Page 21 of Scoreless Nights

Cruz

“We’ll be holding a dinner here in Miami on Friday,” the representative from Archer Athletics was saying while I stared out the window of the office we were in. I had a great view of the field, and wished I was down there instead of all dressed up in a meeting. “You will need to be there. Bring a date.”

That got my attention. “A date?”

“A date.” He looked stern as he tapped a stack of papers on the table like a teacher about to grade them. “The executives take you more seriously when they think you are the commitment type. Mr. Archer pays attention to those small details.”

“Commitment?”Smalldetails?

“Not really a commitment,” my agent, Silas, cut in and patted the back of my hand to calm me down. “It's just an image thing. Get a beautiful woman to escort you. People do it all the time. No one is going to ask you to marry her for the contract.”

Leaning back in the chair, I was a little bit angry that they expected me to bring a date. It wouldn’t be a problem to ask Erin, but I hated the idea anyway. At least with her, there was the added bonus that she wouldn’t ask for more than a thank you.

“Fine,” I agreed, already finding Erin’s name in my phone.

“I’ll email you any final details. Silas, Cruz, thank you so much for this meeting.”

When we were left alone, Silas stood up and started laughing at my unfortunate situation. “You’ll be okay. I’m sure a million women would love to hang out with you for a night. You always seem to find one to fuck around with.”

“If everyone thinks I’m dating someone, the pool of available women to fuck around with will diminish.”

“You poor, oversexed, superstar.”

Hell, even I laughed at his sarcasm. I knew I was being ridiculous, I just hated being told what I should and shouldn’t do when it came to women. Or any part of my personal life.

Silas left me alone at the big table and went off to his next meeting, which was what I should have done as well. We had a team meeting in five minutes, but there was something I had to do first.

Tapping on Erin’s name, I brought up a new text thread.

I have a thing and need a date.

I’m almost ready to vomit waiting for you to suggest it be me.

You know I don't want to do this at all. But Archer Athletics is requesting I have a date.

Which night?

Friday, 6 days from now.

Let me check my schedule.

Later.

I’m going back to sleep.

It's nearly noon.

If you can’t understand that I don’t give a fuck, then I’m not sure you’re the one for me.

Fine. Be lazy. Let me know, though. Okay?

She signed off with a thumbs up icon, which easily translated to “fuck you” so I started thinking of a backup plan.

Before heading down to my team meeting, I decided to call Deon, my cousin. He kind of owed me one, and it wouldn’t hurt to see if he knew of someone that could help me out.

“Hey Cuz,” he greeted. “You miss me?”

“You live across town,” I laughed. “Am I supposed to miss you?”

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