Chapter 7
Archer
I’m on my way to Dr. Mondary’s office for another session.
I’m feeling better than I have in a few weeks and I think part of that is because of Elle.
We have been texting almost daily since our makeup dinner date a week ago.
Telling each other about our days. Hers tend to be much more interesting than mine.
Her students are hilarious and I wonder how Elle isn’t asleep by seven every night.
Managing twenty-four kindergarten students every day has to be like herding cats.
“Archer!” I turn and see Tyson jogging over with our newest social media specialist. “This is Stephanie. She had an idea which I think would be fun.”
I turn my gaze to Stephanie, allowing her to explain instead of getting it second hand from Tyson.
“I know SnapChat has been around forever, but I was thinking it would be fun if we give everyone on the team the account for a day, or week, depending how much time everyone wants to commit to it, and let the fans try to figure out who was running it based on the snaps. The rules would be that you obviously can’t show your face or anything that will easily identify you.
Sort of like an I-spy for everyone to participate in.
We would then share the snaps to the team Instagram and TikTok accounts so people can watch later for the reveal. ”
“That’s a great idea. I think the fans would really get into it. Do you want me to start it off?”
“I think it would be too obvious if we had you start first. Everyone would guess the QB right away. I was thinking of starting with a member of the O-Line or maybe special teams.”
I nod, it’s logical and it would be pretty obvious if I started it off. “What do you need me to do then to get this started?”
“I was hoping that you could convince the rest of the team to get on board.”
“I don’t think it will be a problem, but yeah I’ll talk to the team and see what they think.”
“Oh, great! Thanks so much.” She releases a breath, thanks Ty and I for our time and walks back to her office.
“I guess I better reactivate my snap chat so I can participate. Seems like fun actually.”
Tyson gives me a look “You know, you could also use SnapChat to communicate with your new lady friend. Send some risqué snaps.” He waggles his brows.
I inhale deeply through my nose and try to hide my grin as I redownload SnapChat and log in.
I go through the suggested friends and find Elle’s username and add it.
I get confirmation that she accepted it almost immediately.
I guess her kids are at recess or something.
I’m about to put my phone in my pocket when I get the notification that Ellie snapped me.
I swipe to view it and am met with a photo of her in her classroom wearing an old Wolves jersey.
She’s smiling in the snap, her hair is in a claw clip, she’s wearing Wolves logo earrings to match her jersey, and behind her is a stack of what appears to be pictures of people made from fallen leaves.
“You look irritated.” Tyson says as he peers over my shoulder, “Oh, I see why now. You’re jealous.”
“I am not; Ellie can wear whatever jersey she wants.” I say schooling my face into one of nonchalance. Even if it’s fucking Garcia’s. Don’t get me wrong, he was a phenomenal player, but he’s also the announcer for our games and his voice is like nails on a chalk board to me.
“You’re wishing it was yours.” Tyson smirks. “Send her one.”
I think about it for all of two seconds. “How quick do you think Jason can get a delivery to her school?”
After arranging the delivery with my assistant Jason.
I finally make it to my appointment. The appointment is a good one, the past couple of sessions have had me spilling my guts to her, resulting in Dr. Mondary suggesting I try some different techniques to help deal with stress.
She also reiterates at the end of every session that if Kirk Williams shoves his stupid recorder in my face again asking about my personal life, she wouldn’t blame me if I broke it.
I know she’s joking because legally she can’t condone violence, but I think deep down she’s serious.
I walk out of Dr. Mondary’s office feeling rejuvenated. The Wolves hired Dr. Mondary straight out of her residency after her predecessor, Dr. Turner recommended her when he announced his retirement. She’s been phenomenal and I don’t think I would have made it out of my rookie year without her.
My rookie year was insanely stressful, not only for me but my family as well. I had just moved to the city; my family was ten hours away in my hometown. My brother had just had his accident and needed almost full-time care.
I felt so guilty that I was playing a game for a living while my brother was needing around the clock care.
My brother Lucas got drunk and flipped a four-wheeler, by the grace of God he didn’t sustain any lasting injuries, but he had temporary paralysis of his legs due to bruising on his spinal cord.
That was another chapter of my life that Kirk Williams tried to dig into as well.
Every time I went out for drinks with the team, and he got a whiff of it, he would post some story about how I was just as reckless as my brother.
Luckily his obsession with my brother and I only lasted until the next big story came along.
Still, it was incredibly stressful, and Dr. Mondary helped me through it.
Which reminds me, I should call my brother and see how he is doing.
We haven’t spoken much lately, which I could blame on my schedule but in reality, we had a pretty big blow up fight after Cassie and I broke up.
I was just being an ass because I was hurt and I took it out on him; I need to apologize.
I check the time on my phone, I have time and I think it’s his lunch break. Taking a deep breath, I pull up his contact and press call.