Even the Score(37)

“Sorry.” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “I zoned out, dreaming about your interview.”

She narrowed her eyes, looking at me like I was a bit crazy. “I told him just to come by and chat, no strings. He said okay. That was it. I’m not even sure it qualifies as an interview, but I still came in early to prepare as much as I could.”

“Ah! So that’s why you were parked in my parking spot?” I joked. The words were out of my mouth before I realized it might have sounded shittier than I meant for it to.

Her eyes snapped over to me. “Your parking spot? I’m sorry,” she apologized sincerely. “I didn’t even notice the sign.”

“Well”—I shrugged—“there isn’t a sign, that’s just where I’ve always parked.”

She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, pushing her breasts together. “There’s not a sign?” she challenged, arching one eyebrow at me. “Then I do believe it’s the early bird who catches the worm.”

I stood up from her desk without saying anything, half annoyed and half turned on, and sulked back to my office.





CHAPTER 14

Danicka

Pacing back and forth in my office, I coaxed myself to take deep, calming breaths as I watched the second hand on the wall clock go round and round and round. Waiting for Kyle Keegan to show up was making me more anxious than I had been in a very long time. Over the past several years, I’d conducted hundreds of interviews, and one of the things I’d learned was that it was the young men that scared the crap out of me. Not in a literal, worry-for-my-safety kind of way, but they were more eager to roll the dice and still see what was waiting for them outside of your office. The older, more seasoned athletes were the ones who knew there wasn’t always going to be another agent waiting for them around the corner. Kyle was young, he was good, and he knew it. I had to be better.

“Are you ready?” Ellie’s voice broke through the silence of my office.

I sighed and shrugged. “Hope so.”

“You’re going to do great. I mean, look at you.” She motioned down and back up my body. “How could he not love you and want to sign today?”

Tilting my head to the side, I planted my hands on my hips and pursed my lips together. “I know, El, but I want him to sign with me for me, not for my tits.”

Ethan, who’d been passing by my office, stopped at the word tits and took a couple of steps backward to my doorway. “Whoa! Good morning!” He grinned devilishly.

“Good morning, Ethan. Keep on walking.” I laughed and sat back down at my desk as he stuck his bottom lip out and disappeared.

“It’s almost time. Good luck.” Ellie raised her eyebrows and grinned at me. “You got this.” She turned and walked out my door, pulling it shut behind her.

I glanced up at the clock for the millionth time and decided that I had just enough time for a quick call to my dad. No one’s pep talks even came close to his.

The phone rang twice before he picked up. “Hey, kid!”

“Hey, Dad. I’m not waking you, am I?”

“Dani.” He laughed. “It’s after ten here. I’ve already been up, surfed, showered, ran to the grocery store, and taken the dog for a walk on the beach.”

“Ah! You’re right. Early bird and all that. I should’ve known better.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure of receiving a call from my superstar sports agent daughter, anyway? It’s not too often these days that you call me first.”

“I have a big meeting this morning, and I’m just nervous. Killing time, I guess.” I didn’t want to tell my dad I needed a pep talk; I just wanted him to give it to me. Didn’t parents kinda sense those things anyway? It’s like dad code or something.

“A big interview?” His voice rose with curiosity. “With who?”

“You might not know him . . . yet. Young kid, baseball player. Kyle Keegan.” With the phone at my ear, I pulled my hidden floor-length mirror out from behind the bookcase and studied my reflection.

Should’ve worn the blue shirt.

“Kyle Keegan!” my dad hollered loudly in my ear. “He’s been all over SportsCenter lately. He’s all they’re talking about. He’s like the home run king!”

I couldn’t help but giggle at my dad’s excitement. “I know.”

“And he’s coming there? To see you?”

“Thanks for the confidence boost, Dad,” I said drily.

“Sorry. I’m just excited for you. I can’t wait to tell those young assholes down at the gym later that my girl had a meeting with Kyle Keegan.”