Chapter 3
THREE
EVAN
As I drive through the security gate and into the employee parking lot, nerves eat at me.
I spent the first twenty-seven years of my life living in the same house with my parents.
I didn’t even leave town for school, attending the local college.
Here I am, starting a new life more than thirteen hundred miles from the only home I’ve ever known.
The past two weeks felt more like a vacation than a real move.
Today, that changes. Now, it’s real. This is my new life.
The feeling of sheer loneliness washes over me.
It’s been building for a few days. The longer I’m in Miami the more relaxed I should feel, but instead, I feel more and more lonely and out of place.
Pulling into the first space I find, I check to make sure I have my keys, wallet, and phone.
I’m infamous for leaving crap behind. After gathering strength I don’t feel, I get out of the car, locking it behind me and heading for the employee entrance.
My predecessor will be here for the next week, training me before she leaves for her new job somewhere on the west coast.
I hit the buzzer and wait to be let inside.
I double check the instructions on my phone.
A loud buzz sounds then a click indicating the door is unlocked.
Tentatively, I open the door then take the hallway to the left and start reading door numbers.
When I get to 108, the door is open and a petite woman with graying hair is sitting behind the desk closest to the door.
“Good morning, you must be Mr. Nichols,” she says with a bright smile, offering me her hand.
Shaking it, I respond, “Yes, but please call me Evan.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Evan. I’m Hope Masters, Sandy Covington’s assistant and soon to be your assistant.”
“It’s great to meet you, too. Do you prefer Ms. Masters or Hope?”
“Hope, please. Most of us go by our first names around here.”
“Excellent,” I agree. I prefer first names. Using last names seems too formal and that is not my style.
“Let me show you around. For now, this will be your desk,” she starts, pointing to a large desk by the window already set up with a laptop.
“Here is a packet of information Sandy and I put together for you. It has all your basic information, including passwords and how to change them so you can get into your computer, the food service sites, and other pertinent information. Feel free to read through it at your leisure. Sandy and I will be going through everything in the folder over the next week but thought it would be nice to have it printed as well.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m sure I’ll be referencing this folder for a few months until I get the lay of the land.”
Taking out a set of keys, she opens the door on the opposite side of the room and leads me inside.
“This is the conference room where we hold our monthly food service meetings. The next one is on the fourth. Sandy will help prepare for that meeting and lead it with you. Beginning in September, you will lead those meetings, but don’t worry, I’ll be here if you have any questions.
” Locking the door behind us, she leads me to the other side of the large office and knocks on the door.
“Come in,” a voice calls from the other side.
“Sandy likes to leave her door closed, but you can decide if you prefer it opened or closed once you move into the office,” she explains, leading me inside.
I will likely leave it open unless I’m in a meeting or on a call and can’t be disturbed. I can’t imagine closing myself off from everyone else.
“Sandy, this is Evan Nichols, I was just showing him around. Would you like to join us for the tour?”
“Evan, it is so nice to meet you,” she says, shaking my hand.
“Nice to meet you as well.”
“I think I’ll wait here and get a few things ready for Evan while you take him on the grand tour. Evan, when you return, join me in the conference room and we’ll go over some paperwork and then get started with training.”
“Sounds good to me,” I agree.
“Shall we?” Hope offers, gesturing for me to follow her.
We spend the next hour walking through the stadium.
She shows me the employee kitchen, which is huge and fully stocked with snacks and beverages.
Then she takes me to each restaurant, bar, concession stand, and cart.
Before the tour ends, we take a look at the field from the employee box. It’s an impressive view.
“You are allowed to access the box during any game or concert. As the coordinator, most of your work is done Monday through Friday from 8-5, but you will need to be available during the home games in case an emergency arises. This is the perfect place to enjoy the game unless you’re needed.”
“Do all the employees have access to this box?”
“Just the managers, directors, and their assistants on a regular basis. Most of the other employees are actually working during the games. However, we do encourage employees to choose a game, concert, or event during the year and request it off, so they have the opportunity to enjoy the box once a year. Some take us up on the offer, but many don’t. ”
“That’s a nice perk.”
