Schooling The Quarterback: an m/m college sports romance (GSU), page 15
I sigh. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine,” Max counters, and I glare at him.
It’s one thing for Sasha to be sassy and make fun of me, but I wasn’t expecting Max to join in. Maybe this is his way of paying me back for being too worried about him after his allergic reaction.
“I miss my boyfriend,” I hiss out, feeling exasperated. “Is that such a big deal?”
“I think there’s more going on than just missing him,” Victor adds.
Great, now everyone is in on this. Pushing my glasses up, I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to figure out how to get my friends off my back. I don’t want to talk about this because I know if I do, I’m going to become emotional, and I don’t want to show them that side of me right now. But it’s hard not to be upset when considering the possibility of losing the best thing that has ever happened to me.
“You know you don’t have to break up if he gets drafted by a team other than Michigan, right?” Max checks.
Fuck, I hate how well my friends know me. I guess we’re having this conversation whether I like it or not.
“I know we don’t have to break up,” I reply quietly. “But what’s going to keep us together? Love is powerful, but it’s not invincible. Distance is hard. On top of that, throw in the challenge of playing for the NFL, and the difficulty level goes up by a hundred. Chase’s entire focus is going to have to be on the game and proving to his team they made the right choice. He can’t be distracted by me.” My voice wavers at those words, and I think back to my conversation with his agent last night.
“Chase has so much potential,” Alexander tells me after Chase excuses himself to the bedroom to take a call.
I smile and nod. “He’s so talented. I’ve never seen anyone move like he does.”
“The first few years in the NFL are the hardest,” he informs me. “All eyes are going to be on Chase to see if he’s going to remain on his A-game. Distractions aren’t something he can risk having in his life.”
I tip my chin in agreement, but his words make me uneasy.
“I know the two of you are in love, but if you want Chase to be at his best, maybe you should consider letting him go. Obviously, he’ll be upset, but I’m positive you can convince him it’s for his own good. We all want Chase to succeed, and sometimes sacrifices have to happen.”
His words cut deep into my soul, making it hard to breathe. How the hell am I supposed to respond? Before I have the chance to form a sentence, Chase is back with a big grin.
“Sorry about that,” he apologizes. “It was one of my sponsors wanting to wish me good luck at the Combine.”
The smile I flash him is tight, but I’m trying not to let him know how affected I am by Alexander’s words. The truth is, I’ve been worried for a while about exactly what Alexander brought up.
Now, I feel selfish for not wanting to let Chase go.
“You’re not a distraction,” Victor states in a firm tone, bringing me back to the present. “You’re his boyfriend, not some fling. Yes, it’s going to be challenging, but if you both put your all into it, you can get through it. Besides, it will only be a year, then you can join him. You can practice law anywhere. With how smart you are, law firms all over the country are going to want you working for them.”
I take a shaky breath but shrug. “What if the distance is too hard on Chase, and he starts making mistakes? I can’t be the reason he fails.”
Sasha wraps his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. “Oh, sweetie,” he coos, and I can’t keep back the tears any longer. “Have you told him this is how you feel?”
I shake my head against his neck.
“This is a conversation the two of you must have,” Max voices.
“He’s just going to say something sweet and tell me not to worry,” I reply. “His agent told me I should break up with him.”
“Ex-fucking-cuse me?” Sasha blurts out.
“He said exactly what I’ve been afraid of. He told me sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”
Sasha growls, and I can feel the vibrations through his chest. “Oh, I’m going to fucking murder this guy.”
“You need to tell Chase about this,” Victor tells me. “That’s all kinds of fucked up. I know the guy is only worried about the money he makes off Chase and not what is best for him. You are what’s best for him! I sure as hell wouldn’t want someone like that representing me. I bet Chase won’t either.”
“Since you can’t talk to Chase until he gets back, maybe you should talk to Rio. He knows Chase better than we do. He’s also a college athlete, so maybe he’ll have better advice,” Max advises.
“That isn’t a bad idea. I love Chase too much to hurt him in any way, but football has always been his everything. I can’t be the reason he fails at that.”
My friends sit with me until I’m not afraid I will fall apart anymore. Eventually, I work up the courage to text Rio, and he invites me over.
I hope my friends are right, and talking with someone closer to Chase will give me more clarity.
“How’s it going?” Rio asks when he lets me in.
“Been better,” I murmur.
“Missing the big guy already?” he teases.
“Yeah, but I’m also worried.”
“What about?” he questions as we head to the couches.
“Alexander, Chase’s agent, told me to break up with him. He thinks I’m going to be too much of a distraction and affect Chase’s game. There is already going to be so much pressure on his shoulders. I don’t want to be the one who kills his dreams.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Rio shouts, startling me and causing me to jump a little. “Who the fuck does that guy think he is?” I’ve never seen him angry before, but he looks like he’s ready to murder Chase’s agent. “You have to tell Chase about that the second he gets back. I’ve always thought that guy was a weasel, but I never had any proof until now. He doesn’t care about Chase and his career or his life. He only cares about the money.”
“But don’t you think he’s right on some level? I am going to be a distraction,” I whisper.
