“Yeah, this is the year to do something. I just finished five years with the Chargers after coming over from the Rams.”

Ivan didn’t realize Perry was that old, but he was sure that he could find another team who would want him. Nevertheless, Ivan would miss all of Perry’s bravado and support.

“So, what do you need? You’re not asking me to try and negotiate a new contract, are you?” Ivan joked with him.

Perry chuckled. “Naw. I still got an agent for that. But I could use some bigger things to invest in until I get a new deal or something, man.”

He continued, “I hear you’re buying and selling houses in real estate with Jeffrey.”

Jeffrey must have told him. Ivan nodded and said, “Yeah, we can definitely talk about that. But that’s a lot more money than parties,” he warned.

Perry nodded. “I know.”

Ivan stared at him to read if he was serious. And he was. So he said, “All right, call me up first thing on Monday.”

Perry stuck out his huge hand and said, “You got it, man. And be safe in here tonight. I see the women are all in here looking for you.”

With that off his chest, Perry stood up and walked off toward the exit.

I guess that’s all he was here to talk about, Ivan told himself. But maybe he should let someone else drive him home tonight. Perry didn’t look too stable that evening. So Ivan continued to think about him.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind tonight, Ivan,” Lucina commented.

She startled him from his thoughts. “Oh, yeah, I guess I do.” He said, “Too many people, too many things, too many thoughts are all on my mind at the same time.”

Lucina nodded and kept her comments about her girls to herself. She figured she would talk to him about it later.

“You can handle it, Ivan,” she told him instead.

At the end of the night, not only were Carolyn and Ashley eager to see him, but a few other hot girls were hanging around the party to catch him for a nightcap as well.

“Hey, where’s the after party, Ivan? Any invitations?” a couple of pretty blondes asked him. They looked as close as cousins. Every guy in the party had watched them dancing with each other that night. But they had apparently waited up for Ivan.

“Is this a family resemblance I see going on here?” he asked to avoid their question.

“No, but we can all make it a family,” one girlfriend responded, producing an alcohol-laced giggle.

“What did you drive in this time? Can we get a joyride somewhere?” the other one asked.

Obviously, the two of them had peeped Ivan out. He grinned and told them, “I don’t know about that. I got a lot more to do tonight.”

“Aww, all work and no play?”