“Right now, it means we don’t currently have any rooms available, but we always have cancellations. If you don’t mind waiting a few hours, I feel sure we’ll have something soon.”
A few hours. I glance at the digital clock behind her and check the itinerary Sutton gave me in my head. It’s already late afternoon and walk-throughs will start soon. Team dinner after that. By the time a room might open, it will be late.
“That’s not ideal.”
“I completely understand. We can hold your luggage and prioritize your room as soon as something opens.”
Nodding, I fill out the bell desk tag for them to hold my bag. Internally I’m already calculating contingencies.
There are only a couple of options. I stay with someone from the team. But I don’t know Sutton well enough and she’ll be sharing a room with number ten, her husbandGreyson. The other option is to find a hotel nearby. But the team we’re playing is in first place in their division and the game is sold out so I’m not sure if there will be anything available within walking distance to the game.
“Thank you for holding my bag. I’ll check back later.”
I shouldn’t thank them because they sold me a hotel room and aren’t providing one. Stay calm.
By the timeI make it to the stadium the sun is dipping low, casting long shadows of skyscrapers across the field. Even void of a crowd, there’s an energy here—an undeniable competitive spirit. A hum beneath the surface. Game day anticipation building higher.
Sutton finds me on the sideline. “You made it,” she says, pulling me into a brief, corporate hug.
“Yeah, but your hotel hates me.”
She winces. “They overbooked?”
“Yes, just my luck.”
“Ugh, I’ll make the call. I should have made Marlon bundle your reservation in with the team.”
“No,” I say quickly. “It’s fine they said a room should open up by tonight.”
She studies me for a moment. “Okay, but if it doesn’t, you’re not sleeping in the lobby. Make sure to let me know.”
“I’ll figure it out, thanks.”
She gestures toward the field where players are filtering out after their meeting.
“Is Parker your favorite client?” she asks, and I can’t help hear the nuance in her tone.
“I’m here because you pleaded his case… for the team.”
She smirks, “Sure you are. That’s the appropriate answer.”
I ignore that.
We stand side by side, watching the team move into groups. Parker is easy to spot.
Always.
Even in a group of elite athletes, he draws attention.
Long strides.
Confident movement.
Except today, there’s a subtle hesitation. But it’s there.
Sutton tells me what each section of the walkthrough entails. Now we’re going over the defensive plan, and the second-string offense runs plays the staff feels the opponent will run against the Armadillos.
On the opposite end the second string defense does the same against our offense.Kickers, punters and special teams are in their own groups.