Chapter 6
PENELOPE
Today was a drag as I had several assignments due that I was barely able to complete.
Not to mention, I had two hours to be downtown for an interview with the local station.
Also on my plate was a sports drink company wanting to sign me to their brand.
I had to meet with Dame later this evening to discuss that deal.
Although exhausted, I couldn’t complain. My life was good. I was an entire champion in these streets, and at some point in the future, I’d be adding doctor to that list. Zoo was a godsend, helping me where he could. Most nights, he stayed up to help me study.
Speaking of my man, he came swerving into the university’s parking lot on two wheels. Nose turned up, I stomped to the passenger side door as he swooped around to open it. He had the meanest grill on his face, prompting me to fix my attitude.
“Hey, Baby,” I spoke as he met me halfway for a sweet kiss. After I slid into the seat, he closed the door behind me.
He slid into the car, still grilling.
“You good, Zeus?” That snapped his attention to me.
“You think I’m crazy, Baby?”
“Well—”
“Not the ha-ha funny crazy, but the ‘Here’s your prescription, Sir’ crazy.”
I busted out laughing only because Zoo changed his voice to sound all proper and shit.
“First of all, let’s get something straight. Stop using that word ‘crazy’. There’s nothing wrong with people who need a little help controlling their emotions. Secondly… Everyone has a little ‘crazy’ in them. If we didn’t, this world wouldn’t be so fucked-up.”
Silently, Zoo drove, in his head. Remembering that he accompanied Brooklyn to the doctor today, I sighed.
“What happened?”
“That mantis-shaped body, bison big ass head lookin’ muhfucka gon’ give me an appointment card.” He pointed to the square card resting in the cup holder. I picked it up and read it, inwardly laughing at the description he gave of the doctor.
“Why would he give you an appointment card—”
“Exactly!”
It seemed like the angrier Zoo got, the faster he drove. The speed limit was forty-five, and he was pushing sixty on this crowded ass road.
“Babe—”
“Nigga needs his fuckin’ license revoked,” he mumbled.
“Babe—”
“And I wish the fuck I would go sit on that damn couch and let him tell me I’m crazy.”
“Babe—”
“Bitch ass—”
“Zeus!” My voice escalated. “Damn, calm down! You’re gonna crash the car speeding!”
Immediately, Zoo slowed down. It was in good time, too, as he drove right past a waiting police car.
“Now, stop ranting like no one has ever told you that you have issues. There’s nothing wrong with needing help. Hell, if our niggas would take their asses to counseling, then maybe our relationships would be healthier. I’m not even above going to therapy, so if you want, I’ll go with you.”
He started to protest, however, I cut him off.
“Aht, aht! If you go to the first appointment and you completely hate it, then I won’t push you to do another one. Obviously, the doctor thinks you need to speak with him.”
Zoo grumbled. “I’ma ‘speak with him’ with the back of my hand if he comes at me sideways.”
Cackling, I swatted his arm. “I have a small window to make it home and change before I have to be downtown. You’re gonna be on your best behavior at this interview, Zoo, or we’re not fuckin’ for a month.”
He smacked his teeth but didn’t argue. Just like I knew not to start shit with him, he knew not to argue with me. We had a healthy balance of dealing with each other.
The interview was long but a breeze. Zoo behaved himself, even though we ended up being at the station longer than I thought we would be.
Where I expected the reporter to try and slide in the night Zoo got shot, she didn’t.
Dame was good about reaching out to the station to let them know what was off limits to discuss.
Having him on my team was the best decision I ever made for my career.
Next, we went back to his place. Instead of going out, we stayed in and cooked dinner together.
Dame was due any minute to discuss the sports drink deal.
Admittedly, I was nervous. I had other endorsements, but this one was a big deal.
Getting a major sports drink brand was any athlete’s dream.
Winning the championship brought more opportunities my way, and I was going to eat it all up.
About an hour later, Dame arrived. Zoo went and got the door while I finished preparing the table.
“PJ!” Dame’s wide smile was always welcoming.
“Hey, Dame!” I waved and said, “Why don’t you wash your hands, and we can talk around the table.”
