Chapter Twenty-Four Los Angeles
Piper sat on the edge of the bed, Noah’s last message still open on his phone.
Fuck San Francisco.
The room was quiet, just Piper’s thoughts filled the space.
He started doing his breathing exercises, not because he believed in it but because the alternative had been waking at four in the morning with his body already running with no relief in sight.
Two minutes, in through the nose, out through the mouth.
Halfway through the second set, the phone buzzed. He didn’t need to look at it to know it wasn’t Noah this time.
Jayson. He answered.
“You’re up late,” Jayson said.
“Long day.”
“I assume you watched the Seattle vs. San Francisco game. I also assume you called to congratulate him.”
“We have been friendly since the photoshoot,” he said. “You pay me for being available, am I not allowed to have a friend?”
“Of course.”
“We text occasionally.”
“I didn’t say it was a problem, yet.”
It’s not what Jayson said, but what he didn’t.
“Is there something you need from me?” Piper said.
“No.”
Jayson’s tone shifted, almost warm. “I wanted to check in. You ready for Denver this week? I have already discussed my concerns about Noah with you at dinner.”
“I know. Thanks.”
“Just focus on winning.”
“I’m planning to win the game. They moved us to Monday night after the Seattle win. It seems all eyes are on the West division this season.”
“I know you are,” Jayson replied. “We’ll talk after. There are some things I’d like to review. You have not signed the amended contract. Vivienne is ignoring me and I need you to prove to me you are still in this with me.”
“Of course,” Piper said.
“You’ve always been very good at staying within the lines,” Jayson added. “That’s why this works.”
Piper did not reply right away in fear he would say the wrong thing and trigger Jayson.
“I would hate to see things become more complicated for you, Piper,” Jayson said.
“Understood,” Piper finally replied.
“Good night, Piper.”
“Good night.”
The line went dead.
Piper stayed where he was, the phone still in his hand.
It buzzed once more. A notification from his banking app, incoming wire transfer, $2,500,000.00, Selby Ridge Holdings Trust, quarterly disbursement.
He had been receiving wires from Selby Ridge since his second season. His accountant handled all of it, but he never turned the notifications off. His accountant was Jayson’s accountant. The incoming transfers always felt like a dopamine rush, but not so much any longer.
He swiped the notification away.
He let out a slow breath.
For as long as he had been receiving them, he had kept a clear structure around what he allowed himself to want. The Championships, the longevity, the control. All the things that could be justified, defended, measured. These were all the things that fit his life.
Noah didn’t fit into the life he had backed himself into.
He stood up and grabbed the tablet from the table. Denver’s secondary came up immediately. He had watched the rotations. He watched them again, forcing his attention onto the details in preparation for the upcoming game.
It worked, eventually. He set the tablet down, turned off the light, and lay back on the bed.
After a minute, he reached for his phone again. The screen lit up, the message was still there.
Fuck San Francisco.
He opened the thread, stared at it, then locked the phone again.
Joan, we need to protect Noah, he did’nt choose this life, I fucking did.
He closed his eyes, but his phone lit up.
It was Noah, Not sure why you are ignoring me but turns out I will be in L.A. to shoot a new brand partnership in two days. Sneak a meeting? It’s your birthday week. Miss you, sexy.
Piper had forgotten about his birthday. Piper hated his birthday.
He didn’t reply.