Page 88 of Hard Count
Piper’s eyes connected with Noah’s.
“All I know is I want you, and no contract is going to change that.”
“The amendment says if I’m with you, the payments stop, and I will owe the IRS $40 million fucking dollars.”
“Okay, and?”
“Okay is not what you say to that.”
“Okay is exactly what I say to that. Ten million a year, the tax bill, we will get it all figured out. Dude, we both are two of the highest paid quarterbacks in the fucking league.”
Noah’s voice stayed low. “Is that the thing, the money? So this is the reason you gave me the fucking silent treatment for days? Ten fucking million dollars a year?”
“No, the money is just the thing, the arrangement is no longer a choice and breaking the rules has real consequences.”
“Tell me why it’s not that simple. This asshole has clipped your fucking wings to the point where you forgot you ever learned how to fly.”
Piper went quiet. “I don't think I ever learned to fly.” Tears welled in Piper’s eyes as he tried to hold back the heavy emotion penetrating every part of his body.
“He’ll destroy you,” Piper said.
“He’ll try.”
“He’ll succeed. You don’t understand what he has. He’s had years to prepare for exactly this, and he has prepared for it. So yes. I’m protecting you. Don’t argue with me about this.”
“So that’s what this is.”
“That’s what this is,” Piper confirmed.
Noah looked at the counter. He wasn’t angry, not yet. He was sorting what Piper had said against what Piper hadn’t said. Piper could see the sort happening behind Noah’s face.
The thing he could not see, and didn’t know until Noah said it, was the conclusion.
Noah was still watching him.
“Is this what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Say the rest of it.”
“This is what I want.”
“No. You got half of it out. Say the fucking rest.”
Piper closed his eyes. He opened them.
“This is what I want, and you should go.”
Noah didn’t get up.
He sat on the stool with his hands still flat on the counter. He looked at Piper for a long time. Piper held his eyes.
“Okay,” Noah said finally.
He still didn’t make a move to leave.
“Before I go,” his voice calm as his eyes welled with tears, “one thing.”
