by Jillian Dodd
“But I really won’t have time, will I? I’ll be training and focused.”
“That’s how most of my clients view it all. Yes.”
He looks me up and down. “I’ve heard you do more for your clients. You take care of them. That it’s not just about the money with you. Like with Danny. Your friendship speaks volumes.”
“Here’s the deal, AJ. It is about the money because we all have to make a living. But for me, it’s more than that. I develop close, personal relationships with my clients. It’s just how I’m wired. And I’ve been successful enough that I’m able to choose who I want to work with.”
“I heard a rumor you turned down repping a Heisman winner because of his partying a few years ago. And that guy went first in the draft.”
I nod. “And how did that turn out?”
“He crashed and burned, lost his contract. Needs rehab.”
“I want to work with athletes who are serious about their careers because they get a lot of personal attention. For example, my clients work with my team of financial advisors and accountants. I don’t make money off any of that, but it’s important for me to know my players are in good hands. We help set up transitions for new draft picks and trades. Help them get settled into their new town, find them a home, the best schools when it comes time for stuff like that.”
His eyes are almost perfectly round. “Wow.”
“It’s what I do.” I shrug. “And there are other things to negotiate. The contract is pretty much what it is. But we can negotiate how long it’s for and how much is guaranteed income. We can talk to teams in advance and get them pumped up about you too. It looks like the first five picks this year will be Jacksonville, New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Cincinnati. Do you have a preference?”
“Really, we think we’d be happy anywhere, but I’m not a fan of cold weather. It would be fun to live somewhere warmer.” He blows out a long breath through pursed lips. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
“It’s a big decision.”
“I have a question for you. Would you even consider taking me on as a client? I mean, we’ll be family. Would that complicate things?”
I love that he says we’ll be family. That’s how I want my clients to feel, but then I realize he’s talking about me marrying Vale. He thinks we’ll be family for real.
I clear my throat. “I believe we could keep it professional.”
He nods. “My dad wouldn’t be happy.”
“Here’s the thing, AJ, and this is important. You’re not some kid anymore. You’re an adult. A college graduate. You’re about to be married. It’s great to get advice from people you respect, like your dad and your bride, but ultimately, you—and only you—are responsible for your decisions. Your actions. You’re focused on trying to decide who to please—your dad or your bride. This is your life. You should take into consideration what you want.”
A doormat
Vale
“It looks like they’re getting along well.” Lakelyn nods toward the truck, where AJ and Carter are chatting. “I know it’s not fair of him to ask for free advice and all.”
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “I’m sure Carter doesn’t mind.”
“And he’ll be family soon,” she says.
“Yeah,” I reply, feeling really bad about lying to her. She’s so bright-eyed and happy right now.
“Do you think Carter would consider taking AJ on as a client? Nothing would make me happier.” She leans against me, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders. It does something for my soul, standing with her like this.
How much have I missed out on, just because I can’t get along with my father?
“It will all work out, Lakelyn. AJ loves you and values your opinion. The opposite of Mom and Dad, in other words. Mom would never stand up to Dad. I really don’t understand it. And our sisters seem to be following that same path with their husbands.” I glance over to where our mother is currently talking with the wedding planner. “Their relationship is why I have never wanted to get married,” I confess.
“What?” Her head pops up off my shoulder. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Mom is smart, organized, and has the ability to run a large household while being a pillar of the community. She’s the backbone of so many charities and organizations, yet Dad treats her like … well, the help sometimes. All that seems to matter to him is that his supper is ready at the end of their long days. I’ve never understood it. All I know is that I have no intention of ever living that kind of life. I don’t know. Girl power and all that, but I don’t want to come in second to a man. I want a partnership.”
“I actually think they are a good team,” Lakelyn says, tilting her head at me, like she doesn’t understand why I would say such a thing. “There’s a reason Dad always takes her along to his business dinners. And not just because wives are usually included and everyone knows everyone.”
“What do you mean?”
“While you seem to picture her as some kind of doormat, I see her as a complement to him. They balance each other out. She’s his softer side. He speaks before he thinks. She brings things back around and keeps the conversation flowing and positive.”
“How do you know?”
“She told me so once. I asked why she always goes with him. I figured it would be boring, you know. She said he needs her there. She’s the people person. He’s the one with business sense. She also says that sometimes, when you are married to a strong man with strong opinions, you have to pick your battles. And when something is meaningful to her, she does.”
“Really?” I ask, feeling stunned.
“Yeah. And I get it. AJ and I have very different personalities, and we can bring out the best in each other, using our strengths to be stronger as a whole.”
Her words make me see my parents’ relationship in a different light, but I don’t have time to think about that now because she quickly switches gears.
“Can you even believe tonight is our bachelor and bachelorette parties?” Her eyebrows move up and down, suggestive and playful.
