by Lacey Legend
“Right.” Trent pushed away from the table. “I’m getting another beer.” He stalked off toward the house and slammed the door behind him.
“How long as he been like this,” Ameryst asked.
“Since Monica left,” Xander answered, watching for Trent to return. “He’s drunk more than he’s sober. I think he’s the first one to leave and the last one to arrive every day.”
“What are we gonna do?” Jared asked, he had no idea it was this bad and he only had part of the story.
“Get him through to Nashville, try to talk to Monica.” Xander shrugged. “Alicia talks to her about once a week but she’s happy there and it really doesn’t sound like she wants to come back.”
“Can he get traded?” Jared asked Ameryst.
“I don’t know. He’d have to be a part of a package deal with the numbers he put up last night. As a tight end he’s not enough of a commodity on his own, not to any teams right now,” Ameryst replied thoughtfully. “I just don’t know. I can see what I can do but I had no idea it was this bad. He’s really falling apart.”
“What if he had a commodity to be traded with?” Jared asked, an idea taking form in his mind.
Xander’s head snapped over to him. “You aren’t serious?”
“What?” Ameryst asked, missing the idea.
“Represent me then trade me to Nashville as a package deal with Trent,” Jared suggested.
“You want to go to Nashville?” Ameryst looked confused.
“Sure, why not?” Jared shrugged. “I could go for a change of scenery, especially after what I’m going to do to Derek.”
“I can see if there is some interest but I can’t make any promises,” Ameryst agreed, still not quite sure about Jared’s motivation.
“That’s all I ask of you, Ameryst.” Jared grinned, the genuine one. “Now what do I have to do to sign with you?”
“I’ve got the paperwork in my bag.” Ameryst gestured toward the house. “Of course, nothing is legit until you fire Derek, so keep that in mind.”
“Fair enough. I’ll handle that tomorrow and you can start tomorrow evening, deal?” Jared asked.
“Sounds good to me.” Ameryst smiled, wide enough to reach her eyes.
“Great!” Jared exclaimed. “Now let’s try to have some fun, especially since Xander and Alicia have a babysitter for the night.”
“Here, here!” Alicia cheered and raised her glass for a toast. “To new beginnings!”
**
Jared woke to his phone buzzing. So much for the vibrate function being less disruptive to his sleep. He fumbled for the phone and flipped it open to a text from A.J. Jared bolted upright, the room spun for a second but then righted itself so he could read the short communication.
“Got your letter, will be at game.”
That’s it. No more, no less. It didn’t matter to Jared, those seven words made everything he was about to do that much more important. Maybe she would see and understand what he was trying to do. Regardless, she would be at the game. He already knew Rick and his whole family would be there and they were already working on the other part of his plan.
Jared rolled out of bed and dressed quickly. He double checked his reflection, clean-shaven, his hair curling wildly around his head and tickling the nape of his neck. Breakfast consisted of a protein shake while watching the fallout of his Sunday Night Football appearance. Glover had some choice words for the press regarding his thoughts on Jared’s commentary. Jared had to admit it made for great TV and set the stage for his own press conference today.
Driving to Panther Stadium, Jared blared his music, enjoying the solitude of the drive while imagining his reunion with A.J. All he needed to do was get through the next few weeks. He tapped the steering wheel in a haphazard beat, not even close to what poured through his speakers. He recalled a memory of A.J. mocking his lack of rhythm and how it devolved into an amazing make-out session. Soon, you’ll be teasing me again soon.
Jared sauntered into the Panther’s facility and headed straight for the media room in hopes of avoiding the PR people who would only want to advise him on what to say; as if he didn’t already know how to handle the press. Jared pushed open the door and stepped right into the room, already loaded with reporters and cameras just waiting on him.
“Hey everybody!” Jared addressed the room cheerfully as he stepped up on the platform and took the only chair at the table.
The crowd murmured, clearly confused by his solo appearance. He flashed them his trademark smile and continued, relieved they weren’t bombarding him with questions.
“So I thought I’d just come on in here and have a little sit down with you fine people.”
This was met with nervous titters, as if waiting for the punchline. Finally, one brave soul got up the courage to ask a question.
“How’s the leg doing, Jump?”
“Feels great, didn’t you see me play on Sunday?” Jared teased the reporter.
“But you’re late getting in today, aren’t you?” the reporter continued.
“In case you didn’t notice, most of the team is late today. Whitey gave us a small reprieve this morning as a reward for how well we played on Sunday,” Jared grinned and offered a challenge, “but if you’d like to test out my leg, feel free to follow me to the practice field when we’re done here and I’ll be happy to race you.”
“Glover had some pretty harsh comments about your Sunday Night Football appearance, do you have anything for him?” another voice shouted from the back of the room.