“Shiidd, you don’t have to tell me twice,” he stated, glancing around the table at the spread Zoo and I made. He sat the folder in his hands on the table, then moved to the sink to wash up.
Steaks were my favorite, so we made that along with loaded sweet potatoes and corn on the cob. My stomach growled, achingly so, just from the sight of the caramelized marshmallows sitting nicely atop the potatoes.
Once we were settled around the table, Zoo prayed, then handed the floor to Dame.
“These calls are coming in like crazy.” He chuckled. “I’m not surprised since you’re the hottest commodity in women’s basketball.”
Sure, I was flattered, but I waved him off and dove feet first into my potato.
“She damn shole is,” Zoo added his two cents.
“There’s no reason to act like you’re not the shit,” Dame said. “It’s two players I’ll never regret signing, and that’s you and your sister. God dropped y’all in my lap, and as long as y’all allow me to, I’ma do right by both of y’all.”
“That’s wassup,” Zoo commented.
I smiled.
“BodyU is coming pretty hard for you,” Dame started. I expected him to say one of the other sports drinks companies. BodyU was by far a surprise. In the last few years, they’d risen to take control of the sports world with their one-of-a-kind tastes.
“They’re starting a new line of energy drinks they plan on rolling out this Christmas. They want you to be the face of their new campaign, which is huge.”
It was huge. BodyU already had several big names under their belt that could have easily been the face of their new campaign. The fact that they wanted me had me near tears.
“Baby, that’s dope as fuck!” Zoo’s smile rivaled mine.
“The terms are for three years, at one mil per year.”
My eyes bugged, and I almost choked on my food. “What!”
“Damn!” Zoo exclaimed.
“Yeah.” Dame chuckled. “Crazy, isn’t it?”
Nodding, I replied, “What’s the drawbacks? There’s gotta be a downside, and I’d rather know before I get too excited.” I had to slow my heart rate down, but the more I thought about it, the more excited I became.
“That’s a good question. Clients almost never ask me that, and I hate busting their bubble with the negative. However, it’s my job as your agent to give you every detail I know. Mmm.” Dame stopped talking to savor a bite of steak. “Y’all gonna have me coming for dinner every night.”
Zoo and I chuckled.
“The biggest drawback is traveling. I know you do it throughout the season, but it’s different when you’re marketing a brand.
You have other endorsements that aren’t as demanding.
BodyU is the brand, though, so they require a lot more time, and a lot more patience.
The campaign will start late November. I expect it to run for quite some time, especially moving into the new season. Things will get really heavy then.”
“Okay.” I sighed. Traveling that much during the offseason wasn’t such a turn-off. I glanced at Zoo. “What do you think, Baby?” It wasn’t awkward having him listen to my business. As far as I was concerned, he was my best friend before anything. His opinion mattered to me.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” he answered after taking a swig of his beer. “The question is, what do you think? This is your time, Sweetheart. I’m just here to fan ya flames.”
Zoo’s comment warmed my spirit.
“So, are we going to proceed or would you like more time to think it over? Either way, I’m on your side.”
As much as I wanted to shout yes and get the process rolling, something halted me.
“How about I think about it? I’m ecstatic to be mentioned in the conversation let alone selected, so I’m definitely leaning on the side of yes.
However, I want to sit with myself and make sure I’m prepared to be everything they need.
My image is everything, and I don’t want to subject myself to that type of publicity if in the end, I’m not up for it. ”
I remembered how rough my season was. Mentally, the pressure I had been under caused me to go into a dark place one too many times and caused me to almost lose one of the best people in my life. Shaking off those dreadful memories, I realized I was making the right decision to hold off.
“I completely understand and agree,” Dame concurred. “When you’re ready, you let me know. This deal isn’t going anywhere until you tell me otherwise.”
Feeling better about it, I let the table fall into comfortable talk as we continued eating.
Zoo and Dame knew each other, so of course, they talked about shit I knew nothing about.
Zoo was so knowledgeable in his career that I was thoroughly impressed listening to him talk about his passion and the love he had for his family’s business.
Just as much as he’d been there for me during the season and with my schooling, it was time for me to reciprocate and show my boo that I was invested in the things that brought him joy.
It was only right that I made him just as happy as he was making me.
ZOO