I’m in my cubicle thinking of how I can fix this, when an email pops up. My breath catches when I read it. It’s from Carson, and he wants to meet. I silently pray that this is a good email and not one that puts me in the unemployment line.
I gather up my stuff and hit the door to meet him.
The air is cold, and I pull my black trench coat tighter around my neck. I’m thankful for the heat in the restaurant. I notice Carson right away. He’s someone who you can’t miss.
Carson is over six feet tall, broad shoulders, and his thick dark brown hair is perfectly messy. However, it’s his eyes that could melt an ice rink. They’re a darker shade of brown that almost matches his hair. Peeking out through his pushed up sleeves, his tattoos stand out on his forearm. I had seen many photos of his full sleeve of artwork, but I couldn’t tell exactly what it was. His presence is strong in the room, and I pull all my bravery to keep up with him.
Our first meeting didn’t go well, but I’ve studied up on my hockey, and I’m ready for him this time. He isn’t going to win this, I’m going to get him to sign this contract.
“Mr. Lee, I’m glad that you emailed me. So, have you made a decision?”
“Almost.”
“I don’t know what that means.” I didn’t know if his tone is good or bad. “You are or you’re not? It’s a simple question.”
“Give me a reason. Tell me why I should do this.” He sips his drink that’s in front of him, and his facial expression is unreadable.
“Seriously?”
He nods.
“Fine.” I rack my brain on how I should approach this. “LSMP is the fastest growing clothing line in the past three years. It covers everything from professional, casual, kids, and everything else in between. It’s a local brand that started here in Alabama. Now, it’s moving across the United States and with your status it will help you and us make it a household name.”
“That’s not what I meant. I know all of that already because I did my research too. I want to know why I should work with you, sweetheart.”
Ugh. Every time he says that pet name I want to scratch his eyes out. I can see he is only doing that on purpose. It makes my blood boil, and I don’t know if he’s going take the deal or not. What do I have to lose. “Fine, you want me to play your little bad-boy game? Well, guess again. If you want to know why you should work with me, it’s because I’m the best. So, I’m tired of your run around game. Are you in or out?”
“I’m in,” he says bluntly.
“Wait, really?” I don’t know if he’s joking or not.
“Should I change my mind? I already decided what I was going to do before I got here.”
“Then why did you do that?” my voice rises. “Are you always a jerk?”
“That was not me being a jerk, Kinley. That was me finding out how passionate you are about your job. But stick around. You’ll see the jerk soon enough.” He winks at me.
“I’m not surprised that I’ll see that side of you soon. Now, sign these, and I can start this.” I pull the papers out of my bag.
“Has Mike read these?”
“Yes, these are the same ones I sent him.” I watch him thumb the pages. “So, are you going to sign them? Sorry, there’s not a stripper bonus in this contract. Just hard work, and a lot of free clothes.” I sneer at him.
“Ha, ha.” He eyes me for a moment. “This project is big for you, isn’t it? You have something riding on the success of this, don’t you? Maybe you should stay for lunch, tell me about that, and give me a reason to behave.”
I roll my eyes. Like I’m going to tell him anything. “The only agenda of mine, that you need to know, is when you need to show up for promotions and shoots. Plus, I’m not hungry. Sign it.” I push the contract right under his nose. He smirks as he signs his famous name on the line, and my heart is still racing. When he is done, I grab it and leave. I don’t even look back as I walk back to my car.
Once I’m in it, I clap my hands together and do a girly scream.
I did it.
~
“Wait, what?” I stare at my boss.
“Here are your tickets for the rest of the season. If Carson and you are going to work this campaign, then you need to know about hockey and him. So, here you go.” He tosses the large envelope on my desk and walks away.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I mumble looking at all the tickets. I’m thankful that football season is now over because I sure as hell didn’t want to miss any of those games.
I text Cassie and tell her I need some girl time. As I hit send, my phone rings.
My mother.
Of course, she would call me at this very moment.
“Mama, how are you?”
“Don’t play coy with me, Kinley. I’ve heard a rumor.” That statement never shocks me. In fact, Mama’s conversations usually start that way.
“What is it?”
“You were having lunch with a hockey man in the city. People saw you. Why haven’t you told me that you have a boyfriend?”
I’m glad that I’m on the phone because I roll my eyes. “Mama, I don’t have a boyfriend. That was a business lunch. Plus, how in the world do you know this?”
“Kinley.” There’s no need to go on with that sentence. My mama knows everyone and everything that happens in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
“I promise you, if I had a boyfriend, I would tell you.”
“Just remember that a southern lady needs to conduct herself in public as she does at home.”
“I know, Mama.”
“Well, I did call for a purpose besides hearing about your little lunch date.”
“And what is that?” I’m sure she is going to tell me the latest gossip that she and the ladies of her bridge club discussed.
“I saw Mrs. Blake at the grocery store, and she told me that Elliott is single again.”
“Mama,” I cut her off quickly. “Please, I’m beggin’ you. I don’t want to discuss Elliott Blake or his mother. We’re divorced. We’re not getting back together, ever.”