Rio shakes his head. “You’re the opposite of a distraction to Chase. You’re his new finishing line. You’re the reason he gets up in the morning. He’s going to play his ass off in the NFL because of you. To make you proud. You make him a better player. He was high-ranked before the two of you started dating, but his ranking went up after. Each game you came to had him playing harder than he ever has. So, Alexander can get fucked with his backward way of thinking.”
I gasp, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. I wouldn’t have believed the words had they come from Chase, but Rio is a third party who doesn’t have as much invested in this as we do. He wouldn’t be saying these things if they weren’t true. He loves Chase as a brother and wants what’s best for him, just like I do. If he thought for even half a second that I truly was going to hurt Chase’s game, he would be siding with Alexander, but he’s not, so that has to mean something.
Rio grabs his phone off the coffee table and begins typing away harshly.
“Please tell me you’re not texting Chase right now,” I beg. “This really would be a distraction, and he doesn’t need that.”
“I’m not texting Chase,” he assures me. “I’m texting my agent.”
I don’t have time to ask why when his phone starts ringing.
“Hey, Cam, are you still taking on athletes?” Rio questions and goes silent while his agent responds. “Excellent. I’m not sure what my buddy’s contract looks like with his current agent, but this guy is a weasel. He needs somebody better. Do you think you could meet with him next week and help him out?” Again, he goes silent, and I wiggle in my seat awkwardly. “You’re the fucking best, man. I’ll talk to you soon.” Rio ends the call, smiling at me. “You’re almost a lawyer. Do you think you can find a way out of Chase’s contract for him?”
I can’t help but let out a dry laugh. “I can try,” I respond, a small bloom of hope forming in my chest.
I came over here thinking Rio would probably agree with Alexander, and I would have to break up with Chase. Now I feel like maybe I do have a future with the man I love.
We just have to get him away from the weasel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHASE
The Combine was amazing. I met so many cool people. It’s got me even more excited for the draft which is coming up faster than I thought it would. But even though I had a great time, I’m still excited to be on my way home to my man.
Rio sent me a text saying he and Gabe have a surprise planned for when I’m back, so I head straight to my apartment the instant I land after I say goodbye to Alexander, who’s been acting a little weird on our trip.
“Please tell me there is chocolate cheesecake,” I call out when I open the front door.
“Obviously, we aren’t monsters,” Rio states and gives me a bro hug. “How did the Combine go?”
“It was fucking amazing but step out of my way. I need to give my boyfriend an I-missed-you kiss,” I tell my friend, who laughs at me.
“You missed me?” Gabe questions. “That’s so sad because I didn’t even notice you were gone.”
I growl at him, pulling him into my arms in a swift motion. His eyes widen a little when his chest hits mine, his pouty lips parting slightly. “Don’t lie to me, baby. I know you too well by now. You missed me. Just admit it.”
“I will do no such thing,” he teases, lifting his chin in defiance.
I chuckle, then smash my lips to his. The second I do, he melts into me, his fingers digging into my back, pulling me as close as possible. He’s clinging to me like a baby koala, and I refuse to let him go until we’re both ready.
“Okay, that’s enough, you two. We’ve got things we need to discuss,” Rio says after a moment.
“And chocolate cheesecake,” I add, making Gabe snicker.
“You are an easy man to please,” my boyfriend states.
“What can I say? I’m a simple man. Give me my boyfriend, football, and chocolate cake. I couldn’t ask for more.”
“You forgot your family,” he adds.
“Oh yeah, them too.”
He shakes his head with a goofy grin. “You’re ridiculous, but I love you.”
“I love you too. Now let’s eat cake.”
We dish up our plates and then head for the living room. While we eat, I fill them in on what happened at the Combine. They nod with interest, but Gabe’s shoulders are stiff, which seems odd, but I push it aside for now.
“How did you guys manage without my awesome presence?” I ask once I’ve set my plate on the coffee table.
“It was okay,” Gabe murmurs. “But there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Anything,” I assure him.
He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, but it causes my heart rate to spike. What the fuck is he going to say? Please, God, tell me he isn’t going to break up with me.
“When you took that call the night before you left, Alexander told me to break up with you. He said I was only going to be a distraction to your game, and I believed him,” Gabe tells me, his breath hitching.
I see red. Why the fuck would Alexander say something like that? All I’ve been doing is saying how madly in love I am with Gabe, and my agent goes and pulls a stunt like this. He’s supposed to have my best interests at heart. If he thinks for one fucking minute that Gabe breaking up with me is a good thing, then he’s got this all wrong. It would be the worst thing that ever happened to me. I don’t want to live a life without the man who owns my heart.
“You are not a distraction to me, baby,” I finally tell Gabe when I feel like I can talk again without exploding.
“I know that now. Rio helped me see things clearer. I’m sorry I let my insecurities get the best of me.”
I pull him into my arms, holding him for a moment. “If you ever feel like that again, please come to me. I’ll spend every day reminding you what you mean to me if I have to. And even then, you wouldn’t be a distraction. I can love you and be the best football player possible at the same time, even if I’m drafted by a team on the other side of the country.”
