“I spent a minimum of two hours in her makeup chair a day. We talk about all kinds of things.”
I laid back again, resting my head and back on the bench. Again, I lifted the bar, grunting under the weight. By the time I got to number six, my arms were wobbly like Jell-O and RJ grabbed the bar, guiding it back to the rack.
“Being around Heaven again has been a challenge. She’s great—don’t get me wrong, totally willing to help me out, but I’ve moved on for a variety of reasons, one being my career. I don’t have the time to look back.”
“Wow,” he said with a small frown, “That sounds like agent talk.”
I laughed. “How did you know?”
“My agent gives me the same talk at least twice a month. He’s fucking obsessed with me and Lea dating—pissed that I went public.”
“Why’s that?”
“The fans like me single, available. I guess it helps fulfill the dream that I may be an option for them or some bullshit.”
“But you took Lea to the premiere.”
“I did, against my team’s wishes. But I like her. Really like her, and I’m not letting this PR crap get between us.” RJ stopped to do a set of reps with the twenty-five-pound weights. “So, what? Your agent is afraid you’re going to cause a problem being away from your girlfriend for so long? The trainer?”
“Kind of. Sabine’s not pleased about the press seeing me and Heaven together.”
“Lea and I had to talk about my celebrity when we got together and how the gossip columns are and how they love to drag shit in the news. It’s part of the life. She’s gotta see that, right?”
Sabine knew good and well about the paparazzi. She toyed with them like cat with a mouse, but she didn’t like being on the other side of things. “Sabine is savvy with the media. She’s helped me out a lot with my career—getting endorsements and stuff.”
“Building an image; a brand.”
I nodded. RJ got it. He had to. It was his life, too.
“So being seen with Heaven messes with the image.”
“And being injured and not seen at all the events.”
“Is she why you got back on the field too soon last time?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. I had clearance but yeah, maybe. She and I both were afraid I’d lose my position if I didn’t commit one hundred percent. That means working my ass off, cultivating social exposure, delivering for my endorsements.”
“That’s a big burden. Where does what you want come into play?”
“What I want?” I laughed. “I stopped thinking about what I wanted a long time ago.”
RJ ran a hand through his hair. “That’s no way to live, man. I get it. I really get it, but don’t let the machine take over your life.”
I raised my eyebrows. Easier said than done. RJ was young, powerful for his age. He didn’t have injuries to contend with and a dozen athletes willing to kill for his spot on the team. I did have one question, though. “Did Heaven tell you everything about our relationship?”
RJ paused. “You mean how it involved you and the other guys?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, she did.”
“Did she tell you about her past—some of the more private things?”
“A little. I don’t pry.”
I ran my hand through my hair. “If the press digs around on her background it would be bad for her. I’m doing everything I can to keep her out of it.”
“What do you mean, everything?” he asked.