When I opened my door this morning, I thought the officers only wanted to question me. I expected them to show up days earlier and had warned Irvin about my encounter with Rachel Ward. I’m not stupid. I wasn’t going to hide this from him, and he told me not to answer any questions unless he was present.
Let me tell you, there is nothing like being cuffed and stuffed while the media is living outside your house. Being slammed up against my door, having my face pushed into the glass and my legs kicked apart, all while cameras are filming, is such a fucking blow to my ego. It would be one thing if I had done any of the shit I’m being accused of, but I haven’t. Not that my innocence seems to matter to anyone. I suppose I’m lucky that at least I was somewhat dressed, so I was saved from having my junk displayed all over the news.
As soon as Irvin is done speaking, he’s ushering me back into the courthouse. I glance briefly at Saylor, who has stepped back up to the podium. Sly move on her part, because she k
nows that I need to speak with her. She has to know her time for being silent is over. This situation is out of hand.
We’re led to a conference room where Jeffrey sits inside at the small table. He shakes hands with Irvin, and they both motion for me to sit down.
“I cut my vacation short for this shit, Kidd.”
“Next time, I’ll make sure my legal issues don’t fuck with your ability to get laid.”
He smirks, knowing all too well that I know what his vacations entail. Jeffrey pushes my contract and a pen over to me and asks me to sign the bottom. My signature allows him to start seeking a trade on my behalf.
“Before you sign, I think we should meet with Stone.”
“What for?”
“Let him know you’re disgruntled.”
I shake my head. “It’s going to be easier to let me go than replace multiple members of the team. Besides, it’s more than that. After this morning, the way the police treated me and this case, the people of Boston don’t trust me. Parents aren’t going to encourage their kids to get my autograph. My endorsement deals are going to start dropping. The stores are going to stop carrying my gear. I’m ruined here.” I leave out the part where I want to have a relationship with his employee, and she’s one of the reasons I’m leaving.
“They already are,” he says.
“Are what?” I ask.
Jeffrey slides another sheet of paper my way, a spreadsheet full of numbers. “This is what you earned last year,” he says, pointing to one column before moving to the one next to it. “And this is where you currently are with UA pulling their endorsement deal. I’m expecting Nike to follow suit later this afternoon,” he says, sighing.
“All because some dumb bitch is lying.”
He nods.
“This is why you want me to talk to Stone, isn’t it? You don’t think you can get me a good deal?”
He shakes his head. “Not after this morning. You’ll be a hard sell until you’re cleared.”
“Which should be next week,” Irvin adds.
“Which will be today,” I state.
“What do you mean?” Jeffrey asks.
“Travis has a witness who is reluctant to come forward. I’m giving him one more opportunity to try and convince her to do the right thing before I subpoena her to testify.”
“Good,” Jeffrey says. “Make sure she understands that she has no choice.”
“Meaning what?” I ask.
Jeffrey leans forward. “Meaning I can make her life hell if she isn’t willing to play ball.”
I want to slam his head down on the table and tell him to shut the fuck up, but he doesn’t know he’s referring to Saylor. She has said she could lose her job for being with me, if our time together ever came to light. That’s not my intention. The other factor, the one where she could go to jail—that is where Irvin will have to step in and protect her. I don’t want to hurt her, but I’m left without a choice, and it seems that my time is very limited.
Jeffrey and Irvin continue to talk about my contract and my declining endorsement deals while I watch the door, waiting for Saylor to come through. Even though she’s made it very clear that we aren’t together, seeing her still makes me happy, although I wasn’t expecting her to be at my arraignment this morning and she caught me off guard.
I’m sure the look I gave her made sure she knew exactly how I was feeling, because, honestly, this matter could’ve been cleared up weeks ago if she would have just told her side of the story.
Irvin offers lunch. I decline, but Jeffrey takes him up on his offer. I can’t imagine what those two are going to discuss while sitting in a restaurant with liquid courage running through their veins. Irvin is nice enough to have his driver take me home, though. It’s the last place I want to be after what went down there this morning, but I have no choice. I’m more alone now than I was after the first accusation.