“Nah, he’s entitled to his opinion.” Jared apologized, “I’m sorry, I know you all came for more about Glover and our little feud, but I would love to discuss something a little more important if you don’t mind.” When nobody objected, Jared continued, “So here’s the thing, you all know I’ve been away for a while working hard on my recovery. All that time away got me to thinking, I really need to make some changes in my life and I’m starting with some of the people close to me. Derek? Where are you, Derek?
“Come on, everybody, help me get my agent out here. I know he wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Jared paused for effect. “Oh, wait, he’s not here? Shocking. You know where else he wasn’t? In Amherst with me while I was recovering. In fact, he dropped me off in a sparsely decorated house and took off for a few months.”
The reporters responded to that; there were whispers but nobody asked another question. They just waited, expectantly.
Jared looked around the room, felt the excitement build, and continued, “Do you know when Derek showed up again? He popped up on my doorstep with an impromptu interview after he divulged my whereabouts to you fine folks when he decided it was time for me to return to L.A.
“Doesn’t that sound like a great agent to you? I mean, he arranged any number of things on my behalf and even withheld important family events from me because Derek knows best, right?” Jared leaned forward as if sharing a secret with the reporters. “Except, he doesn’t. He’s a lying, manipulative piece of shit.
“Do you know that my Dad had a stroke and Derek told my mom not to tell me because he thought it would affect my recovery? Who doesn’t want to know if something serious happened to their parent?”
Honestly, Jared couldn’t believe nobody interrupted him but the room fell silent. He scratched at his freshly shaven face.
“You know, I think there comes a time when it’s best that people just part ways and that time has come for Derek and me. So, you all are among the first to know that Derek Fitzgerald is no longer my agent.
“I fired him this morning, he should have gotten that notice right around,” Jared looked at his watch, “now. I’m sure his face is about eight shades of red and he’s thinking back to all of the poor choices he’s made.”
“So you don’t have an agent?” a shaky voice carried up to him from the back of the room.
“Actually, I do,” Jared leaned back in his chair. “I’ve taken some really solid advice from people I r
eally respect and decided to sign on with Ameryst Rice at Chrysalis. I believe she will do right by me in the years to come.”
“Doesn’t she represent some of your teammates?” another voice asked, eager and excited at the realization that they were possibly landing the story of the season.
“Yes, she does,” Jared confirmed but didn’t elaborate. “I think that’s all I have to say, but feel free to follow me out to the practice field.”
Jared stood and walked out of the room despite the eruption from the crowd. His phone vibrated in his pocket but he ignored it and headed straight for the locker room where his teammates abruptly stopped talking and stared. Xander walked up, gave an approving smile, and headed out toward the field.
“Did you really just fire Derek in the middle of a press conference?” Trey stepped into his line of vision.
Jared nodded and shrugged. “Yep.”
“Damn, bro. That’s some serious shit.” Trey shook his head in disbelief. “You’re gonna have some shit to answer to for that one.”
“Meh.” Jared shrugged again. “I did the right thing, Trey.”
“I hope so, I really do.” Trey stepped aside.
A few of his teammates nodded their approval, some just gawked at him like he had a disease or lost his mind, but mostly, they all just let him pass. Jared tossed his duffel bag into his locker and dressed for practice like nothing happened.
Jared felt surprisingly refreshed and undeniably optimistic as he took the practice field. He suspected that things were going to work out just fine.
**
“See! I told you he was a good guy!” Jaida exclaimed to her sister. She didn’t understand why her sister couldn’t see what Jared was trying to do. “Alex, you should talk to him.”
“Jaida, you don’t understand.” A.J. sighed, exasperated. “Everything he did here was just an act, just something to fill the time. It wasn’t real.” She gestured toward the TV where Jared was pictured signing women’s breasts and then making out with a petite blonde at a party. “That’s the real Jared Jackson.”
Jaida didn’t believe it. She’d read his letter to her, the one A.J. threw in the trash, unopened. They were going to that game in Nashville, one way or another. Jaida texted Jared that they’d be there, now she just needed to convince her sister and it was proving far more difficult than she imagined.
“Alex, he fired his agent and hired Ameryst.”
“So? That makes it worse. He’s trying to use my friends to get to me,” A.J. said bitterly.
“I don’t think so.” Jaida shook her head. “Why won’t you give him a break? Didn’t you hear what he said about what his agent did? How do you know he didn’t prevent Jared from saying good-bye to you?”
In truth, Jaida believed that’s exactly what happened. The letter from Jared detailed everything, explained everything. She wished Alex would just read the letter but she’d be really angry if she knew that Jaida pulled it out of the garbage. Why was she so determined to make Jared into a bad guy? Jaida didn’t understand at all.
“Jaida, when will you let it go?” A.J. sighed. “He’s gone and he’s staying gone.”
“He’s going to be in Nashville,” Jaida stated simply.
