It was a hectic morning.  First it was that I was running late for work which was not normal of me, then there was stop and go traffic.  This morning was a hot mess.  I only hoped it would get better through out the day.

"Your late," my coworker told me as I pulled into the building.

Normally Natalia and I drove to work together to save time and gas but I told her to go ahead.  Now, I was paying the price for it.  I heard my phone go off and I opened it up to see  a text from Patrick and I playfully roll my eyes.

Patrick: naughty being late to work 

Kat: shut up lol.  I'm just glad I didn't get in trouble.

Patrick: Luckily you live in a city where people are more understanding 

Kat: I know.  In LA my boss was so rude.  I should have gotten an earlier start though.  Gotta go boss is coming.

The three bubbles showed that he was typing a reply but before I could see what he wrote, I exited out of my text messages and locked my phone and stuffed it in my pocket before my boss could see.  

"How's the interviews with the Chief's going?" Ben asked wanting to make sure the timeline was going good.  

"It's good," I told him as we began walking.  "Almost finished for it to air next week."

"Excellent," Ben smiled at the deadline being good to go.  "I expect an update on when your team is done editing the video."

"I'll send you an email," I tell him and he nods his head before going into his office and leaving me to be.  

"How'd the talk with Ben go?" Natalia asked me a while later.

"It went good," I tell her.  "He's really pleased with how far we've come on the interviews."

"Good," she let out a sigh of relief.

Since we were new at the Kansas City location we couldn't afford any fuck up's right away.  So far Ben seemed like a pretty lenient boss but having come from California, I didn't really trust anyone easily, especially in the sports business.  It seemed like every move was calculated and people used people to get somewhere.  I didn't want my life to be that way and I made a conscious effort not to associate with people like that.

*

Milo's graduation from puppy school training was today.  Natalia and I couldn't believe that the last six weeks had flied by so quickly.  It had also meant that it had been exactly a month that I've been living in Kansas City.  It was different and sometimes I was lonely since I didn't have any other friends besides Natalia and Patrick but having Milo and my job kept us busy.  

We had exactly one month left until the football season officially started and all of us were hyped up for this year.  Maybe it felt different because Natalia and I were now contracted by the Kansas City Chiefs or maybe it was because I was actually friends with Patrick.  I always loved the football season because that meant that fall time was coming which was my favorite season of all.  

I had heard from Nat and Patrick that Kansas City actually had different seasons and while I wasn't completely packed for it, during this month I had done some early shopping.  A little shopping never hurt anyone, right?

"I'll meet you there," I text Natalia as I leave our apartment with Milo since I knew she was just leaving Aldi's for groceries.

*

The set up was actually really nice out here in the park.  There was of course a little stage to take the dogs up when they called their names and there was refreshments - dog treats for the dogs and human refreshments.  

I had told Patrick about Milo's graduation but I was not expecting him to come.

"You came," I said out loud and gave him a smile along with a hug.

I knew how busy his schedule was so I didn't actually think he would come.

"Gotta see my boy Milo graduate," Patrick said as he smiled and bent down to pet him as Milo went right up to him and leaned into him.  "This looks really nice."

"Right?  It's crazy how they go all out for puppy graduation," I joked.  "Thanks for coming, by the way."

Patrick was wearing his sunglasses, I'm guessing to trying not to be noticed.

They had a table off to the side which had a little diploma with some treats for the dogs.  There was also a Photo Booth area with cute signs you can use in the picture.  In the middle was a little platform stage for the dogs to walk across when their names were being called.  Off to the side was treats for us humans that were cookies and drinks.

"Of course," he smiles at me and his brown eyes sparkled before he put his sunglasses on.

"Alright, everyone," Mike the trainer for the dogs spoke.  "We're going to get going on the graduation and then we have treats for the dogs and all of us after this is done."

One by one the puppies names were called and their owners walked up with them.  I thought it was the cutest thing ever.  

"Milo," the trainer called his name and Natalia and I walked up with him.  

People were clapping and I could vaguely see Patrick getting his phone out to take some pictures as both of us walked along the stage with little Milo.  He was given a piece of paper that showed he graduated puppy school training.

While the piece of paper was still in Mike's hand, low at the side of leg, Milo must have thought it was a chew toy and took it in his mouth easily.  Mike must have felt it falling out of his hand because he looked down and we saw what had happened.  

"Milo," I rolled my eyes playfully and bent down to his level to pet him.  

Instead I let him keep it in his mouth and we walk off the made up stage.  I take it out of his mouth once we're completely off the stage but it wasn't like he ripped it up so it was okay.  

