Page 6 of Taking the Pitch
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen Kessler lose his shit. Most recently, when he found out about Jared and Lucy’s past and told Lucy he wanted a break, resulting in one very smashed coffee table. So him screaming at me tells me I fucked up big time.
I sit there in silence, letting the reality of the situation wash over me. “Kess, I’m, I-” I stop and run my hand over my jaw and mouth. “I didn’t realize I was drunk. I thought I was good to drive, man.”
Kessler blows a breath out through his lips and lets his head fall back against his headrest. He turns his head and looks at me with eyes that match mine. “Judd, it’s not just about you.You have to think about how your actions affect others. I had to convince Lucy to stay home and not come with me. Hudson idolizes you. What if something had happened? He would be devastated. We all would.”
Those words are a hit straight to my heart and I rub at the ache in my chest. I don’t consider myself a selfish person, but my actions tonight have said otherwise. Running my fingers through my hair, I tug at the ends in frustration. “You’re right Kessler, I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry for worrying all of you.”
Kessler nods and sits forward, turning the key in the ignition. The truck roars to life. “You have to get your partying under control. You’re thirty two, Judd, time to grow up.”
I clench my teeth together. I know he’s right, but it doesn’t make hearing it any easier.
Kessler pulls out of the lot and heads in the direction of my apartment. “You need to call Dale first thing in the morning, too. You know this won’t stay quiet for long.”
I nod, even though the darkness in the truck prevents him from seeing it and lay my head back against my own head rest. The events of the day catching up to me. Dale is not going to be happy about this, but if anyone can handle this, it’s him. He’s been our agent from day one and we trust him with anything. He handled Kessler’s media shit show with ease, and I’m hoping mine has the same outcome.
Neither of us speak during the drive to my place. When Kessler pulls up to the front of my building, I turn to him before getting out. “I’m sorry for taking you away from Lucy on the night of your engagement party. Tell her sorry for me?”
Kessler sighs and rubs his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger. “You can tell her at family dinner tomorrow.” He looks at the clock on the dash. “Or should I say today?”
Shit.
I know there’s no way mom would let me skip dinner, especially after what happened tonight. Oh no, it’ll be all hands on deck to figure out how to fix Judd’s fuck up. I release a sigh of my own and nod. “Guess Mom wouldn’t let me skip this one, huh?”
Kessler snorts. “Yeah, maybe if hell froze over.” He gives me a slight smile. “Better get some sleep, little brother. Mom is going to be all over your ass tonight.”
Grabbing the handle, I open my door and slide out of the truck. “Thanks again, Kessler.”
He nods. “We’ll figure this out, Judd. Everything will work out.”
I close the door and tap it a of couple times, giving Kessler a wave as he pulls away from the curb. Turning to my building, I make my way up the steps and into the lobby. “Good evening Mr. Davis.” I tried correcting Marty my first two months here to call me Judd, but it never stuck, so I gave up trying.
“Evening Marty. How’s your night?”
“Can’t complain Mr. Davis.”
I nod my head at him and give him a wave, heading to the elevator. “Have a good rest of your night, Marty.”
“Thank you Mr. Davis, you too.”
Once I’m in the elevator, I hold my phone up to the screen and hit the button for the Penthouse. Slouching against the wall, the reality of the day hits me in full force. I fucked up, bad.
Entering my apartment. I toss my keys onto the entry table and sag into the couch, my eyes instantly grow heavy. Before I drift off to sleep, my mind replays the events of the day and I pray tomorrow is a better day.
CHAPTER TWO
judd
Today has not startedoff as a better day.
I woke up with a raging headache, thanks to last night’s events, and was barely able to choke down my first cup of coffee before Kessler picked me up at the ass crack of dawn to take me over to Dale’s house to meet with him and my lawyer. After they both read me the riot act on how ‘destructive’ my behavior has gotten lately, they informed me that the Silverbacks front office is also not happy with the picture their new star pitcher is painting.
Charlie, our PR manager, was also on a conference call with us and suggested now may be the perfect time to start looking into outreach programs for my foundation I want to start like we’ve been talking about. I balked at the idea at first. I hate doing things just for the PR, but I might be able to kill two birds with one stone this way. She requested I send her a few of my interests so she can at least look around for some programs that I’d be interested in, instead of just doing it because I’m forced to. Not that I’m being forced exactly, but it was heavily recommended that I do something for myimage.
Now I’m sitting at Kessler’s house playing video games with Hudson while we wait to go to my parents’ house for Sunday dinner. Hanging out with Hudson has been the highlight of my day.
Being driven around like a teenager without their license has not. Having my driving privileges suspended until my court date is the turd on top of this shit sundae. I’ve been driving myself everywhere since the very day I turned sixteen. Having to rely on someone else to take me places does not sit well with me, but I’m trying not to let my mood ruin my time with Hudson.
“Uncle Judd, what’s a DUI?” Hudson asks.