My mama and daddy were as southern as every stereotype could make them. I had kept some secrets from them. The fact that I choose to be twenty seven with a career and divorced makes her mad the most. Southern girls should be housewives, and that is not in my agenda at all.
“Kinley, you need to think about your future.” I can hear the sadness dripping from Mama’s voice.
“I am, and that’s why I have this amazing job. Now, Mama, is there anything else you need?” I’m really hoping that the answer is ‘no’.
“I worry about you, and as your mama I have that right.”
I roll my eyes. I know my parents love me very much. I know how much they’ve given me. However, I’m not them. I want my career and my independence.
“I love you too, Mama.”
“Good, then let’s have lunch soon,” and with that, she hangs up.
~
I walk into the bar and see Cassie sitting with a nice looking man next to her.
“Kinley.” She waves at me.
I smile and walk over to her. The guy does a once over on me, and I see the expression on his face. It’s typical. They see my thick hips, large thighs, and a slight disgust comes over their face. The only thing that they do like on my body are my breasts. They stare the longest at them. By no means, am I ugly. Just a little plump, as my daddy says.
Cassie doesn’t have that problem. She’s the perfect size four with an hourglass figure and model good looks.
The guy excuses himself, and I apologize to Cassie.
“What for? Trust me, I wasn’t going home with him.”
I smile and jump into telling her all about my day.
“So, you have to go to hockey games.”
“Yep.”
“Well, it can’t be that bad, right?”
I shake my head. “That first game was crazy. I couldn’t understand anything.”
“But you have the contract, you have C
arson Lee, and I’m sure the rest will fall into place.”
I shrug. “Maybe. And I don’t have Carson Lee. He works for me.”
“Either way, you can do it.”
She’s right. I can, and I will.
Chapter Four
Carson
There’s not a game today, so after practice this morning, we’re working out. Tyler, a teammate and good friend, spots me as I lift weights. He’s a few years younger than me at twenty-five while I’m twenty-nine. My birthday is coming up, which is what we’re talking about right now.
“You’re fucking old, Carson,” he comments.
“I’m not thirty yet, so shut up,” I breathe, pushing the bar up.
“Close enough. Plan on settling down with this big birthday?”
I lower it and push it back up before resting it back in place. Sitting up, I turn to face him with a glare. “Why would I ‘settle down’ just because I’m turning thirty? You know I don’t want that shit. I don’t need it.” And that’s the truth. I’ve been alone for as long as I can remember, in every aspect of my life, and I’ve come to like it. Not about to change that because of my age.
“Yeah, I guess. You’ll be hockey’s Hugh Hefner, right?”
I laugh. “Yeah, why not? Your turn.”
We switch places and he chuckles. “I can totally see you in your eighties with a twenty-something year old next to you. That’s so going to be your life, Carson.”
“For the most part, it already is.” I grin. So many women come in and out of my house. The reputation of a “man-whore” does funny things to them. It’s like they want a taste, a night of fun, but they are hoping they can make such an impact that they can change me. I’ve seen it too many times. That’s not how it works. I like who I am, and I like my life. Why would I want to change? And as long as I don’t want to, I won’t change. A lot of women don’t seem to understand that though.
“What are you going to do for your birthday? We have a game, but that’s never stopped you from celebrating before.”
“I don’t know yet,” I answer. “Home game, right?”
“Yep.”
We could have a party at my house afterwards. Or go out to a club. I’ll think of something. Mike will have a fit if I have a party the same magnitude as last year, especially since he says I need to straighten up my act. I donate to charities, not that I make it well-known. I discretely visit the kid’s at the children’s hospital a few times a year and spend all day with them.
Just because I buy nice things, sleep with hot women, and get into a little trouble here and there, doesn’t mean I need to change my ways. It’s not like I have a reason to do what Mike wants, other than the fact that he wants me to do it. No one cares but him and that’s because his job depends on it. It’s not the only reason he cares, but that’s besides the point.
After the workout, I go home for a nap, eat, and then head to the bar. If my life wasn’t the way it is, I would seriously consider Mike’s suggestion about my lifestyle. But my life isn’t different. It’s not going to change either. I’m going to keep doing whatever the hell I want. Mike be damned.
I sip on my whiskey, scanning the room. No one looks particularly interesting, but they don’t have to either. Catching the eye of the bartender, I lift my finger for him to bring another.
“You’re Carson Lee, right?”
I turn at the sound of a girl’s voice, and girl is the correct term. She’s young, but most likely no younger than twenty, and she has a friend. Both blondes. “Yes, I am, sweetheart.” I grin.
They both giggle and each rest a hand on my knees. “We’re huge fans,” they say together.
“Oh really?” The girls nod. “Can I buy you ladies a drink then?”
“Thanks,” they answer.
Good. At least they’re twenty-one. The bartender brings them some fruity drink as they gush with excitement over meeting me. I smile and nod at all the right places, letting them talk. When they finally take a breath, I lean towards them, causing them to lean towards me as well.
