Page 107 of Keeper
“What, Pete?”
“Well, er, she’s threatening to make your life hell.”
“Uh huh. And how would she do that, exactly?”
“I don’t know, Tanner, but she sounds pretty convinced she can stir up some serious trouble for us. You know she’s got well over a million followers on Instagram, right? If she’s actually got something like she says she does, this could beverybad for business. After the season you’ve had, the last thing we need heading into free agency is anything evencloseto resembling a sex scandal. In today’s climate, GMs are terrified of bringing negative attention like that to their team and to themselves.”
“Wait. Marta said she has something on me?”
“She hinted at it, yeah,” he said.
“Did she say what it was?”
“No. All she was willing to tell me is that she has something big, something you wouldn’t want to get out. Do you haveanyidea what she might be talking about?”
I went silent while I mulled it over—then it came to me.
“Hm. I guess she has a dick pic of mine.”
“You sent Marta a dick pic? Why would you do that?” he asked, shocked.
“No, I didn’t send it to her.”
“Then how’d she get it?”
“Apparently, I used to hook up with a friend of hers, and Marta got it from her.”
“So she does have something on you after all, then. That means we need to take these threats very seriously. Please, Tanner, do the right thing and just get her those photos as soon as possible.”
My face soured at the thought of appeasing Marta, especially after everything she’d done to Ainsley.
“I really don’t want to do that, Pete,” I said. “And hell. It’s not like I’d be the first pro athlete to have a dick pic posted on the internet if she really wanted to go nuclear on me.”
“Instead of worrying about what she might or might not do, why don’t we just give her what she wants? That way, Marta gets to post her precious photos, we get the free publicity from her Instagram following, and everyone goes home happy—just like we planned from the beginning. Most importantly, you don’t get any negative press, so there’s nothing standing between you and that big contract in the off-season. It’s a win-win all around, Tanner.”
“It’s actuallynota win for me,” I said, “because I don’t want those pictures from the shoot posted, period. If that means Marta’s going to blast my dick all over the internet to get back at me, then fine, I don’t give a fuck. But I don’t think it’s right to post pictures of me with another girl when Ainsley’s my girlfriend now. Besides, those two have beef going back to their high school days, which is what this isreallyabout:Marta’s trying to drive a wedge between me and Ainsley with those photos. So no, Pete. I’m not going to give her what she wants. No photos for Marta. Hard no.”
“Please, Tanner.I implore you to start thinking clearly,” he said, exasperated. “Think about the long term, like I’m always telling you. If Marta gets us into some kind of PR nightmare, she could very well drive your contract value down this summer. Sit your girlfriend down and reason with her. Make her understand that her silly high school drama could come at the cost of your long-term financial security. Which is more important to her? She’ll choose correctly. And if shedoesn’t, if she puts her petty, personal drama over your career, then I think you know what kind of girl you’re dealing with and what needs to be done.”
My nostrils flared. “I don’t like what you’re implying about my girlfriend.”
“Think about it like this, then,” he continued. “How much is this silly catfight worth toyou? Are you willing to give up a million per year? Two mil? More, maybe—who knows? There’s no telling how much money you might lose out on if we play this wrong.”
I stood outside the locker room. Through the doors, I could hear the boys’ banter. I lowered my voice so they wouldn’t hear me.
“You’re starting to piss me off, Pete,” I growled through gritted teeth. “I’m telling you, I really like this girl. She’s worth fighting for.”
“I understand you’re infatuated with her right now. But trust me, Tanner, girls come and girls go.”
“What, and money doesn’t?”
“Not if you play your cards right. That’s what I’m trying to help you understand: your money can last you a lifetime. Don’t destroy your earning potential over a girl youjustmet.”
“Some things in life are more important than money,” I said.
“Tell that to your girlfriend,” he replied dismissively.
I clenched my fist. “Are you trying to say she’s shallow? You think she’s after my money?”