I can tell she’s dying to know what we’re doing, so I decide to egg her on a little. “I wonder whatever we will do with ourselves tonight. You know, when I was planning it all out, I thought, What would Lakelyn want? And I knew it would have to be a super-low-key night. Just some girl bonding. Maybe a few beers out by the firepit. I told the girls to all bring comfy clothes.”
“Really?” she says, looking a combination of disappointed and not wanting to hurt my feelings. “I kinda bought a party dress.”
“I maybe kinda bought a party dress too,” I say with a laugh. “It’s a surprise.”
“Honestly, as long as I can wear my dress and hang with my girls, I’ll be happy.”
“Then, you will most definitely have fun tonight! What are the guys doing?”
“I’m not sure. All I know is that BTO and Blake planned it and said it was going to be a wild night. And even though I totally trust AJ, you know how they are. They both push others to do stupid things. And that worries me a little.”
I give her another hug. “You don’t have to worry. Carter will keep an eye on him. He wouldn’t let AJ do something stupid right before the draft.”
“I’m sure glad he’s here,” she says.
And when I look over at Carter, I have to agree.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Proceed with caution.
Carter
“Do you have any idea what I might be in for later tonight?”
Vale sighs, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror as she brushes her hair, getting ready. “There’s a strip club just north of town, and Trent and Blake like to go there. And although Lakelyn trusts AJ, she’s worried the boys will get him drunk and do something stupid.”
“The notion of a top draft pick partying at a strip club with those two is a recipe for disaster. Bachelor party or not. When you’ve seen as many innocent nights go south as I have, trust me, you know the signs.”
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br /> She turns to me, leaning against the dresser with her arms folded under her chest. Her dress is low-cut in the front, and I’m having a hard time focusing on anything else. If we were together for real, I would grab her and throw her onto the bed this second.
Vale gives me her supermodel smile and says sexily, “I know he’s not your client, but is there any chance you would watch out for him tonight? Make sure he doesn’t get himself into any trouble? And keep an eye on Blake while you’re at it.”
“He’s a hell-raiser, isn’t he?”
“Something tells me that my brother and Trent have been looking forward to tonight ever since the engagement was announced.” She pauses and taps a slender finger against her bottom lip. “I could see them trying to get AJ really drunk. Almost hazing him. All in the name of good fun, of course.”
“I’ll make a note of that.” I close my eyes and rub my temples in hopes of warding off a headache as I take a seat on the side of the little bed we’re both expected to sleep in. I shouldn’t be thinking about it so much. About how close I’ll be to her. Back in college, a twin dorm bed was plenty of room for two, and this bed is much bigger than that. “I’m starting to feel too old for this shit. I’m an agent, not a babysitter, which is why I’m picky about the type of man I take on as a client. But whether or not AJ becomes my client doesn’t matter. I like the guy, and I’m not going to let his stupid friends ruin his life.”
She walks up next to me and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Thank you, Carter. I can tell this is stressing you out. And I’m sorry it is. But for what it’s worth, I’m really glad you’re here with me.”
Which is a really nice thing to say, but then she massages my shoulders. It’s something she would do before. It’s something I loved. But today, it makes me flinch.
Which causes her to pull her hands off me immediately. I can tell by the look on her face that she thinks I don’t want her to touch me because I don’t care about her, but she’s wrong. I flinch because I seriously don’t know if I trust myself with her. My thoughts are filled with sex. With desire. With love.
But I can’t say that.
So, I go with something less volatile. “And to think, my plans for today included a jog on the beach, a few hours of work, and Mexican food and margaritas with my sister. Then, you showed up at my door.”
“Oh, come on,” she says, taking a seat next to me. “Don’t act like you’ve never had unexpected excitement throw your day off course.”
“Make that a four-day weekend,” I counter.
This I can do. Be flirty, playful. It comes natural. But then so do a whole lot of other things with her.
I need to get off this bed.
But I stay seated.
“I do really appreciate you being here, Carter.”
She lightly runs her fingers down the inside of my arm. Another one of her ways to relax me. The good news is, it does release some of the tension. The bad news is that the blood in my body is now focusing on a different area below my belt.
“Did you really think that I wouldn’t do this for you? Regardless of what happened with our relationship, I will always care for you.” Thus the reason that ring is on her finger right now. I couldn’t possibly get rid of it. I couldn’t tear it apart and sell the diamonds like they were nothing more than scraps.
She lets out a sad laugh. “Do you mean that?”
Our gazes meet and hold tight. I just stare into her beautiful eyes.
Then, I smirk at her. “Besides, you were on your knees. What man could turn that down?”
She smiles at me and kisses me on the cheek. “I was desperate. It’s kind of embarrassing.”
“I came here willingly. Even if the situation is totally fucked up.”
“Welcome to my life,” she says with a sigh but follows it up with a chuckle.
“I miss your life,” I blurt out.
“What do you mean?”