All of us are silent for a while. I hate that Alexander would say something so fucked up like this. I don’t want a prick like that representing me anymore, but what the hell am I supposed to do? I have a contract with him, and those are usually hard to get out of.
“How am I supposed to work with Alexander now?” I voice my concern.
“You don’t,” Rio states like it’s that simple.
“You know it isn’t that easy,” I remind him, sounding like a grumpy asshole.
“Alexander owns his own company, right?” Gabe inquires.
“Yeah, he didn’t want to answer to anyone, so he was a lone agent for a while. I was actually one of the first athletes he started working for. Now he has a few people who work under him to help with new athletes.”
“Can I have a copy of your contract?” he requests. “I’m praying I can find a loophole, and you can get out from under him. I’m obviously not a lawyer yet, but I know a few who will help us once I find something we can stand on.”
I kiss the top of his head, hugging him tighter. “I fucking love you,” I whisper. “But then I still have to find a new agent, and it’s so fucking close to the draft. I’m not even sure that’s going to be possible.”
“I’ve got that covered for you, brother,” Rio pipes up. “My agent will be here tomorrow to talk to you. He’s an amazing guy and is more than eager to take you on if we can get you out of your current contract.”
Man, I’ve got the best people in my life. “Thank you,” I tell him, then kiss Gabe’s head again. “Both of you.”
Gabe pulls away, giving me a quick peck on the lips. “We are here for you. Now go grab that contract so I can start going through it. If he signed you early on, he might not have had the best lawyers to draw up an iron-clad contract. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there are a few ways we can get you out of this.”
The look of determination in his eyes has me believing there is still hope, so I rush to my bedroom to grab my laptop, where a copy of my contract is saved in a special folder.
Gabe takes the laptop from me and starts to read every single word.
“This looks like it’s going to take a while. Anyone want another piece of cake?” I ask, making my best friend and Gabe laugh.
Time feels like it’s dragging on as Gabe reads my contract. I’m lying on the couch, my feet in Gabe’s lap, staring at the ceiling, counting each dot of the popcorn coating. Heaven only knows how long has passed when Gabe finally shouts, “Yes!”
“Did you find something?” I ask, sitting up, careful not to knock the laptop over.
He nods, staring at my computer. “A clause was added stating that the agent will only discuss matters with outside parties with the athlete’s approval. Did he ask for your permission to talk to me?”
I shake my head. “Hell, fucking no, he didn’t.”
Gabe smirks. “I didn’t think so. He might be able to push back, claiming that talking to me isn’t the same as talking to a professional, but this gives us a leg up. I’m going to send this to my professor, who has already agreed to help us out if I find something. His son is also a lawyer and has offered to represent us if needed.”
“Tell him I’m willing to pay him too. I need out of this contract.”
He nods and sends off a text. It’s late, so I assume the guy won’t respond right away. But I’m pleasantly surprised when Gabe’s phone rings only a moment later.
“Sorry to bother you so late, Professor O’Callahan,” Gabe says when he answers the call, then explains what he found. Then, he sends my contract to his professor and son and sets up a meeting for tomorrow afternoon.
“Professor O’Callahan thinks we can easily get you out of this contract,” he tells me after he hangs up.
“Thank fuck,” I breathe out, pulling my boyfriend into my arms. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
“You are the lucky one,” he teases, and I nip at his neck for being sassy. “Professor O’Callahan requested that we send in your bank records when we meet with him and his son tomorrow. Especially for everything you’ve sent to Alexander.”
“I can supply those, no problem. Does he think Alexander was taking too much out?” I ask, and Gabe shrugs.
“There is a possibility. We just want to have all our boxes checked. It will be easier to shut him down if he’s done something fraudulent.”
I hate to think Alexander would rip me off, but now I’m praying he did. The draft is at the end of next month. I don’t have time to let this go through the courts.
Thankfully, I have a super smart boyfriend on my side and some amazing friends.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
GABRIEL
“According to your contract, Alexander’s fee is two thousand dollars a month plus twenty percent of all sponsorship deals,” Cam, Professor O’Callahan’s son, says while reading the papers.
“That’s right,” Chase replies.
“Then how come he’s taken out over triple that over the last year?” he questions, glaring at the bank records.
Chase and I both gasp. “What?”
“It started out small,” he points out, highlighting January’s withdrawal. “And got larger as the year went on, fluctuating here or there, I think, to make it look legit. Did you obtain random new sponsorships in those months?”
Chase shakes his head. “Not that I know of, and if I did, I didn’t see a penny of it.”
My heart races as I learn with Chase that Alexander was stealing from him. I knew the man was a slimy snake, but I didn’t think he was going to be this much of a piece of shit. Seriously, who fucking does this to people?
“That’s what I thought,” Cam mutters. “I’m going to send Alexander an email asking him to meet with us as soon as possible. I’ll make sure to put in lots of scary jargon so he doesn’t delay. Hopefully, we’ll be able to settle this in a timely manner. Do you want him to pay, or do you just want out of the contract?”
