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I chuckle. “I just spoke with your brother regarding a coaching position.”
“I assume he declined?”
I nod, and I get the sense that he and his brother are close. Sometimes I wish I was a little closer with my own brothers, but somehow sibling rivalries tend to get in the way of that.
This whole new position thing is starting to make me feel like a bit of a loner. I don’t have a woman in my life. I’m leaving my friends behind in Los Angeles as I figure I’m starting the next chapter of my life.
And none of that really makes me feel all that sad…though it probably should.
Or maybe that’s just social conventions telling me it should. I have a right to live my life the way I want it, and I’ve been fine on my own for nearly twenty years.
I don’t need anybody else. I didn’t get this position by being tied down. I got it all on my fucking own, and that’s the way I plan to stay.
But Jack Dalton owns the Aces now, and he’s tied down.
Luke gets to make his own path, and he’s got a wife and kids to think about, too.
It’s food for thought, but it’s not about to change the way I live my life.
So Jack is close with his brother. Good for him.
Now if I could just get that swirling blonde hair of chaos out of my head, I’d be all set.
“I have an exclusive set up for you before the press conference,” he says. “I’m giving our newest Aces correspondent with the local news channel the first shot at you. Can you handle it?”
I think back to what I said in my interview when Jack asked me how I’d handle the media.
I’m prepared to handle the media with transparency, and I know that being criticized is part of the position, so I’ll build relationships with reporters so I can use them to our organization’s advantage.
“My interview answer regarding the media was good enough to score me the position, so yeah. I can handle it.”
“You think so?” He chuckles. “We’ll see,” he says ominously, though there’s a certain gleam in his eye that tells me he’s kidding around.
Still…I’m suddenly a little anxious about what exactly Jack Dalton has in store for me.
CHAPTER 11: LINCOLN
I have until the afternoon to prepare for the press conference, and Jack let me know he put out a call to several players that the new coach was hired. I’m on my way to the locker room to introduce myself.
This first meeting is important.
First impressions are important, too, and that goes both ways.
I spent last evening trying to come up with what, exactly, I want their impression of me to be, and then I worked backwards from there to devise a speech that encompasses everything.
But I’m speaking from the heart with those talking points in mind instead of giving a speech from memory.
I’m not nervous to talk to my players. Instead, I’m excited to meet them.
When I arrived at the Complex, the parking lot was much more filled than it had been the other times I’ve been here.
This is it. It’s the start of something new, and I could not be more excited about what’s in store for this team this season. My team.
Jack and Steve walk me down to the locker room to introduce me before I talk.
“I’d like to introduce you to your new head coach, Lincoln Nash,” Jack says, and he holds out a hand to indicate me while the men gathered in here clap.
I look around at the group, ensuring I make eye contact with each person gathered here. I want them to know I see them as individuals even though this is a team effort. “Good morning, and thanks for coming in today. It’s an honor to be part of an organization with so much talent, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together this season. The Vegas Aces have built a legacy, and it’s our job to hold onto that legacy and continue building it with the same determination that led to a championship season last year. We will face challenges, particularly as we fill a lot of big positions.” I nod toward Jack. “But each of you in here brings something unique to this team, and my job as your head coach is to sharpen those skills through motivation and hard work so we can see through to the goal we all share. We will step onto that field with confidence, determination, and grit. We will show the world that we’re here to fight for our title. It’s Aces Wild Vegas Style, so let’s fucking go.”
