Page 72 of High Notes & Hail Marys

@FOOTBALLCHIPS_OFL:Who’s got eyes on GoGo Heller? The Cyclones WR was seen storming out of a Vegas draft party, cursing a blue streak. Some of his companions, who spoke under the condition of strict confidentiality, say that he was PISSED about Miami’s choice of Nyko Waters (WR - USC) as a CONT…

@FOOTBALLCHIPS_OFL:first-round pick. The owners of the casino didn’t comment on reports that Heller broke a glass door in his dramatic exit from the private event space. Our source says that Heller had “partied hard… I mean, really hard” and that s/he hoped GoGo wasn’t driving. CONT…

@FOOTBALLCHIPS_OFL:Heller’s antics have kept him in the news nearly nonstop lately, inviting comparisons to such historic gridiron bad boys as Johnny Manziel and Antonio Brown. What will he get up to next?

***

“How’s London?” Peter asks.

“I’m actually in Vienna,” you say. “And, other than it being five in the afternoon and me being cooped up inside the hotel, it’s pretty freakin’ great.”

“Austria. Very nice,” Peter nods. “You lucky bastard. It’s only eight in the morning here. I’ll have you know that I battled rush hour traffic to get inearlyso I could talk to you at a respectable time”

You gaze up at the ceiling. The plaster is carved in intricate fans and swirls. Very fancy. The whole hotel is over-the-top luxurious, with velvet and embossed wallpaper everywhere. Lots of polished gold-toned fixtures. There’s only an hour before you need to get to the stadium for Sterling’s final Viennese show, and then you two can return to London. For all the other stops except Lisbon, Sterling—and, by extension, you—are commuting in his plane. But you spent some extra time in Austria, and, besides, the flight is just over two hours.

“To what do I owe the honor, Pete?” you ask, despite the fact that you have a pretty good idea.

On the other end of the line, Peter pumps his fist.

“Free agency, baby!” he says, with way too muchpep for someone who probably woke up before the sun. The Los Angeles sun, which is, as usual, doing the most, all showy and golden over Pete’s shoulder. “Are you hyped?”

“My hype is contained at the moment,” you say. “What do you have for me?”

“Several inquiries,” he says. “All very promising…”

“...But?”

“But, I think you can do better. And, despite what you might believe, I know that you want to stay in Miami. I’m being respectful of that. I’ve been reviewing the market on your position. And I’ve got to say, Kaius, I think you’re either the top agent, or damn close to it. In terms of leveraging your performance, you couldn’t have done better. DPOY would have been a great feather in your cap, but I feel like that will come. You have strong relationships in Miami and a very favorable public image. You hold all the cards, my friend.”

“What has Miami said?”

“They are hemming and hawing about franchise tags and contract structure. You’re not the only person they need to lock down, and I know they have some salary cap issues in the next few years. Make no mistake—they want to hold onto you. They’ve got mad love. Plus, they just re-signed Covelli to a monster deal last year, and I know that keeping you makes him happy. I’m just not surethat they are going to deliver you the payday that you deserve. The max numbers.”

You hold a hand up.

“Lemme stop you there, Pete.”

He groans.

“I know what you are going to say…” he starts.

“Then let me say it. I’m happy in Miami. I want to see us go all the way. We keep sniffing the ring, and I know we’re gonna get it if we keep reaching. Also, I don’t like the idea that I might be more valuable to anyone because of my relationship.”

Peter laughs shortly.

“Is that what’s got you tied in knots?” he asks. “The idea that teams might want you because you’re Missus Sterling Grayson?”

You don’t give him the satisfaction of a response.

“Okay,” he says. “Let’s break this down, shall we? Do the Cyclones make bank every time your boyfriend shimmies over to the Hard Rock and cheers you on in the box? Sure, they do. But NFA teams aren’t writing deals based on that, Kai. You guys could break up tomorrow, which would bebadpublicity. Maybe… just humor me, here… maybe everyone’s beating down my door because you’re a generational talent. Your modesty is kind of annoying, honestly. We gotta break you of all thatshit. You aren’t a rookie anymore.”

“Are you done?” you ask archly. “Is there a point here? Or did you just call to bust my ass?”

“Oh, there’s a point, my friend.” Pete points at the camera, his smile reaching all the way to his eyes. “I’ve got one word for you: Tennessee.”

“Tennessee?”

“Yes, Tennessee. Good ol’ Volunteer State. Little team called the Goliaths. You heard of ‘em?”

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