Page 38 of Dirty Player

It’s a Saturday for god's sakes.

He’s the director of marketing for Ward Enterprises. One day he’ll be the CEO, but when Dad recently stepped back into semi-retirement, he told Knox he needed more experience.

I know it was hard for my big brother to hear but now he has a wife and child, with no doubt more on the way, so it allows him some work-life balance.

Although he is a workaholic.

All of us are in a way.

Atlas did work for the company as a senior designer but recently surprised all of us by resigning and starting his own fashion label.

Not to compete. That would be nonsensical as a major shareholder. He told us he’s targeting men in their twenties. Street wear. Stuff that I’d wear, I guess.

I’m not business-minded like my father and brothers, but I feel like the companies will merge one day if he’s a success. Given that Atlas won a design award recently, it’s highly likely he will be.

Plus, he’s a Montgomery.

We always win.

Just as the Hawkes have won every game for the past month.

We’re headed to Houston next week to play their team, the Tigers.

They have traded some talented players this season so it could be a tough one.

“Them? Get off my back? Highly unlikely.” I laugh.

“You need to date,” Atlas tells me.

“He needs to focus on the game. There is plenty of time for women after he wins his first Super Bowl,” Dad says, carrying in a huge plate from the grill.

No fucking pressure.

“How many do you think he’s going to win?” Atlas sits down beside me, and Dad takes his place at the head of the table.

“All of them.” He smiles at me.

Fucking hell.

Sometimes being part of such a high functioning family of successful people is a curse. Sometimes it is a blessing.

I wouldn’t say there’s an unhealthy attitude because Dad also taught us that losing is part of the journey and where you learn the most.

But.

Apparently not when it comes to football.

I sometimes wonder if he is aware of the pressure it puts me under. Him. The media. The team. The fans.

Jackson was right that night. It is so much harder than college football.

I love it.

But every day the pressure is on my shoulders.

I wonder if it gets easier with each season, and if I’ll get to play another year. And another year after that.

“Yeah, okay. Thanks for believing in me, but you know the Hawkes have only won once before in 2017, right? And lost twice.”

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