The minute I step off the bus, I hear shouts and screaming. Chanting of STONE STONE STONE STONE fill my ears, making me raise my hand to the fans. I walk over to where the fans are and start signing autographs. This is why I do this, to see the fans. When I finally make my way over to the reporters, I’m surprised to see both Monica and her dad waiting for me. Her father comes up to me. “Stone,” he says. “Good to see you. Coach says you’re back and better than ever.” He slaps me on the back, smiling.
“Yup, ready for tonight, that’s for sure.” I can’t be a dick. He’s still my boss, and I want this year to go as smoothly as possible. Monica takes this opportunity to move into my side and walk with us to the first reporter. She stands by my side, listening, smiling, and laughing at everything I’m saying.
She tries to snake her hand into mine, but I quickly shake it out and put my hand in my pocket.
So far, nothing is out of the ordinary. Lots of questions about my rehab. Till we reach a reporter I’ve always had issues with. Always trying to make me say something about things I don’t want to talk about. It’s a known fact in the locker room and with reporters that I will talk about the game, but I am not talking about my private life. EVER.
So I’m shocked by his first question.
“So, Cooper, sources have said you’ve recently moved away from the arena to the small town where you trained all summer.”
I smirk at him. “Sources say many things. They also said I wouldn’t be able to play after having an early season last year.”
“Sources say a woman by the name of Parker trained you. What do you have to say about her and her training?”
“I trained at the same place Tom trained. He was actually the one who hooked me up with her. She knows what she’s doing, that is for sure. She is the best in the business. Her methods of training and her plans are what got me to where I am today. I will say she never let me off the hook. She pushed me harder and further than any other trainer I’ve been with.”
“Monica, we are all wondering, will you be moving in with Cooper at his new house or will you be staying local?”
Monica looks up at me smiling, making me almost glare at her. “It really hasn’t been decided. I do visit, but you know I have lots of work to do here. Planning a wedding isn’t easy.” She bats her eyes at me.
What the fuck did she just say? I don’t even skip a beat when he asks his next question.
“Will you guys wait till your break next season or get married before?”
“Excuse me,” I say, looking at her and her father. “There seems to be some confusion on everyone’s part. I’ll set the record straight now so we don’t have to dillydally and you know your sources won’t be confused on the topic.” I look at him, feeling Monica’s dad get tense next to me.
“Monica and myself have parted ways. We’ve actually parted ways even before last season was done. I will also say that this wedding she is planning is not a wedding that I will be attending. I wish her and her new fiancé all the luck in the world. And with that said, I can say that she isn’t going to be moving in with me at any time. It would make my girlfriend really uncomfortable having my ex-girlfriend over,” I say, looking at Monica while her face turns red, but I’m not done. “You guys know I don’t talk about my private life, but since it seems I need to set the record straight, I will say this. Parker, my girlfriend, will be here tonight cheering myself and my team on. I hope you guys catch her ‘cause she’s everything a man needs. Now, if you guys will excuse me, I have a game to prepare for.”
And with that, I walk away, pissed that they made me walk into that shit. I take out my phone, shooting my agent a text saying we need to talk. Right after I press send, I get a text from Matthew. After the last time, I have all the necessary contacts for Parker, Matthew, Meghan, and her father. So I’ll always be able to get in touch with her.
You pretty much destroyed Barbie on national television. Oh, by the way, we were watching.
I text him back with the only thing on my mind.
Is Mom okay?
She was pissed, and I will say she and Aunt Meghan are having martinis, so I don’t know how the rest of the night will be. But she seemed to calm down after you left the reporter asking Monica who her new fiancé is.