4
VALENTINA
Me: Hi Carrigan! Do you have time to talk?
Carrigan: Uh, can I call you a little later? I’m kinda busy.
Me: Of course. I’m so excited to hear about your date.
Carrigan: Sure.
N ico Loving is going to send me to the nuthouse where I will live out my days in a padded cell.
Day one of project Make Nico Respectable started out well enough. I had three women for him to get to know and hopefully, pick one to go on this journey with him. The ladies all knew this was a temporary situation and agreed fully to it.
The rules were simple. Show affection in public –holding hands, hugging, smiles of adoration– but under no circumstances were they to sleep with him.
And Nico was under strict rules of the same, except we extended it to no sleeping with women period .
At least for the first couple months of the season.
Once he looked like the nice young man that any woman would want to take home to meet the parents, they would be free to explore their relationship further.
But the point of this “exercise” is to calm his philandering ways.
I expect that, by the time a few months have passed of spending time with one woman, he’ll start to see that a monogamous, tame relationship is what he needed all along.
After meeting and speaking with the women, he chose the one he felt was most compatible.
“So…what do you think?” We sat in my office after the last girl left, their profiles laid out on the table in front of us.
Nico studied each photo along with notes I had made with my personal opinion. He slid the papers around then placed his finger on one and pushed it forward.
“This one. She’s pretty enough, and I think she could talk about more than just herself.”
I picked up the picture of the busty blonde, Carrigan, that I knew would grab his attention.
However, I didn’t pick her just because she had the features that a man of twenty-two may gravitate towards.
Carrigan is a first year Ph.D student in cancer biology as she works towards her end goal of cancer researcher.
Being a dedicated student means her party nights are behind her.
She spends her days studying and her evenings attending charity events to further her standing in the cancer research community, or doing things like going to sporting events, tame dinner with friends, or easy-going nights at home.
There is no chance of finding her at a wild and rowdy party where nudity is a possibility.
Especially with Nico, since that seems to be his forté.
He phoned Carrigan and asked her out for dinner at an elegant Italian restaurant, and I tipped off a few reporters who would catch him in action.
Like a gentleman, he picked her up from her apartment, gifted her a lovely bouquet of flowers –that I picked out– and did the whole hand on lower back as he escorted her into the restaurant.
Just as I had hoped, cameras flashed and pictures of the two of them were posted on social media sites along with online articles, talking about the new woman in the star receiver's life. Her resumé is impressive, and I was correct in assuming it would make for good press.
When I followed up with Carrigan the next afternoon, I was not prepared for what she told me.
“So…how did it go? Did you and Nico fare well?” My smile was wide with hope that a match was made and stage two of my plan would be set into motion.
“It was nice. We had a very pleasant evening.” The tone of her voice had my hackles standing on end.
“Was he disrespectful? Did he do or say something?” Thoughts swirled through my head, picturing him proposing something crude.
“No no. Not at all. He was so nice and funny and we really did have a wonderful time.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem? I can tell something happened.”
She cleared her throat and with a whisper said, “I didn’t exactly follow the rules.”
“Please no, Carrigan.”
“I’m sorry. But I couldn’t help myself. He’s so charming and convincing and sexy . I don’t think even the strongest woman could turn him down. It’s impossible, Val.”
I sighed, disappointed in both of them, then dismissed her of her duties. I ripped up the profiles of the other ladies because if this woman of structure and dedication couldn’t turn him down, I had little hope for the others.
The paper in my notebook gets crumpled up and tossed into my wastebasket. I can’t proceed with the plan as is, so it’s back to the drawing board.
Noting the time on my watch, I decide to pay him a little visit before practice ends.
My car’s engine purrs, soothing my frayed nerves, and I peel out of the parking garage, zipping through the streets of downtown Houston.
I may need to up my dosage of Xanax after I’m done with Nic. I don’t think I’d look good in a straight jacket.
Whistles blare and the sound of crashing helmets saturate the summer air. Men gruntand coaches yell, and I watch from the sidelines.
After shaking hands with Monty and William days ago, I was handed an all access pass, allowing me to go and come to every Drillers facility. Monty wanted all three men to be available to me at all times. Nico is a top priority and my presence is a necessity.
My white heeled sandals sink into the plush grass of the practice facility, and the sun beats down on my face. My oversized sunglasses shield my eyes, but the bright rays still break through.
The brightly colored summer suit I wear catches the eyes of a few players, and the intensity slows down.
Men's heads turn and a murmur falls over them, no doubt wondering who I am.
I search for William and spot him just as he sees me.
We wave at each other, then he blows his whistle twice in rapid succession.
Every player turns their attention to him as he instructs them to take a water break. They begin jogging off the field, a couple throwing a second glance my way. That’s when I see him. The new bane of my existence. It’s only been a few days and already I’m annoyed with the kid.
Coach begins crossing the field and before Nico can run off, he grabs him by the bicep and pulls him along. He trips on his feet trying to turn around while being hauled backwards, buthe manages to recover. The helmet is pulled from his head and I have to catch my breath.
Sweat drips down his face, his neck and I’m assuming down his chest because little streams flow over his ripped abs like water over river rocks.
His jersey is cut practically in half, exposing his taut stomach.
I let my eyes trail down, admiring his sculpted thighs and calves that appear to have been chiseled from the finest marble.
I am so grateful for these black sunglasses right now.
I’d hate for him to see me admiring. He would most definitely use it against me.
“Hello Val,” William greets. “What brings you here, today?”
I lift my glasses and jut my head in Nico’s direction. “Our favorite panty snatcher,”I say, and looks of confusion blanket both of their faces .