“I miss you in my life. Do you think when we go back to California, we could be friends? Hang out a little?” God, I sound desperate. Of course, sitting next to her, I most definitely am.
“You mean, like, we’ll hook up?”
And the way her face brightens at the thought is like a punch to the gut. The little reality check that I needed. That’s all I ever was to her and all I’ll ever be.
I let out the kind of dramatic sigh my sister, Chloe, usually makes. “No, I just mean, be friends.”
“I think I could handle that,” she says then adds, “You know, my family already adores you.”
“And I hate lying to them about us. But here we are. At least your grandma gives good hugs,” I tease.
Vale grins but looks like she’s trying to hold back her laughter. “Yes, well, she is affectionate.”
I decide to break her composure. “She grabbed my ass.”
Laughter bursts from her mouth. And it’s contagious. I can’t help but laugh with her and pull her down on the bed with me.
Both of us are lying on our backs, laughing hysterically. It’s fun, and it makes it almost possible to forget why I’m here.
How this is all an act.
But I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
I turn to face her as she continues to giggle. “She asked if my grandfather is still alive.”
“She did not!” Vale giggles some more, covering her mouth with her hand, trying to stifle it. It’s the cutest thing ever. “Do I need to have a talk with her?”
I suggestively put my hand on her hip and smile at her. “I think I can handle it.”
“You going to handle things in the strip club tonight?” she sasses back.
It’s another thing I love about her. She can give shit as much as she can take it. When she drapes her arm over my shoulder and moves closer to me, I become very serious. Especially when her voice drops in pitch and her breath feels warm against my ear.
“You in the mood for a lap dance?”
The air leaves my chest. And although my brain knows she’s just joking around, my body isn’t having it.
Because all I can think about is stripping off her dress.
It’s often what I used to do the second she walked through my door. Half the time, we never made it to the bedroom. She’d call, say she was in town. I’d tell her to stop by. We both knew what that meant. Whether it was for a night or a few days, they would be filled with amazing sex.
Part of me wishes that’s all it had been. That I hadn’t fallen for her.
“From you? Yes.” My hand moves from her hip to her chest, grazing its way across her cleavage. “This is a nice dress.”
“You’re staring at my cleavage like you’ve never seen it before. You’ve seen me in a lot less than this, Carter.”
“The less is exactly what I’m thinking about.”
“Really?”
“Really. You’re beautiful, Vale. But I’m sure everyone tells you that.”
“Not you. Not in a while.”
“Yeah, well,” I say, realizing the path we are headed down. A hot hook-up right here in her room.
I stand up just as the door to the bedroom is thrown open.
“Vale, your mother is looking for you,” Trent says, but he stops dead in his tracks, seeing how Vale is suggestively sprawled out on the bed.
“Don’t you know how to knock?” I ask him.
He just gives me a shrug. “Sorry. Old habits and all.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Before I have the chance to ask her, Vale gets up and says, “Thanks for the heads-up, Trent.”
I want to say something to her. I need to say something to her, but instead, I let her just breeze past me and out the door.
Probably out of my life.
Again.
I finish getting dressed and then sneak down the back stairs and outside to get better cell reception and so I can hopefully talk without anyone overhearing me.
I find a secluded garden bench, take a seat, and then stare at my phone
, wondering who to call as a conversation from the past rolls through my brain. Our family trip to Palmilla. Sitting outside, talking to my older brother, Cade.
“So, what’s the deal with Vale?” he asked me.
“We hook up. It’s fantastic, but it’s supposed to just be fun. Nothing serious.”
“But you want more than that?”
I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. “She travels a lot. Says she doesn’t want to be in a serious relationship, but when we’re together, it feels like it could be serious.”
And it still feels that way.
“How did you meet her again?”
“Super Bowl party last year. We got teamed up in a video game contest. She beat me.”
“Did you let her win?”
“No, I just … she was beautiful, you know. It was hard to concentrate.”
“Fell hard fast?”
“Pretty girls don’t fluster me,” I said. “But she sure did. She’s beautiful and all, but she’s cute too.”
“The girl every boy wishes they could have grown up next door to.”
“I would have been spanking it every day. It would have been torture,” I said with a laugh.
“Oh, give me a break,” he replied, slapping me on the back. “The quarterback always gets the girl.”
“I’m not the quarterback anymore. It’s weird how your life changes. I thought for sure I’d be playing pro ball now. It was all I worked toward, growing up.”
“You used to tell us you were going to be on TV every Sunday.”
“Until the injury that ended my career.”
“Yeah, well, when they carted you off on a backboard, none of us were worried about your career, Carter. We were worried about your life. It was a violent collision that broke your back in three places. You’re lucky you weren’t paralyzed.”
“I know. Life has worked out well for me regardless. I love being a sports agent. I’ve done very well, so it’s not that I’m complaining really, but part of me wonders if I were, if Vale would fall for me.”