Chapter 39
Antonio
“Here are the approved questions we went over on the plane. They’re straightforward—what position you play, how rugby is different from football, and if you bench-press cars to maintain your physique.
Phylicia likes to put her guests in the hot seat.
Expect at least one question about your personal life, but don’t feel like you need to answer if she prods too much. ”
“Hey, Reese?” Her dark brown eyes lift from the tablet that’s now pressed to her chest. “I got it,” I say.
“Of course you do.” At her energetic headshake, a thick strand of hair falls out of the nest pinned to the top of her head.
“You’ve been great! Your interviews stay on message and keep viewers excited.
The Borough Squad airs live and streams to social media.
There’s a fifteen-second delay to catch profanity, but keep it clean, please. ”
“Reese?”
“You got it,” she says.
If she didn’t naturally operate like a squirrel who snorted a line, I’d tell her to sleep off the gallon of coffee she ingests before noon. She is as efficient as she is thorough in managing the Steel’s media. Full of energy and sometimes forgetting to breathe.
Today has been a nonstop tour of New York City traffic across three of the five boroughs.
It’s been quiet at the top with management, and it better stay that way with all of the press we’re getting.
You’d think I have a movie, an album, and a memoir dropping.
Many professional athletes dream of getting to this point.
I’m grateful, but I want to dream in my own bed, in the house I pay for that has good toilet paper.
“Kenneth, are you satisfied with your prep? I’m happy to hold a quick session before you go in.”
Outside of Kendrick’s mama and grandma, Reese is the only person who calls him by his government name.
“Kenneth, are you okay?” Reese asks, her brows tight, her body angling to spring into action.
“Y-yeah.” Kendrick clears his throat and tugs at the collar of his button-down. “I’m straight, thank you.”
“Okay! I have a few calls to make, but I’ll stop by before your interview.
See you soon!” Reese strolls off with a smile in her Baby-Sitters Club outfit.
I only caught a few episodes when I was younger, but I know a Mary Anne ’fit when I see one.
The long socks tucked into patent leather loafers, corduroy skirt, and a blouse under a sweater scream, Here come the ’90s.
“You should ask her out,” I say to Kendrick. He’s still staring down the hall.
“We’re here on business, Cap.” He digs his shoe into the graphite carpet lining the way to the studio.
“Business.” I volley back his bullshit.
Bro is dressed to knock on doors on Saturday.
Never once has Kendrick willingly signed up for media training, or to speak in front of an audience.
He’s a man of few words and no close-ups.
But guess who volunteered to spend the day with me in New York City, bouncing between studios to help promote the Steel?
“I’ll fall back with this interview since you got it.” I grin at his scowl. “That’s what I thought. Let’s go.”
I bet he laid out the white button-down and black slacks last night. After he booked a last-minute appointment for fresh twists and a line-up.
All for business.
Reese waves from inside a glass room. Kendrick swallows and averts his eyes while mumbling to himself.
Yeah, he’s got it bad.
I squeeze his shoulder. “Take it from me, don’t wait eighteen years to ask her out. She might be married by then with six kids and two dogs.”
Kendrick is quiet before he sighs. “It’s not like that between us. What you worried about me for anyway, Papa Smurf? You ever gonna make a move on Miriam?”
“Already did.”
It hasn’t registered that Miriam and I are together.
There’s no title yet, but I want this if she does.
Travel and these media commitments are a boil on my ass.
It’s been impossible to stay in Buffalo for more than a day—two, if I’m lucky.
Being away was never an issue when she was in Baltimore.
I kept busy to pass the time and never had a reason to be home.
She is my home. I’m not wasting any more time.
I’m doing what I should’ve done years ago.
Hold on and never let go.
“Papa Smurf is in love.” Kendrick’s twists shake with his laugh. “It’s nice to see it finally happen. You two are a good look, for real.”
“To think we could double-date.” I fold my arms over my sweater and stop outside the room of our radio interview. “Why do you insist on hurting my feelings, Kenny?”
“Chill,” he groans. “She’s cool, but she—”
“Good, you’re still here!” Reese zips around the corner, panting.
Her cheeks are pink against her maple complexion, which is covered in a thin layer of sweat.
“We had a last-minute cancelation today, but that’s okay!
I pulled some strings and confirmed another interview after this, with chicken wings.
Possibly a dunk tank. We’ll end closer to nine, and I’ll have you two on a plane to Chicago before midnight.
There’s one more change in the schedule. ”
My brows furrow. “What?”
Reese bites her lip and glances at Kendrick. He lifts his hands. “Whatever you’re about to say doesn’t involve me.”
“It’s not bad news, but it will require a few adjustments,” she says, assuring no one. “We’d like for you to take on a few events on the west coast, after next week’s game against Utah.”
“Define ‘a few,’” I say.
“A late show, two podcasts, and another PSN in-studio. I can get you back to Buffalo on Wednesday.”
“That’s halfway into our bye week.” It’s also three days too many away from Miriam. “I want the first flight out on Tuesday after that game.”
“I’ll see what I can do. And I’ll work on a schedule for home games. It won’t be as hectic moving forward.”
“Appreciate you, Reese,” I say.
“No problem! Let me see if The Borough Squad is ready for us.”
The way today is going, I’ll be lucky to get ten minutes to call Miriam once she’s off work. Something will need to give.
All of this means nothing if it costs me her.