“How about we take this party somewhere more private?” You’d think the girls won the lottery by the grins on their faces. It’s been a while since I’ve taken two women home, but I’m definitely up for the challenge.
~
Luckily, the girls wanted to go to their apartment instead of my house, which means I didn’t have to worry about kicking anyone out but myself early this morning. Wams, bams, thank you, ma’ams. I chuckle to myself at the thought as I head out to my warehouse-like building on my vast property. With lots of money to spend, I decided I needed my own rink. Not only could a bunch of us get together to play, but we could party there as well with a few additional rooms included just for fun.
My rink should be done very soon. The finishing touches are being done and that’s what I’m checking in on today before I head to morning practice. I doubt I’ll get the chance later since there’s a game tonight. Charlie, the man in charge of the project, is outside waiting for me when I park. He firmly shakes my hand without smiling when I approach him.
“Well? Please tell me there haven’t been any more setbacks.” This should have been done months ago, but little setbacks added up.
“No setbacks, sir. It’ll be ready for your enjoyment by the end of next week.”
“Good. Walk me through it then.”
Wordlessly, we head inside, taking in everything he and his crew has done. It looks better than I envisioned. The rink, the changing rooms, the bar, and everything else. I nod my head as he explains everything he’s completed since the last time I checked in. Once we finish, I turn to face him.
“Looks good, Charlie. Hey, I’m looking to add a few rooms onto my house. Anyone you would recommend?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he nods, reaching into his back pocket. After fumbling through his business cards, he hands me one. “Elliott Blake is the man you need to speak to. He’s good, thorough, and does great work. He actually just finished doing some work on my own home, so I know firsthand.”
“Great. Thanks. I’ll give him a call.”
When I get in my car, I have a little time, so I go ahead and call Elliott as I drive back to my house. With my name and who I wish to speak to, the receptionist connects me through.
“Mr. Lee, how can I help you?” he greets.
“I’m looking to get some rooms added onto my house and Charlie Williams gave me your name. Think I could take an hour of your time right now to give you all the details?”
He clears his throat. “Right this minute today?”
“Yep. I don’t have a lot of time on my hands. Considering the size of this project, the timeframe I want it done in, and the fact that I’ll add in a bonus if you compete it in that time, I’m sure you’ll have no problem meeting me. Unless you rather I find someone else?”
“What’s your address?”
That’s what I thought, I smirk to myself. I do have to confess that I’m impressed when he arrives within twenty minutes of ending our call. I walk him to the back area of the house, noticing that he keeps looking around, observing the house. He’s definitely a construction worker though because he’s built like one.
“So, I want, for lack of a better term, a man cave. Big room, big TVs, big couch, big bar, and pool table, air hockey table, and the likes. I also want a workout room.” I glance at him to see what he thinks.
He strokes his imaginary beard, thinking apparently. “If I’m understanding correctly, you want a teenager’s dream bachelor pad?”
“If that’s how you want to word it, sure.” I used the term man for a reason. “Think you can do it?”
“Sure. Would you like me to add some bikini clad women to the wall too?” he attempts to joke, but this is business and I’m not joking. Plus, he’s not funny.
“I’m perfectly capable of getting real women in bikinis in this house, so no thanks.”
“No offense, Mr. Lee, I’m well aware of who you are and your reputation in Birmingham.�
�� His eyes squint, crinkling at the corners, and I faintly wonder if it’s simply because of my reputation or if I’ve slept with someone he knows personally. “I can start next week,” he finishes.
“Next week? Monday then, I’m assuming?”
Elliott shakes his head. “Mr. Lee, I need to do measurements, get my laborers ready, and let’s not forget, ordering the material. Plus, I haven’t even given you an estimate yet. Unless you’re going to pay for overtime, then I was thinking more like Friday of next week.”
Might as well push it off an additional week then.
I cross my arms over my chest and straighten my posture, knowing that it’ll make me even taller, which is perfect for intimidation. “Since you are well aware of who I am and my reputation, then you know I don’t mind spending money and I like things done as soon as possible. I have the blueprints already. Just need to get the work done.”
“Um, well then. Monday it is,” he stammers.
“Good. I have some other things to do. I’m sure you can find your way out.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll get it done, no problem.” He shakes my hand before leaving. Money and a well-known name does payoff sometimes, that’s for sure.
Chapter Five
Kinley
“Well, I can see that this campaign is going to go down the crapper before the first shot is taken.” My boss tosses the plans back at me that I had stayed up all night creating. “Kinley, I thought you could handle this. That’s why you got this promotion. Now, the photographer has quit because of what Carson Lee did to the last guy and this plan you have is worthless. Get it together or find another job.” He storms out of the room, leaving me alone.
“What the hell?” I mumble. I need to start over. I need to get ahead of this game. How am I going to do this?
I make a quick list of what I need. Of course, the photographer is first, and I know the perfect person. I gather everything together and head out the door. I drive downtown and waltz right into C&C Photos.
“Hey, Kinley. I didn’t know you were coming today.” Cassie smiles up at me.
“I’m here on business, not pleasure.”
Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captan, My Captain #3) Page 2