Page 31 of Pursued by the Player

“No, but you will.” The Asian man pushed off the lockers and started to close the distance between them. “I’m assuming Melody has talked to you about the terms.”

“The terms?”

“Of our contract,” the other man said. “I think Mr. Brach is being more than fair.”

Jett shook his head. “I have no idea what you two are talking about.”

The taller man frowned and shook his head. “She’s not closing the deal.”

“No,” the other man said. “Kennedy should have sent us, not her. This is man’s work.”

“You two are crazy.” Jett started to leave, but one of the men put his hand on his chest, stopping him.

Jett frowned down at the hand and waited for it to retreat.

“Sorry,” The taller one said. “Let’s try this again. I’m Greg.”

“And I’m Joel.”

“Mel was supposed to talk to you about your new clothing line.”

“Wait- what?”

“Your new clothing line.” Greg pushed his fingers through his hair. “It’s simple. You lend us your name, and in exchange, we will give you a cut of the profits.”

“You mean to tell me that Melody wants to strike a business deal with me?”

“Why else do you think she’s been dating you?”

“She never mentioned it.”

“Perhaps she was taking the subtle approach.”

The other man laughed.

“Jesus.” Jett turned away from the men and put a little distance between them. “This can’t be right.”

“Oh, it is, believe us.” Greg stepped forward and held out a stack of papers. “We even have the contract to prove it.”

Jett turned back to face them. “You want me to be the face of a clothing line?”

“Not us, Mel.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for her.”

“A promotion.”

“She will take care of the designs, the assembly, and the distribution. She just needs help with the marketing.”

Jett shook his head. “I don’t get it. If Melody is in charge, then why are you two here talking to me?”

“Kennedy Brach is getting impatient.”

“He wants to close the deal as soon as possible so he can roll out the new marketing campaign.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” Jett couldn’t believe it. All this time he had thought that Mel was interested in him, but she was only buttering him up to ask him to put his name, his brand that he had taken years to build, on her clothing line. She wanted to ride his coattails.

“You have to do this,” Joel said.

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