Chapter 37
What I do
Bentley
I find Zah sitting on the couch in her little office. I walk over with my tablet in my hand and place my free hand on her shoulder. She looks up from her laptop and smiles.
I gesture with my head for her to scoot out of the way so I can climb behind her to sit with her. She makes room for me, and I settle into place. I’ve been going through the new playbook and some film Coach wants me to look over.
“Where’s Aaron?” I ask as she gets comfortable between my legs with her back pressed against my chest.
“Tara and Eddy came by to pick him up. Something about a movie date. Code for they and your mother want to spoil him some more and my mom most likely will be there to help,” she laughs.
I join her laughter as I glance at her computer screen. She has a few tabs open to what look like bank accounts and social media dashboards. Seeing the balance in the accounts, my brows shoot up.
“What are you up to?”
“Just looking through my finances to see what’s happening and trying to figure out my next pivot. The travel vlogs are drying up without new content.
“It’s not as easy to up and go with a baby. I had enough in the bank to take a break after having Aaron, but I think it’s time I get back at it. Not travel vlogging, but I need to find something else to do to keep my income flowing,” she replies.
“Wait, that’s from your vlogs?”
“Yeah, my channels were pretty popular. I did well for myself.”
I snort. “Well for yourself? Baby, I’m taking Aaron, and I want child support. I can stop punishing my body,” I tease.
“Ha, you’re not even built like that.” She laughs.
“Have you thought about getting back into sports?”
“Sometimes. The stats on sports channels have been enticing. I would love to start a sports podcast. I just haven’t come up with an angle or concept yet.”
“How about a podcast with your professional QB boyfriend? We could name it something corny but catchy, like Running the Touchdown. We could give advice on how to stay in a competitive space, working through the challenges of injuries, tell old college competition stories. I don’t know, we can brainstorm a bunch of shit,” I offer.
“Really? Do you have time for that?”
“I’ll make time. You can work with Sarah to sync our schedules. It will be fun.”
“You know, I wasn’t sure about her when I first met her. She’s growing on me though.”
I kiss the top of her head. I’ve noticed that the two have been cautious around each other. I trust Sarah. Garret trusts her too.
Give it some time, I think the two will be good friends. Sarah already knows Zah and my son come first. She’s not going to do anything to ruin this for me.
“What makes you say that?”
“She didn’t give off vibes like she wanted me around in Vegas,” she says.
“I think she was being protective of me. We’ve developed a brother-sister relationship over the years. I’m glad Garret brought her onto the team.”
“Why a female? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“I had a male first. One of the tasks I ask of my assistant is to keep the groupies away and make sure no one breaches security to hide in my hotel rooms and shit like that. Dude was allowing girls to get right by him in hopes he could get the leftovers when I turned them down.
“He was a liability. I fired him and told Garret to find someone who could do the job properly. That’s when he found Sarah. She’s been with me ever since. Never a problem out of her.”
“That makes sense. I’m glad Garret has been there for you. Sounds like he’s really had your back.”
“He has. So, Running the Touchdown? You and me, a podcast?”
“I like the name, by the way. Let me do some research and think about it. I’ll have my people call your people.”
I laugh. “Or you could be a stay-at-home mom. That way, you can sit on that fortune you have there, and I’ll handle everything you need.
“I’ve been meaning to add you to my accounts. We can log in and see if we can do that now. Take all the time you want on what you want to do next.”
“Now that sounds like the Bentley Coswell I know. Child support,” she snorts and laughs at my earlier joke.
She cranes her neck to look back at me and pulls a face. I lean in and capture her lips. She and Aaron are already set for life, even if she didn’t have all that money of her own.
My little family will never want for anything. However, I have to admit, I love the idea of us having a podcast together. I think it’s going to be fun.
Zahirah
Standing in the kitchen, the aroma of sautéing onions and peppers fills the air. I’m getting dinner ready for tonight. I’ve been in my thoughts all day after Bentley offered to start a podcast with me.
I love the idea. It’s pure gold. The only reason I didn’t say yes right away is because I don’t want to do anything that will cause conflict in our relationship.
Couples who open their lives to social media usually open themselves up to a whole lot of madness. People feel entitled to the details of their lives. I don’t know if I want that.
“You’ve been lost in thought since I arrived here. What’s going on with you?” Erica asks from her perch at the kitchen island.
She dropped in as Bentley was heading out to the gym. It feels like forever since the last time the two of us hung out. Although I know it was sometime last week.
“Just thinking about a talk I had with your brother.”
She groans. “What did Big Head do now? Do I need to kick his ass?”
I laugh and shake my head. I love how hard Erica is always willing to go for me. It warms my heart to know she always has my back, no matter what.
“No. He didn’t do anything bad. He actually made a really sweet offer.”
“Oh yeah? Is he trying to knock you up again?”
I snort and roll my eyes. “Not that kind of offer. I think it’s time I get back to work. I was thinking about my options since I’m not going to be traveling like I used to anytime soon. Bent offered to do a sports podcast with me.”
Her face lights up and I can feel the excitement that bursts from her. I think I felt the same way when he made me the offer. I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s such an amazing and thoughtful offer—I’m still a little stunned.
“Oh my God. I would freaking love that. You two can be so funny to listen to at times and your chemistry is amazing.
“I think that’s a great idea. What’s holding you back? I would totally come on to produce the show if you guys need help,” she gushes.
I have to admit, her excitement is making me more excited about the idea. I’m truly considering whether we should and could pull this off.
However, I pump my brakes as my reasons for being reluctant begin to push their way to the surface. I have to remain grounded when it comes to the repercussions that could come from this. Our real lives come first and so does our son.
“I don’t know. Look at all the content creators who have been couples. It rarely ends well for their relationships.
“How do we do this and not risk our relationship? Let’s be honest, Bentley Coswell is a huge household name. This is going to blow up if we do this.”
“All the more reason to do it,” Erica says as she looks at me pointedly.
“I love him for making the offer, but will it work out? The last thing we need is more drama. I don’t want to lose any more time with him.”
Erica sighs and combs her hand through the front of her hair. She takes a moment as if she’s thinking over what I’ve said. I begin to add the meat to the pan with the onions and peppers as I wait for her to say what’s on her mind.
“First, since when do you ever do anything scared? Second, the way my brother loves you, that podcast would be canceled and forgotten before you could think about packing your bags or breaking up with him.
“Besides, you have me. I’m not allowing some trolls who don’t know a thing about my brother or my bestie to break them up with comments, DMs, or gossip-rag bullshit. Do the podcast, Zah.
“Fuck them people. Get your money and allow my brother to do something totally cute and romantic for you. So what’s our new podcast called?”
I laugh and smile at her. She’s made a ton of good points. I do want to do this.
“He suggested Running the Touchdown. So stinking cute if you ask me,” I say excitedly.
“Oh, I love that.” She clicks away at her phone for a few moments then looks up at me and smiles. “Done, I bought the domain name. Let’s get this thing started.”
I clap my hands and lift my shoulders to my ears happily. This is really happening. I’m going to start a podcast with Bentley Coswell.
We’ll have something new to build together. I already have so many ideas. This is going to be awesome.
I love my life.