Page 33 of Imperfect Player

“At this point, I’m willing to try anything.”

As soon as I get back to the office, I head for my phone. There’s a Post-It note on my desk that catches my eye. I snatch it before Tripp can see it, just in case.

First time I’ve ever had someone to miss on one of these trips.

See you soon.

Ethan

My heart swells. He’s going to miss me. Me, of all people. There’s a whole world out there for him to miss, but it’s just little old me. My heart also breaks at the fact that the poor man has no one else in his life to miss. No family? No friends?

I know he said he wasn’t a fan of relationships, but I had assumed it meant romantic relationships. Not all of them.

Under Tripp’s gaze, I push the thoughts out of my head and grab my phone to call Yolanda. I set my cell on the desk, putting her on speaker so that Tripp can hear the details as well.

“Active Apparel is launching their Active All-Stars kids’ brand in the next few months. They’re looking for a spokesperson who can command a crowd. Someone who will draw attention to the brand and to the various kids’ charities,” Yolanda says.

“Then I really think that Ethan is your man,” I tell her.

“You all have certainly done a great job of cleaning up his act over the past couple of years. Is that sustainable? I mean, we are marketing to kids. I don’t need him and a million women splashed all over the pages of magazines and newspapers.”

“Not an issue,” I assure her. “Ethan is a great guy. He loves helping kids. He’ll do right by the company.”

“Okay. Well, talk to him, see what he thinks, and get back to me. In the meantime, I’ll send over all the deets.”

“Thanks, Yolanda,” I say before hanging up.

No sooner do I disconnect the call than Tripp is reaching for his phone.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Calling Ethan.”

“Oh no. Absolutely not.”

“Excuse me?”

This is the perfect deal for Ethan-it’s almost as though it was tailor made for him. I can picture it now, him being the spokesperson, raising money left and right for various kids’ charities everywhere. I also know that Ethan doesn’t want to be an in-your-face kind of guy. He doesn’t see himself as a role model. Doesn’t want to be one, despite the fact that I know he can be.

If Tripp shoves this at Ethan now? He’ll turn him down. No, I need to get him to see the impact he’ll have. The lives he’ll affect. Then we might just stand a chance in hell of sealing this deal.

“What? Why?”

“First, because he’s getting on a plane to Chicago for a big series.”

Tripp releases the phone. “And second?”

“Because accosting him with another endorsement isn’t going to work. You need to feed this to him slowly. Trickle the idea in. Mention the kids. Then the company.”

“Everly . . . ”

“I know, it sounds silly, but it’ll work. I’m sure.”

“You better be right about this.”

“And if I’m not? What other ideas do you have?”

“You got me there.”

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