CHAPTER 71

Two hours later I was at thirty three thousand feet in the huge jumbo jet headed to California. For the first time in my life, I felt truly alone, hollow and empty. My plane arrived in Los Angeles at one o'clock, and my driver was waiting for me outside the terminal. As we pulled out of the holding area, I received a text message on my phone, I answered it quickly, hoping it was from Ashley. I recognized the number as Courtney's, I paused for a second, realizing the error I had made. I had forgotten to call her and tell her goodbye, I felt awful. I opened the text, my eyes adjusted to the small screen. It was a short simple message.

If you must go,

Then I wish you love,

You'll never walk alone,

Take care my love,

I'll miss your love.

I read the words, over and over, very simple, yet so powerful. The realization hit me hard, my stomach sinking quickly, a huge lump forming in my throat. The same heartbreak I was feeling leaving Ashley, was what Courtney was feeling this very moment, several thousand miles away. I felt the tears run down my face, as I closed the phone, how could I have forgotten to call Courtney ?

It was a quick trip across town to the San Diego training facility, we were there in less than thirty minutes. I was amazed at the intense amount of traffic on the roads, I was so used to small town life. As I entered the lobby of the team's offices, I was overwhelmed at the sheer massiveness of the facility. The entry was lined in trophies and awards, pictures of past teams and players adorned the walls. I was greeted by a very pretty, young lady who was seated at the reception desk.

"How may I help today ?", she said, with a pretty smile.

"I am supposed to report here today, to uh … Coach Reed. I am Brian Stevens.", I told her.

"Oh Mr. Stevens, they are expecting you. Please take a seat, I will call someone to get you.", she replied.

She dialed a number and spoke to someone quickly, then hung up and told me they would be with me in a moment. Several minutes later, Coach Reed came through the huge double doors, a smile on his face.

"Brian, welcome, welcome. How was your flight ?", he asked, shaking my hand.

"Just fine Coach, thank you.", I answered.

He asked me to follow to his office and we both moved through the double doors to the back. There was a maze of hallways and offices that were all occupied by several people. We finally arrived in Coach Reed's office, a massive room, which was decorated much like the entry area, with memorabilia of past seasons. I sat down in one of the two huge chairs that faced the desk. Coach reed picked up the phone and made two calls asking both parties to meet him immediately in his office. Several moments later, I was introduced to Coach Mike McCluskey, who was the head coach and Dean McKinney, who was the head trainer. Both seemed excited to see me, we talked for close to thirty minutes. They had arranged a press conference for four o'clock, so they ushered me towards the media room. Coach Reed warned me that the questions would come fast and furious, the media had little heart. He also told me he would sit at the table next to me, and if at any time I felt uncomfortable about a question, tap his foot with mine and he would intervene.

He opened the door and I stepped into a large room with dozens of tables and chairs set up, a podium with a large table at the front of the room. I was led up to the large table that was draped in the team's colors, a microphone in front of each chair. Several people were already snapping photos as we walked up the steps and sat down. Coach McCluskey leaned forward and began the press conference.

"Ladies and Gentleman, please may I have your attention. We all know why we are here, so let's get right to it. It gives me great pleasure to present to you, this year's first round draft choice, Brian Stevens.", he finished.

By the time Coach had muttered the last word, dozens of people started yelling questions at once, I had no idea who to address first. I looked over at Coach Reed, who leaned over and whispered in my ear to just point to one at a time. I pointed to a man right in the front, who seemed to get the jump on everyone.

"Brian, were you surprised that you were picked this early in the first round , I mean truthfully your name was never mentioned as a possible first round pick ?", he asked.

"Yes sir, I was surprised. I had talked to a couple of teams and we really thought it would be an early to mid second round pick at best.", I answered.

"Brian, is it true that you're going to be converted from defensive end to tight end ? Do you really think you can pull that off ?", another guy in the second row said.

"I am willing to do anything it takes to make this team. If Coach thinks I can do it, then I can do it.", I replied.

"No offense Brian, several basketball players have made that transition, but never a defensive end. What makes you think you can be the first ?" , a pretty blonde lady asked.

