“We do?” Ava and I chorused.
“Of course.” Jaden gestured to me. “This guy has played a major part in my success. Just like you’ve interviewed my family and friends, you should interview him too.”
Ava’s eyebrows scrunched. “It makes sense…” Although I could tell she hated the idea.
“Of course, it does.” Jaden looked between us and smirked. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Ava opened her mouth as if to protest, but then sighed and didn’t bother to speak.
“Awesome.” Jaden gave me a salute. “Linc, we’ll talk. Ava, see you tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
Jaden backed out of the office, watching us with a stupid grin on his face. I wanted to throw something at him, but maybe I owed him. I’d been searching for an excuse to speak with Ava. It was time we buried the hatchet… if that were possible.
Just before Jaden closed the door, he turned back and made eye contact with me. Then, as exaggerated as only he could be, he mimed dribbling a basketball and flicked his wrist, pretending to shoot an invisible ball into an imaginary hoop.
I guess that was him reminding me to shoot my shot. When I narrowed my eyes at him, he smirked, then shut the door with a soft click. The silence rolled in like a suffocating fog the instant Ava and I were alone. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other and glanced around the room.
Clearing my throat, I gestured to the chair in front of my desk. “Please have a seat.”
She rocked back on her heels before aiming for the chair. “Nice office,” she said as she sat. “Fancy.”
I suppose it was fancy. My entire workspace was unapologeticallyLos Angeles—sleek, floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic views of the city. The walls were black with goldaccents, decorated with framed jerseys, signed footballs, and a few candid photos of me and clients mid-celebration.
Leaning back, I watched her take it all in. “It’s a little over the top,” I admitted. “But this is LA after all. When in Rome…”
She snorted softly, her eyes lingering on a framed photo of me and Jaden, post-draft, arms slung around each other. “You’ve been in his corner since day one.”
I nodded.
“He trusts you.”
“Is that a surprise?"
She shrugged. “I thought sports agents were all suits and sweet talk, and a smile that didn't reach their eyes… All about contracts and commissions.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Maybe some are.” I waved to encompass my office. “I didn’t start all this for the money.”
“Is that so?”
I ignored her skeptical air. “When I retired from the NFL, I thought about relaxing… forever.” I had a bunch of other investments that raked in plenty of money, too.
She smiled.
“But I remembered how hard it was for me to navigate when all this money and attention were thrown at me as a kid. How many shady characters tried to take advantage. If I didn’t have a head for business or friends who had my best interests at heart, I’d likely be bankrupt and wallowing in misery.”
“Friends?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
“A couple of my college buddies. Jamie Winchester had so many connections and hooked me up with brand deals and endorsements like crazy. Michael Hayes, a guy with the Midas touch. Showed me how to manage my money and maximize it.” I sighed. “Not every athlete is so lucky. I wanted to be there for the young men and women in the world of sports. Be that oneperson in their corner, not looking to take advantage of them. So yes, Jaden and all my other clients know they can trust me.”
“Well, then, Jaden is lucky to have you. I’m glad he does. I really like that kid. He’s grown on me so fast.”
My gaze lingered on her for a moment. She genuinely meant that. I felt bad about being hard on her when she first got here. Maybe all media personnel weren’t the enemy.
“This is the most civil moment we’ve had since you got to LA,” I said.
“I’d say we got to a pretty high level ofcivilin Jaden’s kitchen,” she replied.
