Fate - Jimmy Garoppolo

Chapter 2

"I know, E. I just wanted to make sure you were fine. Gab told me you had soreness in your right ankle after the game." Isabelle spoke through the phone, as the camera was focused on her and Emmanuel's face covering her screen.

The moment Isabelle graduated high school at a young age and was accepted into more than a few universities, both her father and her grandfather were nervous with her possibly moving to another state. But to their luck, she chose to stay a bit close to home and join SMU, in Houston. Her father at the time was the offensive coordinator for the Texans, and every once in a while would watch college games, seeking out offensive players. He had noticed Emmanuel Sanders at SMU during his sophomore year, a while before Isabelle chose SMU, and formed a bond with him. He helped him grow as a player and person and Emmanuel made sure to take care of Isabelle once she started at SMU, during his own junior year. Since then, they had been like siblings, both him and his now wife, Gabby, becoming two loving figures in her life.

He rolled his eyes. "It was just soreness. Don't go all doctor on me right now, Shanahan."

"Ha-ha. You know how I worry, Sanders." She replied, giving him a warm smile.

"Yeah, and I love you for it. We all do." He paused, opening his mouth and then closing it, unsure.

"Spit it out." She said, catching his movement.

"Have you been hearing the gossip lately?" He asked, hesitant.

"You know I don't have time for that shit. Besides, I'm too busy trying not to make a fool of myself at work."

"That's where I thought you would have heard the gossip from."

"Why?" She asked, stopping whatever she was doing and focusing solely on Emmanuel. He sighed, hesitant again. "E, seriously. Can you spit it out already? You're making me anxious."

"Jimmy isn't happy." He simply stated.

Isabelle furrowed her eyebrows, as she grew more confused with each second. "Why? What's going on? Is something wrong with him?"

"No. Not like that. It's—ok, look. We all knew or thought that when he was drafted to the Patriots, it would only be a couple of years and then Brady would retire."

"Yeah, and he didn't. He just got signed for another two years with them, though. But teams were pursuing Jimmy throughout the offseason and I think if he wanted it to happen, it would've." Isabelle replied.

"He was waiting for the right team." He replied, giving her one of his looks, which she pretended not to notice.

"My god, James." Isabelle sighed. "That's not how it goes, though. What's the right team? I know him. He loves to play and he's one hell of a quarterback so why is he wasting his time? He showed that he was reliable and worth it when Tom was suspended."

"Bellichick doesn't want to give him up."

"So, he'd rather give Tom up?" Isabelle asked, shocked. "Kind of makes sense, though."

"But we both know that Jimmy still wouldn't want to continue with New England anyways. But that's not the main piece of gossip going around."

"What do you mean?" She asked him, a frown etched on her face.

"Auntie Izzy!" A boy's voice sounded through the phone.

Isabelle quickly replaced the frown with a wide smile. "Prince! How's my favorite godson?" She asked, making him giggle.

"I miss you."

"You know I miss you and your baby sister so much. Hopefully I can visit soon, though."