“Honestly, I think a handful of them have the talent to play at the next level. A couple may be playing on Sunday if they continue to improve, but some are marginal division-one talents,” he said.
I was glad he wasn’t sugarcoating it.
“The final suggestion I would give you is to drop Range Sports. No one wants to admit it, but the shoe companies hold a lot of power in college athletics. Notre Dame just signed a big deal with Under Armour. If that’s where you want to go to school, start wearing their products, including everything from shoes to helmets, to jocks. You’ll have to wear them once you get to college anyway.”
He could see that concerned me. I made a good living wearing Range Sportswear.
“David, it’s the dirty little secret that really isn’t a secret. Being part of big-time sports means you have to do certain things. I just don’t want the Nike police to come down on you. Calls will be made and certain programs will back off on recruiting you.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“If you need advice about anything, or just want to talk, let me give you my cell number,” he said, taking my phone and putting his number in it.
The sneaky guy called his phone with mine so he could capture my number. I never gave recruiters my personal cell number. Kendal had a cell dedicated to the number that went out to the world. He knew I knew what he was up to, but I was impressed that he did it with a smile.
“I’ll let you share the good news with Teddy and Cynthia. I think it’ll make their day.”
“Of course, we never met here,” he warned with mock sternness.
“You want me to call your cell so you have deniability?” I asked.
“You are a devious one. I need to get you involved in recruiting. Do you want to call John and give him the news?” he said, to change the subject from him stealing my cell number.
If only he knew how devious I could be because my mom had taught me well. I knew how to block numbers.
“I like you already, Coach. That’s an excellent plan. It’ll be like an early Christmas present for me,” I said, referring to calling John Phillips and teasing him.
I went into one of the bedrooms and called John.
“How’s my favorite valet?” I asked as a greeting.
“Bite me, dork. Why are you bothering me right now? My parents are here to take me home.”
“Oh, goody. Put me on speaker phone,” I begged.
“Why?” he asked suspiciously.
“I have news I want to share.”
I could hear him grumble, and then I was on the speaker.
“I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and give you some news. I was just talking to Coach Styles about John. He said he was working hard, and that he was impressed with the development of his upper-body strength. Coach told me that in a couple of years, when I start, John’ll be ready to carry my bags.”
“Yeah, right, I heard you were committed to State,” John shot back.
“Well, that’s now old news. I pulled my commitment to State and declared I have serious interest in Kentucky just five minutes ago.”
“Funny one, you’re just pulling my chain now,” John said.
“Hang on ...” I said.
I went out and interrupted a champagne toast. I handed the phone to Coach.
“John wants to congratulate you.”
“John, Coach Styles ... yes, we’re all excited ... I have some boosters I need to talk to, here’s David.”
I took the phone and went into the bedroom.
“You better start working out harder. I’m coming,” I teased him.
“I really hope you end up coming here. I think we’ll have a good time,” John said, being more serious.
“I do, too, John. You have a good holiday, and I’ll call you after the first of the year.”
I hung up and looked at the clock. I needed to get downstairs to meet the girls.
I SAW HARPER RIGHT away. She was in a sleek silver dress that was perfect for her build. It must have cost a fortune, but it looked like it was made just for her. Then I saw Sarah. She had on a black pencil skirt with a matching black blouse with spaghetti straps. She obviously didn’t have a bra on. Sarah looked like the fashion model she was. The twins wore matching little black dresses, making it impossible to tell them apart.
Sarah saw me first and met me with a warm kiss. Harper had trouble brewing in her eyes, and I could tell I was in trouble later tonight as she gave me a sweet kiss on the cheek. Next was Lisa who stuck her tongue down my throat. I knew it was Lisa because Missy would never do something like that in public. I noticed there was a small string on the side of Lisa’s dress. I was going to have fun because I could now tell them apart. Missy gave me a nice kiss. I ushered them all into the bar, and we found a table.
When the server came over, the girls all ordered mixed drinks. I was surprised when the server didn’t bat an eye. I ordered an iced tea and a couple of appetizers since I was hungry. Our drinks were soon brought and Harper squeezed my hand under the table. I’d missed my vibrant friend.
“I hear you’re doing a photo shoot for Range Sports,” Sarah said.
“That’s where I’m going tomorrow. I’ll be working for the next week. I haven’t really gotten any details as to what I’ll be doing, but it always seems to be fun.”
“What are you doing in LA?” Lisa asked.
“I have a script read-through for my movie. The whole cast will be there. The director explained that it would give him a chance to share his vision, and give us an opportunity to get to know each other. My agent told me there might be some parties. I’m excited to find out what all’s involved.”
“Have you been doing any work this fall, besides what we did?” Sarah asked.
“Not much, because I put everything on hold during football season. Speaking of which, I just put Kentucky as the lead school for my recruiting today.”
“That should make the Wesleyan clan happy,” Harper snorted.
It was no secret they were major backers of Kentucky. I was hoping they might invite me to a basketball game. Kentucky always seemed to be nationally ranked.
The girls caught me up on school. They asked about Tami. I was curious why she hadn’t been keeping in touch. I’d assumed she was good friends with Missy and Harper. Missy told me today was the first time Tami had called since she’d left for the UK, and I could tell Missy and Harper weren’t very happy with her. I decided to stay out of it.
The appetizers came when it was time to go. I was disappointed in how slow the service had been, and we ended up just leaving them. When we arrived at the ballroom, I wished I’d never ordered them. There was plenty to nibble on.
Missy and Lisa each grabbed an arm and guided me around to meet people. Many of the girls I knew from past parties. I guess word had spread I was there because I was in demand. I noticed Missy and Lisa would take me to a group, and let me go so I could talk to them. When I was done, they would switch sides. If it weren’t for the thread, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart. They were frustrated their normal scheme wasn’t working.
Finally, an exasperated Lisa called me on it.
“How are you telling us apart?” she asked.
I raised my eyebrows.
“I’ve seen you both naked. Wouldn’t you think I could tell you apart?”
They looked at each other and then back at me. They weren’t buying it. I just gave them a cryptic smile. I didn’t expect them to start tickling me.
“Hey!” I complained.
“Tell us, or we’ll tickle you until you do,” Missy threatened.
“Okay, okay, Missy is cuter,” I lied.
“Get him,” Lisa said.
“Stop!” I said, as I tried to fight them off.