Page 42 of The Forever Game

Be flirty?

I’m a married woman!

I want to hold up my rings and show him, but of course I’m not wearing them. Fuck!

It’s tempting to call Ethan and have him crash this meeting, but that would make me look so unprofessional, and I have to prove to him that I can handle this job.

Axel finishes his phone call, and all I can feel is Ryan’s laser beam gaze as I force another smile at the baseball player and try to be charming.

“You’re a popular man.”

He holds up his phone with a grin. “The ladies love me.”

“I’m sure they do.” Shit, keeping this smile in place is hurting my chin… and cheeks… and lips!

I brush my teeth over my bottom lip and try to get straight to the point.

“So, this deal that we pitched to you last month is really promising. You remember the presentation, right? I mean, these guys are going to make you look good.” I draw out the last word, half singing it, and add in a laugh that sounds cringingly plastic. Hoping he doesn’t notice how fake I’m sounding, I rush forward with my pitch. “They’re willing to throw a lot of money at you too. And all they’re asking in return is a photo shoot and one appearance at their new store opening.”

He wrinkles his nose, slumping back in his chair. “Yeah, I don’t know. They seem kind of small-time, you know?”

That’s becauseyou’rekind of small-time, dumbass!

The guy is hoping to make the majors next season, but that all depends on how he plays this summer. If he can have a killer minor league season—which he’s on track for—then the majors are a given. The MLB is already showing interest, and he would have been plucked right out of college if it hadn’t been for that DUI incident his senior year. He’s had to pay his dues and got picked up by a minor league team instead, much to his angst. He should have been grateful, the little shit, but he bitched and moaned until Ryan persuaded him to have a killer season that will make the MLB so jealous, they’ll regret not drafting him immediately.

I tilt my head and catch his eye, my smile bright and no doubt nauseously cheesy. “There’s nothing wrong with getting a little sponsorship to help you through the rest of this year. The fact that companies are interested in you reflects well, you know? The league will notice the fact that you’re already getting sponsorship deals.”

He purses his lips. “I don’t really like their clothing.”

I shoot a glance at Ryan, but he nudges me under the table. His little foot tap is ordering me to sell this… to prove myself.

“Axel, come on.” Shit, I sound like a used cars salesman. “We all know you’ll look good in anything. Your pretty face is gonna be plastered all over the shop and their socials. Plus, you’re bound to get a bunch of fans showing up to the opening of their new store. You could take some selfies, sign some baseballs… it’ll be cool. Great PR.”

He tips his head, his shoulder hitching. “It’s no Nike or Adidas.”

You’re not Babe Ruth, you little fuckwit!

Leaning over the table, he reaches for my hand, and my skin crawls as I let him take it, let him brush his thumb over my skin and smile at me like I’m his favorite treat. “You really think I should do it?”

“Yeah. I think it’d be good for you. Your career.”

“Will you come to the opening with me?”

I swallow, resisting the urge to rip my hand out from under his. “As your agent’s assistant, I will make every effort to be there.”

“She’ll be there.” Ryan grins, resting his elbows on the table and looking hopeful.

Shooting him a glare, he ignores my silent fury and prattles on about how great Axel is and how beneficial a partnership will be with this company.

I finally get my hand back, using the excuse to go to the bathroom. I don’t need to pee, but I wash my hands with soap and rest against the vanity, gazing at my reflection with a hopeless sigh.

My phone starts ringing and I fish it out of my pocket, my insides jumping with comfort when I spot Ethan’s number.

“Hey, Tall Man.”

“Lil’ mouse.” He’s smiling. I can hear it in his voice. “How’s it going?”

“Yeah, all right,” I mutter.

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