"Well….. My Father always told me, if you outwork the guy next to you, every time, all of the time, eventually someone will notice. I try to do that every day, hopefully I can do it here.", I responded.

"Brian, you are listed at six foot seven and two hundred and seventy five pounds, give or take. Is that accurate ?", another reporter asked.

"Yes sir, that's fairly close.", I answered.

For the next twenty minutes or so, I answered question after question until the room became pretty much quiet. One of the coaches asked before they wrapped up the conference did anyone else have any questions. One young brunette in the second to last row stood up and smiled before speaking ?

"Brian this is non-football related, but um.. do you have a girlfriend back home ? I'm sure the eligible ladies out here want to know.", she inquired.

The entire room exploded into laughter, it was the first light moment of the news conference. Once everyone regained her composure, I leaned into the microphone to answer.

"I kinda dated a really nice girl back home, we are really good friends, but nothing serious. I guess you can say I am unattached.", I replied, quietly.

With that the news conference ended and I was led back to the office where someone from my agency was waiting for me. I was asked to report to the training facility the next morning at nine o'clock sharp, I then left with the agency driver. I was driven downtown to the main office of my agent, then escorted to the fifteenth floor. The offices were quite impressive to say the least, I saw at least a dozen famous athlete's photos displayed on the wall in just the main lobby. I informed the receptionist at the main desk I was there to see Dave Phillips, she asked me to take a seat until he was ready. A few minutes later, a stunning brunette who introduced herself as Mr. Phillips' secretary came out and greeted me, asking me to follow her to his office. I walked down the long wide hallways, amazed at the number of employees that this firm had on hand. I was led into Mr. Phillips office, he was engrossed in a phone call, it seemed to be quite heated. I sat down in one of the large chairs, his secretary sat down in the other. He wrapped up the phone call, then turned and faced me.

"Hi Brian, it's good to see you, how was the press conference ?", he asked.

"It was ok, I guess, I was extremely nervous.", I admitted.

"Don't sweat it, it will become routine after a while.", he shot back.

"This is Carmella, my assistant and right hand. She does everything for me, I would be lost without her. She will take care of you until we get a contract signed. I am already working with their GM on a deal, I think it's going to be pretty easy, we should get you signed soon." he stated.

"I have a meeting to go across town, Carmella will get you settled, anything you need you call her anytime, day or night.", he said, leaving the room with a wave.

Carmella then opened a large envelope and pulled the contents out, laying them on the desk. She was a gorgeous woman, who was impeccably dressed, her scent was intoxicating.

"Ok Brian, here is your credit card, it has a twenty thousand dollar balance on it for now. I put up the money from our general fund, anything you spend will be deducted from your signing bonus. I have you booked into the Hampton Arms Hotel which is only a few blocks from the training facility. In a week or so, we will team you up with a real estate agent who can find you an apartment or condo down the road. I have a car waiting at the rental service for you, it's on us until you can get your own. Any questions ?", she ended.

"Uh, I guess not. Thanks for everything.", I replied, completely overwhelmed.

"Just one thing Brian, remember you are contracted with this agency, you can make no public appearances, you can accept no endorsements without checking with us first. If there is any doubt in your mind as to the validity of an offer, call me first Ok ?", she asked.

"Yes mam, I will.", I answered.

I was then taken to the car rental service where a beautiful new tan SUV was waiting for me. I signed the papers, then followed my driver to the hotel, where I checked in. He left me there, once again making sure I knew to call the agency if I had any questions. I was taken to my room, where I unpacked and settled in. I quickly called Ashley, told her everything that had happened and gave her the number to the hotel. I then tried to reach Courtney, but she was unavailable, so I left her a voice message. I went to bed early that night to be fresh for the next day.

I arrived at the practice facility over an hour early and was in the weight room checking out the equipment when the trainer came in. I could tell he was surprised to see me so early, but we got started the right way. He put me through a two hour workout, most of it pretty routine, I had done many of these exercises before. He recorded both weight and reps done on each station, before finally telling me we were done for the day. He slapped me on the back as we were exiting the weight room.

"Brian, I have to say, I am very impressed. You're a lot stronger than I was led to believe, you're also in great shape. I can tell you have put the time in getting ready.", he said, sincerely.

"Thank you sir.", I answered.