“Come again.” William drops his grip on Nico and folds his arms across his chest.
“Seems like Nico was, yet again, living up to his nickname. After specifically telling him that sex with the candidates was off the table, he slept with her anyhow. Now I’ve had to scrap all three women and start over.
” William’s nostrils flare while Nico’s shoulders slump, making him seem meek and small even in his pads.
I thought about taking it easy on the kid, but I’m not about to let his antics slide. If we’re going to tidy him up by September, there’s no time to beat around the bush. I need all the backing I can get from William and Monty.
“I see.” William’s reply is that of a disappointed parent.
It’s the kind of disappointment that dumps buckets of guilt on your head. I remember the infamous guilt-trips my mom laid on me when I was younger. I’d rather her have just yelled at me.
“So what’s our new plan of action?”
“I’ve been thinking about it all day and I’ve decided we should–”
The honk of what sounds like a toy car interrupts me, and my eye catches something speeding towards us in my peripheral. A golf cart painted in Drillers colors with a large Drillers logo on the front barrels towards us with Monty behind the wheel.
The men jump out of the way like it’s a bullet train. I stand still, mostly because my heels are anchored into the thick Bermuda grass and I would likely fall on my ass if I did. Monty slams on the brakes and swings out of the cart with the finesse of a man half his age.
“I heard there was a beautiful woman amongst these beasts.” He reaches out for me and lays a sweet kiss on my cheek. “Hello darlin’. How are you today? ”
“Hi Monty. I’m well, but I could be better.” He raises his eyebrows and shoves his fists inside of his golf pants, jutting out his round belly.
“Please tell me Loving doesn’t have anything to do with that.”
“Well,” I begin, then fill him in on the latest.
The entire time, Nico stands there shrinking further into himself. A sour feeling builds in my gut, and I start to feel quite bad for how we discuss him like he isn’t standing right in front of us.
“What are we to do with you, young man?” Monty asks, shaking his head slowly from side to side.
“I’m sorry sir. It was wrong of me to not follow Ms. San Ramón’s orders, and I promise it won’t happen again.
I’ll do everything she tells me to, and without complaint.
Please, Mr. Montgomery. Give me one more chance to prove that I can behave.
” His face falls and he looks one step away from begging on his knees.
Monty watches him, examining his face for sincerity, then looks back at me. His expression asks what my thoughts are on the matter, and mine convey that we should try once more.
“No more stepping out of line. One more screw up and the only balls you’ll be catching will be practice ones. Game time is on the line, son. Tread carefully.” Monty lays down the law and Nico quickly agrees.
“Yes sir. I understand.”
“With that out of the way, I’d like to give you this my dear.” Monty reaches into the golf cart and produces a metallic gold envelope, holding it out to me.
“What’s this?”
“An invitation.”
I pull the thick black card stock from the envelope and admire the elegant scroll embossed in gold.
“Tomorrow night is our annual donor dinner. The who’s who of Houston society will be in attendance. I’d like you to join us as a thank you for all your work, so far.”
All That Glitters is written across the top in gold, and it shines from the sun's glow.
“Why thank you. That is very kind of you. But I would hate to impose on such an event.” I try to play it off as if I’m not screaming down the walls on the inside.
This is a huge event, with socialites and all the types of people who could one day need my services. Only the upper echelon of Houston, and beyond , receive invites. Don’t even think about stepping foot in the vicinity of Drillers Stadium if you aren’t making a cool seven figures.
“An imposition? My dear, you would be a breath of fresh air to the event. Plus, Mrs. Monty would have my hide if I didn’t invite you. She’s jumping in her britches to meet you.” He smiles gleefully, his thickly white mustache looking like a fuzzy caterpillar inching its way across his face.
“And I would love to meet her.”
He claps his hand together in joy, the sound startling all of us. “Fantastic. I’ll send Nic and a car to pick you up at eight.”
“Excuse me?” The excitement I felt just a moment ago comes to a screeching halt.
“I’m sorry. Did you say that I would be picking her up?” Nico rattles his head, not really sure he heard correctly.
“I most certainly did. You need to be seen out, behaving like a decent young man should, and this is the most respectable woman I know. I can’t say that I can think of a better woman to escort in on your arm.” The pointed look he gives Nico tells me there will be no more discussion on the matter.
I’m attending the spectacular event of the year, and instead of rubbing elbows with millionaires, I’ll be babysitting.
Awesome .
“Agreed. I look forward to the evening.” Nico shakes Monty’s hand before he pops back into his golf cart and zooms out of sight.
The three of us stand quiet, waiting for everyone to digest the situation and see who’s going to make the first move to either go or address what we all are thinking.
Me? Really, Monty? I could easily find Nico a hundred women who would jump at the chance to attend such an event with him. But I guess the problem is that I’m probably the only woman in the greater Houston area that won’t sleep with him.
I relent and reach into my clutch, retrieving my gold wallet that contains business cards for people I recommend and work with for various things. I flip through them and find the one I’m looking for.
Handing it over to Nico, I instruct, “Be there at six-thirty. The shop will be closed so please call me when you arrive. Phillipe will fit you for a tux.” He opens his mouth but I stop him, extending my finger and poking him in the chest. “Don’t. Be. Late.”
I say goodbye to William, leaving Nico standing there catching flies, and carefully walk away, making sure my statement isn’t bumbled by falling on my ass in front of the entire team.
My hopes of spending a relaxing evening at home, enjoying a glass of wine and falling in love with a new book boyfriend, have been intercepted by a womanizing man who is going to make my neat and orderly life an utter chaos.