“Was that not an option at your former stadium?”
“No. Not at my level at least.” Honestly, I’m not sure we had an employee box, but I don’t share that with Hope.
“I guess every stadium is different.” She shrugs as she leads me out of the box and to the elevator. We take it to ground level and I follow her through the tunnels past the Dolphins locker room and onto the field. We stay on the sidelines and watch practice for a few minutes.”
“Wow! This is amazing. I never went on the field in New Jersey.”
“You have to see it. The view from the box is breathtaking, but nothing compares to being on the field.”
“You sound like you really like football.”
“Are you kidding me? I never miss a home game. I grew up here and have been a huge Dolphins fan my entire life. My father was the general manager of the team for twenty years. When I turned sixteen, I applied for a job here. I started as an usher and moved to various positions over the years until I landed my current position—Assistant to the Food and Beverage Coordinator. I’ve been in this position for twenty-five years and you’ll be the third coordinator I’ve worked for.
I love my job and this stadium. My youngest son is a free agent and was just hired as the backup quarterback.
It’s good to have him home. He's played for three other NFL teams and as much as he’s enjoyed his career, his dream was to eventually make his way onto the Dolphins’ roster.
” Hope beams with pride and I see nothing but love for this team and city in her eyes.
“That’s great, Hope. I can tell you’re very proud of him.”
“I am. My other son is a reporter for the team and my daughters both work in the Dolphins’ marketing department.”
“You have your whole family here.”
“Except my husband. He’s an ER nurse.”
“Hey, Momma,” a handsome man who looks to be in his early thirties jogs over to us.
“Hi, Carter. How’s my baby boy?”
“Not so much a baby,” he winks.
“This is Evan. He’s taking Sandy’s position. This is my son, Carter.”
We exchange handshakes and greetings before he jogs back onto the field to join his teammates. As we turn to go back through the tunnel, I run smack into a wall of muscles.
“Eh, ex-excuse me,” I stutter, taking a step back and almost losing my balance.
He grabs my arm to steady me and warmth shoots through me.
Damn, he’s gorgeous with his olive skin, dark eyes, and short, brown hair.
I shake my head in an effort to focus and realize he said something that didn’t register.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“Are you okay? I didn’t see you when I came around the corner.”
“I’m fine.”
He nods quickly and I swear he licks his lips as his gaze looks me over from head to toe. Then he focuses on my eyes.
“Have a good day.” He winks before jogging through the tunnel toward the field.
When I look at Hope, she has a hint of humor in her eyes and a huge smile on her face.
“Who was that?” I ask.
“Isaac Flores, wide receiver.”
“That’s Isaac Flores? He’s not just any wide receiver. He was drafted straight out of high school. He’s the best in the NFL.”
“You know football.”
“Yeah, not so much. I wasn’t much of a fan before I started working at the stadium in New Jersey.
That first year, I had a manager who was a huge fan and could spit out any stat or fact from the past fifty years.
Her enthusiasm was definitely contagious.
We started watching games together when we weren’t working and now, I follow several teams including the Giants and Jets.
I’m not great at remembering stats, but I know a few key players. ”
“I can see those being teams you follow. Sometimes, it’s about proximity. My dad’s the reason I love the Dolphins. I guess I’m the reason my kids love the team.”
“That makes sense.”
After a stop at the HR office to get my photo taken for my badge, Hope leads me back to the office, where Sandy is waiting with papers spread across the conference room table.
After completing paperwork, Sandy gives me a map of the stadium to add to my folder, then we spend a few hours going over the information Hope gave me when I first arrived.
By the time five rolls around, my new badge has been delivered, so I can access the building anytime.
Even though I’m mentally exhausted, I try to take my folder and laptop home to do some reading and to learn more about the new job, but Sandy insists that I take a break for tonight.
She’s right. I need to let my brain rest. For me, that’s not always a good thing.
A resting brain only allows me time to think about all the shit I can cause to go wrong in the next few weeks.