Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Roll Tide!” She smiles. “Wow. You look good as hell in a suit.”
“Hey…What are you doing here?”
“As if I would ever let you do this alone.”
I step back. “What do you mean? This is just a meeting, Tully.”
“Oh, I know, but you’ve mentioned how excited you are about it, and how they have to pull out all the stops to impress you, so…” She loops her arm in mine and kisses my chest. “I figured that I should tag along and give you an unbiased point of view.”
“You hate football meetings, Tully.”
The smile on her lips gives that away.
“Okay, fine.” She laughs. “This is like, the last free Thursday I’ll have for a while so I decided that I’d rather come see you do this instead of going to Scarlett’s recital.”
“Scarlett has a recital today?”
“Yeah she’s playing the Nickel Panini Capeesh or something.”
“The Twenty-four Caprices by Niccolò Paganini?”
“Yeah, that.” She shrugs. “It sounds boring as hell no matter how you pronounce it.”
“Is your mother going to watch her?”
“Probably not.” She shakes her head. “This new Whimstery thing is going to take over our lives for a while, so she’s out auditioning stylists for me.”
I nod, still thinking about the fact that Scarlett has a recital today.
Why the hell didn't she tell me?
“You’re here a full hour early?” A guy in a crimson polo shirt and khakis walks up to us. “I’ve heard that Easton Rush is punctual, but damn, son.”
I force a smile as the guy extends his hand. “I can’t help it, sir.”
“Hey, me and Coach Saban will never ever complain about you being early,” he says. “And who is this lovely lady?
“His girlfriend.” Tully smiles. “Tully Crane.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Crane.” He shakes her hand. “I’ll be sure to show you where our guys’ girlfriends sit during the games and see if that impresses you. Would you two like something to drink before we begin?”
“Lemonade.” Tully speaks before I can tell him I’m good.
“Right this way.” He gestures for us to follow him.
“Mr. Vaughn, you should also know that I’m the one who you really have to impress today,” Tully says. “I’m the deciding factor in his decision.”
“I see…” He looks somewhat intimidated. “What schools are on your list, Miss Crane?”
“Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Florida.” She spouts off the three places that are dead last on my list. Three places that Scarlett and I have talked at length about and listed all the many reasons why they’ll never work for us.
“Us”…Why the hell didn’t she tell me about this damn recital?
“Well, I’m confident that when we’re done today, Alabama will blow all three of those schools out of the water, Miss Crane.” He holds a door open and I check the time.
It’s only nine the morning but it already feels like this day has gone on for far too long.
Three hours later
Tully is carrying a custom red Birkin bag that bears “Roll Tide” on the handles. Apparently, the staff keeps five of these thirty thousand dollar bags on hand for the top recruits every year, and of course, no one will ever mention anything about it.
We’ve been treated to brunch in the head coach’s office, shown around the stadium, and escorted through every inch of the state of the art practice facility.
“We pride ourselves on this state of the art spa,” the offensive coach says. “It’s ranked in the top three in the nation.”
“Who are the other two?” Tully asks.
“Wrong question.” He looks at her. “We’re ranked number one. We just try to sound humble every now and then.”
I smile. I already know that, just like I’ve already memorized the layout of this campus and all it has to offer thanks to me and Scarlett scoping it out this past summer.
“Do you have any questions for me, Mr. Rush?”
“Not right now,” I say “I’ll email you if I think of any, though.”
“Please do. What about you, Miss Crane?”
“Does the cheerleading squad travel with the football team?”
“Not on the college level, no,” he says, pausing. “But if you decide to continue your cheering career here and bring Mr. Easton with you, I’m sure we can discuss some personal travel arrangements on game day if you like.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
We need to end this arrangement a lot sooner…. “Thank you for the tour, sir,” I say. “I was impressed.”
“I hope so!”
I wrap my arm and Tully’s and escort her to the parking lot before she can say anything else.
13
ME
Dear Mr. Liasson,
I never told anyone about how you used to gently squeeze my ass or brush up against my breasts during those “mandatory” private practices in middle school. I didn’t know that wasn’t normal at the time, and if I could go back in time and report you, I would. Alas, I’m sorry that Ashley Ford’s father took the law into his own hands.