer. The request is flattering.
“By the way, we should have mentioned this at the outset, but Connor’s taking a leave to join the Waves—did your dad mention that to you yet?” Grace asks.
I can’t exactly say Connor told me, so I nod. A harmless white lie.
“I’ll be the second person on your account now, along with Milo. As long as that’s alright with you.”
Other than the fact that she’s another Battle sibling we’re keeping the truth from, I’m glad it’s her. “Definitely. You already know my deals and everything.”
“Exactly. It’ll be perfect,” Milo responds.
“I’ll be able to hire an agent once the NCAA season is over, and get the conversations going with pro teams.” I look at Grace. “Dad always used the same person as your family.”
“Aiden.” I only know of the overlap because he came to the house when Dad was assessing retirement, and they’d joked about him repping so much of the team.
“Yeah, but I wasn’t sure if he works with soccer players or has experience with the NWSL?”
Milo is the one who responds. “He does. I have several management clients who he represents. He would be an excellent choice.”
“Yeah, Johnson and my brothers like working with him. They have nothing but good things to say.”
“Dad too. Okay, perfect, so I’ll connect with him in a couple of months.”
By the time I leave, we’ve updated my financial and professional plans for the next three years.
I’m excited to embrace the future to come, without any more uncertainty.
Next up for my Friday evening—a boatload of homework I never started today, and debating one question about which uncertainty is still very present.
Should I talk to Connor about my suspicions during our date tomorrow?