Page 34 of Go Deep

My phone buzzes. I grab it out of my pocket, stab the accept button, and hold it to my ear. “Castro.”

“Vinnie, it’s Will.”

My eyes flicker over to my dad. He hangs his head over the vegetables and rubs his temples.

“Hey, Coach, it’s been awhile. You calling about your mid-year financial review?”

Will Ames is the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. I’ve known him for years, ever since I set foot on that field as a freshman.

“Nah,I trust you with all that. You know I hate that finance shit. There’s something else I want to talk to you about.”

“Shouldn’t you be on the field with your guys preparing for their first game this weekend?”

“That’s why I’m calling. I spoke to ESPN and told them I wanted to have alumni sportscast the game. I want you here, Vinnie. I know it’s short notice, but it’d mean so much to everyone if you came. Can you make it?”

Shit. It’s definitely short notice, and I’ll have to reschedule a business dinner, but this guy is part of the reason why I made it to the NFL. I’d do anything for the guy. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Great. The team will love it, the boosters will go crazy. I appreciate you making the time.”

“Who else are you planning to get?”

“Gabe Kelly. You know him, right?”

“Yeah. I graduated way before he started.” The stress knot is back at the base of my neck, throbbing harder with each second that passes. “But we’ve run into each other recently.”

“Having you guys together would be fantastic. You’re a legend, and he’s?—”

“Relevant.” I let out a dry chuckle.

“Vinnie, cut the shit. You’ll always be a superstar.”

“You’re the superstar. Headed for the playoffs again, for the tenth straight year.”

“Eh, it’s not me. The guys do all the work.”

“And you bring all the heart.”

“I try. I’ll see you on Saturday. Thanks again, Vinnie.”

“Who was that?” Dad looks up from his plate. The purplish stains underneath his eyes seem to have gotten deeper since my phone call. His face looks drawn, deep lines etched into his forehead.

“Will Ames. He was calling to ask if I’d guest sportscast the Ohio State game on Saturday.”

Dad nods. “It would be great to get you back in the spotlight again. I’m sure Bob Sinclair would approve. Could be good for your business. I’m sure you can slip something in?—”

“I’m not going there to promote the company. I’m going to support my coach and alma mater.”

“You always have to think big. Take every opportunity to shine a light on what you do best. Perception becomes reality. People need to look at you and see?—”

“No.” I grip the back of the chair and squeeze it tight.

“No, what?” His brows furrow.

“No, they don’t need to see me as anything other than a sports fan who had a short-lived football career. I don’t want to be under a microscope. I want to live my life without having to worry about a façade. Doesn’t that shit get exhausting, Dad?”

His spine stiffens. “I always portray an image of success. If I believe it, so will everyone else. And that means taking advantage of every opportunity to showcase my achievements. You should take a page out of my playbook.”

“I’m going to the game as a favor to a friend, not because it’ll give me a platform to pimp out my company. My record speaks for itself. I get plenty of the right business because my clients spread the word about the money I make them.”

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