Page 36 of Imperfect Player

Me: For Maddox?

Everly: I’m not sure yet. It’s not really his thing. It’s kid clothing.

Me: Not really anyone’s thing – except for kids.

Everly: I know. I just love this company though. They do so much great work with various charities. 25% of all proceeds go to a new charity each month.

Me: Sounds great.

Everly: Right? Problem is, they’re a small startup company. They have the potential to be huge, but they need a big name to give them the traction.

Me: Why do I feel like I’m being suckered into something?

Everly: You’re not my client. I can’t sucker you into anything.

Me: That’s where you’re wrong. You’re probably the only one that can.

Everly: Does that mean you’ll do it?

Me: Only if you say please.

Everly: Please, Ethan. Pretty please with sugar on top?

Me: Fuck! I love it when you beg. Fine. I’m in. Tell Tripp he owes you.

Everly: I will.

Our text conversation continues on for quite a while longer, with me having to resist the urge to send her something dirty every five minutes.

At some point I drift off to sleep, phone in my hand open to her text. When I wake up in the morning, seeing her name puts a smile on my face. Only thing better would be if she were here.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I shake my head.

Where in the fuck did that come from?

I’ve never woken up next to a woman, not even when I was drunk off my ass. I always had my wits about me when it came to that shit. So why, when I’ve never wanted to be with a woman, do I suddenly keep thinking about these things in relation to Everly?

“Because you’re a selfish prick, that’s why,” I say to myself.

The pounding on my door is followed by shouts.

“Wake up, pretty boy, time to roll.”

Fuck.

I had been so busy texting Everly that I never set my alarm.

Rushing out of bed, I brush my teeth and throw on some clothes in a hurry.

“What took you so long?” Fox asks as he and Maddox stand outside my door.

“Overslept. Late night.”

“Thought you were going to bed?” Fox pries.

“I was. I did. I got caught up in a movie.”

No one buys my shit, least of all Maddox.

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