"Okay, Milo, we gotta take a family picture in front of the Photo Booth," I tell him and he gets up and starts wagging his tail with excitement and he plays with his paws.

"Ready to go up?" Natalia asks the both of us and I nod my head and Milo walks by my side with me.  

During puppy school training we were also taught how to walk with him without a leash which he can obviously do now, but we decided to still keep him on the leash today.  Thankfully though if we were to have him walk without a leash and we called his name - he would still come back to us.  

"Milo, I think you are the most photogenic puppy I have ever met," Patrick commented.  "Definitely more photogenic than Silver or Steel."

I let out a small giggle at his comment.

"You want some taken with Milo?" I asked Patrick.

"Yeah," he nods his head and Natalia and I trade places with him.  He takes Milo's leash from me and I take pictures of him with Milo.

Minutes later, Natalia was feeding Milo dog treats that he was happily munching on while Patrick and I were drinking water and having some cookies.  

"Woah, your Patrick Mahomes," a young boy commented as he was wearing a Jayhawks shirt.

"Guess the secrets out," Patrick joked to me quietly and took his sunglasses off all the way.  "I am.  What's your name?"

"Jackson," he grinned.

"Great name," he let out a laugh.  "That's my brother's name."

"I know," he says smartly.  "But I like you better," Jackson points out which makes me wonder about his brother.  We both laugh and Jackson talks again.

I've heard a few rumors going around not just at work but around Kansas City about Jackson that wasn't looking good but I didn't want to judge him without knowing him or talking to Patrick about it.

"Can I have a picture?" He asks a little unsure.

I noticed that fans in Kansas City seemed to respect Patrick's privacy.  Of course though he couldn't say no to a ten year old who was with his family wanting a picture of him.  I couldn't blame him either.  

"Yeah, dude.  Do you have a phone or your mom?"

"I do," he grins.

"I can take it for you," I offer to the kid.

"Thanks," he grins and hands me his phone and I take a few pictures of them just in case he doesn't like the first one.  It's always good to have multiples.  I knew all the right angles that make for a great photo as I took them.

"Here you go," I offer his phone back to him.  

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out after this?" Patrick asked me once the kid left.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.  

*

"So, I feel like I have to ask," I said after I ate my waffle fry.

"Shoot," he tells me.

"What's the deal with your brother?"

"What do you mean?" He asked with furrowed brows eating his spicy chicken sandwich.

"I've been hearing a lot of things about him.  A lot of bad things and I was wondering if there's any truth to the rumors or if they're just making shit up?"

He lets out a sigh.

"I won't lie.  My brother doesn't think before he speaks and that makes him pretty controversial. Unfortunately it bites me in the ass though and we get into it a lot because of it."

I dipped my chicken nuggets into the Polynesian sauce and popped one in my mouth, chewing and swallowed it before talking.

"That could definitely be hard.  Are you close with your family?"

"Yeah," he nods his head with a small smile and finishes his sandwich.  "I love my family and it's nice to have them to lean on them.  It just gets hard when Jackson does something he shouldn't."

"I get that.  Sometimes though you just gotta let your loved ones make mistakes.  It's how they learn.  He won't always have you there to catch him if he falls."

"I know," he runs his fingers through his hair.  "I just want to help him though, you know?  I want him to not have to make those mistakes because it makes it harder being in the public eye."

"I can't imagine what that's like," I shook my head and finished eating my dinner.

"Your lucky.  Sometimes I wish I could just play football and not have the pressure of the media on me because it doesn't just stop at me."

I took hold of his hand and held it in mine which calmed him down instantly but I think it also caught him off guard for a split second.  

"So why don't you do that then?  Forget about the pressure of the media.  Forget the paparazzi.  The magazines.  Everything.  Just focus on playing football.  Who knows," I shrug my shoulders.  "Maybe that's what you need to be able to focus better on the game itself."

"Thanks," he smiles at me and squeezes my hand.  

Its a couple hours later and we were now watching an episode of The Office on my couch for a good laugh.  Patrick looks at his phone and his eyes widen at the time.

"I should get going," he says out loud and puts his shoes on.  "Hey, I was wondering.  I'm having a party at my house tomorrow.  If you aren't doing anything tomorrow at three you should stop by.  A lot of the guys will be here," Patrick tells me.  

"I don't have anything going on so I'll be there," I tell him with a smile.

"Good," he nods his head slightly with a smile as well.  "I'll see you tomorrow."

He gives me a hug and then walks out of my apartment.  I close the door and lean against it with my back to the door as I think about the time I've spent with him.

--

I finally got over writers block with this story!  Next chapter will be very interesting...

Care to make any guesses who will show up?