Page 69 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“Yes, whether or not you’ll find the twenty you want, and that flow is a big question mark to me.”
“We’ll aim for a month but have a contingency date in case you need more time.”
“I’ll be ready,” Missy said.
Rose smiled.“Then I’ll see you in one month.”
Missy drove out of Atlanta with her mind swirling.And the first person she wanted to share the news with was Levi, which was so strange because she barely knew him.He wasn’t her person.He wasn’t even her friend.But his eyes were the ones she saw.She tucked that feeling away and when she got home, she went right to her studio and began to paint.She painted for days nonstop, just getting all the emotions she was feeling out.It didn’t matter if she couldn’t have Levi, because she could paint him, and what they’d shared.And no one needed to know how foolish she’d been to fall for a man she didn’t really know.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Levi
All Messed Up
Aweek afterleaving Sandy Point, Levi was still in Florida.He’d not only signed with Tampa, but they also wanted him at spring training right away.He couldn’t exactly tell them no, after he’d already missed weeks of training.He needed to bond with his new team and learn the team dynamics.The season opened in two weeks, and he was way behind.As a shortstop he was expected to lead the team, establish cohesion.And he was also the new guy.The second-string shortstop had thought he was going to have his first season and now there were hard feelings.
Even after making amends with Maddox, Levi’s reputation preceded him.Everyone thought he was a backstabbing dirtbag, decimating the team dynamics.And every story about him still included the Bad Boy nickname.
The hot Florida sun was beating down, even in the shade of the dugout where he sat between innings in a practice game they were playing.First string against second string.His phone rang.
“You need to create a new narrative,” G said in his ear.
“You say that like I know what you’re talking about.”
“You basically let Sara off the hook with that baby daddy story.And even though you got her to admit the baby isn’t yours, the curse of a negative public opinion is still hanging over you.So we need to write a new storyline, and until you do, everyone will think you’re that same guy who sleeps with his teammates’ wives and gets them pregnant.”
“Damn G, they weren’t married and the baby isn’t mine.”
“It doesn’t matter.It’s the perception that you’re a homewrecker.”
“I’m listening.What do you want me to do?”
“You need to change the subject now, talk about your family, your childhood, why you love the game.I’ve crafted some social media for you to post and you’ll do more interviews with diverse media outlets where sports aren’t the focus.”
“Obviously you already have several in mind.”
“Correct, you have an interview scheduled tonight, with a national network.You’ll announce your excitement about playing in Tampa, admiration for your new team, and continue with your regret over what happened with Sara.And try to be seen with Maddox out.”
“The teams don’t really hang out.It’s spring training.Not a frat party.”
“Figure it out.”
Levi let out a deep breath.He knew she was right.His new teammates didn’t trust him or like him.No one was going to believe he wasn’t the bad boy until he showed them.
“Alright, what else?”
“You need to be in the press consistently, boring stories, house hunting, maybe doing some charity work, golfing, working out, no partying.”
“I’m too tired to party.”
“No women.”
“No problem.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I told you.That wasn’t me—it never was.”