A.J. glared at her sister. “I don’t care.”
“Yes,” Jaida refuted, “you do. You care and you know it. You could just go see him and then you’ll know. Even if you just scream at him that you hate him or whatever else you want to say, wouldn’t it be worth it? Come on, Alex. Let’s just go to the game.”
“No. Would you stop already?” A.J. flipped the television off.
“I’m going to the game,” Jaida said firmly. “I’ve got a ticket and I’m going whether you go with me or not.”
“What?” A.J. gasped. “How did you get a ticket?”
“Jared sent us two tickets. I already talked to Ally and I’m going to ride with them. We’re all going and you can’t stop me.”
Jaida challenged her sister to refuse her, to try to ground her or make her stay but all she saw was pain in Alex’s eyes.
“You opened the letter, didn’t you?” A.J. whispered.
“Yes, I did. And I’ve read the texts he’s sent,” Jaida confessed. “I like him. I liked you when you were with him. You can’t spend your whole life taking care of me, Alex. You can’t keep hiding out, either.”
“When did you get to be so smart?”
Tears pricked at A.J.’s eyes, as she regarded her sister. She wanted to tell her everything, to give her side of the story, to explain, but, how could she burden Jaida who had more than enough to deal with?
“I’ve never been an idiot. I keep trying to tell you that.” Jaida rolled her eyes. “So, are you going to go with me, or what?”
“I don’t know.” A.J. hesitated. There were things her sister didn’t know, actually, one really big thing that may change everything.
“I already told him you’d be there. Or, rather, I pretended I was you and texted him that you got the letter and will be at the game,” Jaida explained sheepishly.
“Oh, Jaida, you didn’t….” A.J. groaned. Dammit, she just wanted to move on with her life.
“I did,” Jaida confirmed. “I’d hoped you would just come around on your own but it seemed you needed a little push, so I pushed.”
“We need to have a serious conversation about boundaries.” A.J. couldn’t believe her sister could be so manipulative.
“Okay, after we go to the game and talk to Jared,” Jaida agreed.
Chapter13
“Everything is set, right?” Jared asked Rick over the phone.
“Sir, I need you to disconnect your call now.” The flight attendant, clearly losing her patience, stood over him, her plastic smile faltering.
“Yes, Jay, everything is set. We’ll see you at the game.” Rick’s voice crackled a little in the phone. “We’ll pick up the kids and then A.J. and Jaida. Ally confirmed with Jaida that A.J. is planning to be there so I think we’re all set. As far as I know, she has no clue what’s really happening.”
“Great. Thanks, Rick. I owe you,” Jared promised his friend. “I owe you big.”
“You don’t owe me anything, Jay. It’s what we do,” Rick assured him. Marie hollered something in the background. “Oh, and Marie says she’s proud of you for giving Glover hell. You should have heard her during that game. It was something else.”
“Sir! Your phone!” The flight attendant stomped her foot and glared at him.
He put his hand over the receiver., “Yeah, sorry. Just a sec.” Jared interrupted Rick’s praise. “Sorry, Rick, I have to go. We’re taking off soon and the lovely flight attendant needs me to hang up and turn my phone off.”
“Alright, Jay. See you soon!” Rick crowed into the phone.
Jared hung up on Rick and smiled up at the attendant. “I’m so sorry, it’s just that I’ve made these really important plans and a lot of people would be disappointed if it’s not handled before I get there.” He made a point of turning his phone off and promised to keep it off until they landed.
Jared should have flown with the team but Whitey gave him permission to take a day to visit his dad before heading to Nashville. Given his lights out play against Dallas and again in Jacksonville, Whitey caved to Ameryst’s pressure to give Jared some family time in light of his father’s health.
It sounded like he’d had a setback after getting a little too excited during the Dallas game. Despite his mother’s assurances, Jared desperately wanted to see for himself. He had less than twenty-four hours with his family before flying to Nashville and that didn’t leave a lot of time for error.
“You’re Jump Jackson, aren’t you?” The woman leaned across the aisle and tapped him on the shoulder until he answered.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jared said in a hushed tone. He really didn’t want to draw attention to himself on this flight. “But today I’m just a passenger on a flight home to see my family.”
“My son just loves you.” Th
e woman, not much younger than his own mother, leaned closer until she was half out of her seat. “Do you think I could get an autograph for him?”
“Sure,” Jared agreed, “but only if you don’t tell anybody else on this flight who I am. I really just want to stay anonymous right now.”
The woman nodded vigorously. “I won’t say a word!” She handed him her magazine, the one with Jessica Klein’s story as a feature.
“Who should I make it out to?” Jared asked politely. He hated that article, it was such bullshit and a reminder of all the crap Derek had pulled.
“Just ‘B’ if you don’t mind,” she said.
