Page 5

Chapter 4

Shawn

T hree big dudes stand behind me with carts of suitcases and two giant crates with sleeping Luna and Blaze. The vet gave me some sleeping medicine to help them remain calm while traveling, and they’re still groggy. I step out of the airport doors and take in the sun-soaked, warm breeze.

I look back at the guys with my stuff.

“It’s kinda warm, no?”

I could have sworn I was going to need this Canada Goose on when I landed.

The big guy on my right laughs, “Um, it’s the beginning of April, it’s not hot yet, but it’s not -10 celsius either!”

“Oh right! Duh.” I fumble over my words as I process that it isn’t cold here year-round, and they use Celsius, not Fahrenheit.

I make a mental note for cooking as well, since that means the measurements will be different.

“Mr. Salisu, we have a car for you, your pups, and your carry-on items. Everything else should be at your condo already.”

“Perfect. Thank you!” I say as an all-black SUV pulls up. They load up my stuff, the dog crates, and we’re off as the skyline of the Six comes into view.

* * *

W hat the holy fucking shit?!? So, Toronto is like a city, CITY. I look around, not even able to see the top of the skyscrapers. I always thought Dallas was the nicest city, and Vegas was cool, but Toronto is next-level. The red street cars, bustling people walking everywhere, a group of small kids playing at a park. I want to just get lost in exploring everything before the ice covers it this coming winter.

We pull around the corner as the CN Tower and Scotiabank Arena come into view. Damn. This is like in the heart of the city. It feels surreal. As we get closer, I realize how massive it is. On instinct, my palms sweat. This is it? This is my moment, and I get to do it here in this beautiful buzzing city. We take a right and come to a stop in front of a giant mirrored-window skyscraper. This thing has to have at least 70 stories.

“We’re here, Mr. Salisu. Here is your badge. It will get you in your unit. The doorman right there is here to help with these things.”

“Right! Thank you so much.”

I pull out a twenty in American dollars, and he looks at me funny.

“Um, I don’t suppose this will do you any good?”

I look at him and hand him the cash.

“I’m happy to exchange it, but you don’t have to give me anything. It was my pleasure to help!”

This guy. I pull out another twenty and give him both. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming since I stepped on the plane to come up north.

“I don’t know the exchange rates yet, so just take both. - thanks again!”

“Thank you, Mr. Salisu.” The man's smile grows.

“Anytime,” I say as I shut the door to the SUV. With the doorman’s help, I unloaded the dogs and my stuff.

“Follow me, please!” The older gentleman tells me. We enter through the larger side doors, bypassing the revolving doors, and head for the service elevator at the rear. He waves his badge, selecting floor 26 as we pile into his cart. We arrive and approach a large black silk metal door, unit 2606. Okay, do they know I'm number 26? Cool cool. Someone planned that, right? The doorman looks at me.

“Your badge here should let you in until your phone can connect to the door for opening and closing.”

“Oh right! Got it.”

Flashing my badge, the door opens with a click. I walk in, and the doorman follows.

DAMN. Okay, Titans.

I didn’t expect this. When I walk in, there is a room directly to my right that looks like a sitting room/mud room. One side has lockers and cubbies for shoes, jackets, and leashes; then, there are a few chairs and a coffee table on the other side. I keep walking, and this open concept kitchen, dining, and living room space is perfect, and I notice a section on the back corner that is already closed off. As I walk towards it, I see that the back of the living room looks like an old gym space converted into an indoor dog park oasis. To the left is a laundry room with a walk-in shower tub for the dogs to bathe in. I stare at the dog shower, trying to imagine ever being this fancy. I was just about to wash them in my tub.

I turn around and walk down the hallway behind the kitchen and dining area, seeing three doors. The first is a giant closet, which could fit everything I brought. The next looks like a guest bedroom already furnished in a modern black and white aesthetic. There must be another bathroom in there because I see two extra doors towards the back of the room. Then, to the right is the master. There are floor-to-ceiling windows, a large black velvet bed frame, and deep red accents. Almost like a Titan’s themed room, but modern and elegant. There is also an iPad-looking screen on the wall next to me.

The doorman coughs… “This is your home unit iPad. It will control the windows, TV, lights, music, whatever you need. You can even call me right here.” He points to a little man icon on the bottom right of the screen.

“Thank you, this is great!”

I say, rubbing my head, still trying to take this all in.

“On the kitchen island is your binder of team information. Parking spot, how to access the locker room, and your travel/personal assistant’s information from S.T.O.T. They’re actually located in this building on the floors above if you ever need them.”

“Oh, good to know. The agent that helped me get my visa, plane tickets, condo, and cars scheduled was so helpful.”

“Glad to hear it. In addition, we have a welcome video on the screen in the living room. When you get settled, just hit play, and it will go through all the amenities in the building, security, car service details, local restaurants, and grocery stores nearby.”

“That’s amazing! Thanks again.” I say as I follow him to the front door.

“I’m Bill, so just hit the button if you have questions. Oh, and welcome to Toronto, Mr. Salisu! Go Titans!”

I chuckle, trying to get used to being called Mr. Salisu.

“Uh, yeah. Thanks, man—Go Titans!”

He smiles and walks back to the elevator as I shut the door. I go to the dog room oasis where he put the crates and my sleeping pups. I open the crate; they lazily walk out and immediately start sniffing to find bowls of dog food and water already out by the dog shower.

“Sheesh, that assistant was on top of it. I need to send her some thank you flowers.” I put a reminder on my phone and make my way to the kitchen. As I look up, I see the dogs barking at themselves in the giant windows surrounding us.

Laughing, I pick up the team binder and start thumbing through the content. My eyes go over the invite to the new players’ gala. It’s tomorrow, shit. I guess I’ll just dress up in my draft suit with a different shirt. I won’t have time to get another suit that fits right this quickly, and no way I want to make a bad first impression as a rookie. My eyes stop on the name Sophie Santos. I snap my fingers.

“Oh, that’s her name!”

The assistant that went all out. She did great; I add her name to my calendar reminder.

Turning around, I find my home unit iPad on the wall and hit the play button to watch the welcome video. It’s 5 minutes of everything in the building; state-of-the-art gym, cold plunge, sauna, pools, smoothie bars, quick, healthy meal machines, and so much more. Then it goes into places around the building, shops, and all the services I might need. Barbers, dry cleaning, chefs, trainers, stylists, dog parks, hiking trails, Toronto hot spots, everything. Damn, this S.T.O.T company is on top of it. The idea of having all these things to do just around a corner is like nothing I have ever experienced.

I sigh and take a seat on the plush white couch in front of the TV. This seems too good to be true - this city, this team. I move my head from side to side as my neck pops. This is when it starts to sink in. The crippling doubt, the need to perform, to make a name in this league for myself, to make my family proud. It starts tomorrow at this new player’s gala. I pull up the videos my agent sent me on answering press questions and start unpacking.

Time to make Toronto home.