Searching for Pilar by Patricia Hunt Holmes

Author:Patricia Hunt Holmes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River Grove Books

CHAPTER 17

TANGLEWOOD

The 2011 Season of Major League Soccer was well underway, and Diego had to focus on winning games for the Storm. His extraordinary skill at passing and scoring quickly established him in the starting lineup. He was handsome and charismatic, which the sports media was quick to showcase. Soccer came in third in popularity behind football and baseball in Houston. But the Storm were winning games, and Houston soccer fans fell in love with the newest player.

One afternoon, in early July, Alonso “Pico” Melendez, an assistant coach, stopped Diego in the locker room before practice. “Hola, Diego. The public relations office called down here. They have an invitation for you.” He handed Diego a small sealed envelope.

“What’s this?” Diego asked.

“It’s an invitation, amigo. A fan has invited you to a party.”

“I do not go to parties,” Diego said, pulling on his jersey.

“It’s not just any fan. It’s an invitation from Arturo Nuñez Escobar. He’s a close friend of the head of the Spanish-language sports channel in town. He’s noticed you, and that’s good for you and the Storm. He’s a very rich man in Mexico, and his family members have big houses here in the city.”

“I am flattered, Pico, but I don’t have the time.”

Pico handed Diego his shoes.

“He also has a beautiful young daughter, Diego. Marisa is single and just graduated from university. She and her friends do a lot of charity work, so she gets her picture in the newspaper. Professional soccer is still relatively new in Houston. Our public relations people think it would help the team’s popularity if some of our players were seen at the parties and big social occasions—at least that’s what they tell me. According to them, Escobar’s parties are exclusive. No one else with the Storm has ever gotten an invitation.”

Diego looked annoyed. “I’ve got to get to practice, Pico. Can we talk about this another time?”

“You need to go. You don’t have to stay all night. Just meet Señor Escobar and say hello to his daughter, mix a little with the crowd, and go home,” Pico told him. “It might do you good to relax for a change. You are too intense. The season has a long way to go. I don’t want you to burn out.”

“Is this an order?” Diego asked, turning around on his way out to the pitch.

“Think of it as a firm suggestion.”

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