Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I love my job.” I frown a little, realizing for the first time that it’s absolutely, unequivocally the truth. “I understand that at twenty-seven, I’m not much older than the players. Hell, some are a little older than me, but they’re respectful.”
“That’s because you’re fucking good at what you do, and they respect you for it. Age doesn’t matter.”
“It can matter. We get along well, and I think we’ve hit a good stride. But I have moments of imposter syndrome.”
“You’re doing a hell of a job. We’re happy with the performance of the quarterbacks. There’s always room for more training, but you’re having a great season. Shake off the doubt. It won’t serve you in this position.”
“I was surprised when the plan changed, and I was offered the quarterback coaching position rather than defense.”
“But you never wanted defense,” he points out. “That’s what you did because it was available at the time.”
“I just wanted to work in football,” I admit with a shrug. “Hell, I’d just mow the field if that was all I could get. So, yeah, this is my dream job, and I’m damn grateful for it. Now, why do I feel like I just got an A on my report card?”
Will grins. “Because you did.”
“Does this mean I get a raise?”
“Next year.” He winks and stands. “Go home, Drew. I know you’ve been here since five this morning.”
“I had shit to do.”
“Go home,” he repeats and turns for the door. “It’s going to get busier this week. Get out of the office for a while.”
And with that, he walks out of my office, whistling as he makes his way to the elevator to head back up to his own office, which happens to be about four times the size of mine, with a killer view.
Of course, he’s earned that.
I think of the paperwork I still have to work my way through. The training schedules to assign, and the performance evaluations to study.
And then I decide that Will’s right. It’s Tuesday, and as the week progresses, we’ll only get busier as we approach game day.
So, I grab my keys, lock my office, and make my way down to the garage where my new-to-me Jeep awaits.
I had my cousin, Keaton, work his magic on fixing up a vintage two-door Jeep for me. Sure, I can afford a new one, but this one is just…cool.
And with Keaton’s help, it’s extra cool.
But now that we’re into November, I’ve had to put the doors and roof back on, closing it up in an attempt to stay warm in the winter, which means that it’s still drafty.
I love Seattle, but winters are long and wet here.
I’ll have to garage the Jeep for the winter and break out the Range Rover I bought when I got my first check from the team.
I know it’s cliché to get a big check and then immediately buy a car, but I didn’t give a shit.
After leaving the parking garage, I head toward home but then reconsider. I love my new condo. It’s right on Lake Washington, with a great view, and it’s less than half a mile from the training facility and headquarters for the team. It doesn’t get any more convenient for work.
But I don’t want to be alone this afternoon. I’m used to living at what my family affectionately refers to as the Cousin Compound, where it’s always a hive of chaos. Full of friends and music and chatter.
My room was back in the former guesthouse, so I had privacy when I wanted it. But I always knew that family was nearby.
It’s not that I regret moving out. Not at all. But sometimes, you don’t want to be alone with your own thoughts.
So, I hit the freeway and make my way over to Alki Beach, on the western shore of Seattle. A few years back, the parents bought the house next door to the original one so they could open up the yards and make it a true compound for all the cousins. I don’t know what they’ll do when everyone is off and living their own lives, but that will be a while yet.
Because we have so many celebrities in the family, the parents thought it would be safest to have the cousins live together, with a lot of over-the-top security, thanks to Uncle Will and his OCD about such things. And, of course, the cousins didn’t complain.
It’s a sweet setup, with a pool and plenty of space. It’s basically a Montgomery fraternity.
What’s not to like about that?
But when I park and go inside, I frown because I don’t hear any voices. It’s still and feels completely empty.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s always someone here.”
I walk out the back door, intending to cross the backyard to the other house to have a look around, but I swing by the guesthouse, just in case.