I snorted and glanced at Vanessa before I responded. “I apologize to you for my tone, but in my defense you shoved a mic in my face and asked a flawed ass question two seconds after a loss that shouldn’t have happened. I stand by what I said, but shouldn’t have taken that out on you.”
I smiled charmingly and kept my tone light while my focus remained on her in a way that had her goofy ass blushing. I had no interest in her at all but knew how to play the game. Smoothing things over with her raised my likability with the female population and I needed all the positive press I could get right now.
“There were reports that there were trade talks happening after the Sharks lost that playoff game. Did that affect your mindset going into the negotiation process for your most recent contract?”
“No. I know what I bring to this team. Karl Bashay knows what I bring to this team. My agent and the organization had a conversation about what keeping me in a Sharks jersey means tothe franchise and the city and here we are. The only thing that matters is me showing up on the field this season.”
“But were you fearful that your future as a Shark was in question?”
“Trade talk is inevitable. It’s a part of the job, so it always lingers in the back of any player’s mind, but again, I know my worth and so does this organization. Next question.”
I dismissed ol’ boy because he wasn’t trying to let this go and I wasn’t handing over another soundbite that would have me going viral.
“If a trade had been the outcome, were you prepared to play somewhere else?”
“Iwouldn’thave played anywhere else.” I looked the reporter right in his eyes before I glanced toward the other side of the room at Kesmond.
“Does that mean you were prepared to retire then?”
“I’m here, so what ifs don’t matter. Next question.”
“Four years is a significant commitment at this stage in your career. What projections do you have for the next four years as far as your performance on the field?”
I smirked. “Damn, sounds like you’re calling me old. At thisstagein my career?”
A round of laughter moved through the room and lightened the mood.
“At thirty-four, you’re not exactly young in football years.” The reporter who’d asked flashed a smile.
Coach interjected, “Parks is in great physical shape and also works hard to ensure he remains in game shape year round. We have no doubts about his performance over the next four years.”
“That’s basically Coach’s way of subtly dropping hints that I need to earn my salary for the next four years.”
They all laughed again before the next question. The next fifteen minutes moved quickly, with questions for me and Coachabout predictions for the upcoming season and a handful of them trying to slide in a few personal questions about my situation with Rylee and my relationship with Somee. After I hit enough of them with a blunt, “next question”, they got the message and left the topic alone. Eventually Rissa called time to shut things down.
“Thank you guys. We’re going to end things here. Ryland will be available through the usual channels for Sharks media requests. We’ll have the official contract details in the release going out this afternoon.”
They all started packing up and Vanessa let me know she was about to take a call before the one-on-ones started.
I took the opportunity to text Somee.
Me: You still bossing people around?
I grinned when those dots started dancing right away.
MyPrettyAssBaby: Aren’t you supposed to be lifting weights or cursing out reporters?
Me: I’m a professional. I know how to talk to people.
MyPrettyAssBaby: I’m more than positive you almost ended up in a Tigers jersey because you do not, in fact, know how to talk to people.
Me: Sounds like you’re trying to get fucked in a Sharks jersey to remind you of the only team I’m ever repping.
MyPrettyAssBaby: If that was a threat, consider it an epic fail. I’m adding that to my list of freaky shit I want to do with you.
Well shit…
My dick got hard and this wasn’t the time or place for that.