Oh, shit.
There’s really only one person it could realistically be. I have a feeling I already know, and I’m dreading his next words as I think back to the night I got to town, went to a casino, and happened to run into one of my brother’s teammates.
He was a complete and total asshole.
He had no idea who I was. I was trying to be nice. He walked away without answering my question.
It’s him, isn’t it?
So he’s hotter than the surface of the sun. He’s also more abrasive than sandpaper.
“I do my research on the people we hire,” Jack continues, “and I’ve learned that your brother is Dex. Is that correct?”
I nod.
“Then I assume you’ve seen the viral rant about him from last night?”
My brows pinch together. I should know this, right? I should be aware of what’s going on with my brother and with the team I’m about to start working with.
But my phone woke me up with its ringing when Lily called at six this morning, and I jumped in the shower and darted over here. I haven’t had a chance to check socials to see who ranted about what last night.
I shake my head. I feel small as I do it, as if it’s my fault I’m not prepared this morning. That’s not really true. I didn’t know I’d be working here or when I’d start, but there’s nothing I hate more than walking into something unprepared.
Jack lets it go. “Dex took a dirty hit on Maverick Jennings at practice a couple weeks ago and fractured a rib. Maverick took it upon himself to let the world know what he thought about that when he went out last night. While your brother was dealt with separately by this organization, it’s these types of outbursts we’re trying to mitigate.”
“So I’ll be working with Maverick Jennings?” I ask, my hunch absolutely correct.
He nods. “Yes. We’ll need you on top of him twenty-four seven. You’ll be his agent, his publicist, and his strategist all rolled into one person, with, of course, a budget to work within should you need to hire additional help. Stuart told me you gave up thirty-some-odd clients for this one, but this is abigone. It’s going to be a tough job. Are you up for the task?”
The truth is thatno, I’m absolutelynotup for babysitting Maverick Jennings. He’s a total jerk, and he couldn’t get away fast enough from me that night.
I’m about to open my mouth to tell Jack that I’d like to opt out and head back to Chicago when there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in!” Jack yells.
“Sir, Coach Nash and Mr. Jennings are here.”
Jack glances at me, and it’s the kind of look that tells me he knows I’m up for the challenge.
I’m not so sure…but as the sexy football star walks in with a sour look on his face that turns into recognition when his eyes land on me, I’m not about to say no.
CHAPTER 5: Maverick Jennings
She Hit on Me
“Oh hell no. Hell motherfucking no,” I say.
I realize I sound like a petulant child, but Jack hired a babysitter for me, and it’s the chick who tried to hit on me the other night?
Absolutely the fuck not.
She’s wearing black pants and that same black jacket today over a red shirt. She likes red, I guess. Her lips are still as plump and red as they were at the casino, and she has those same black heels on.
Fuck my life.
“Sit,” Jack commands, and I do. He’s my boss. If I don’t bend to his will, I’m as good as benched. “Maverick, meet Everleigh. Everleigh, Mav.” He makes the introductions, and she reaches out a hand to shake mine as if she’s some professional who wasn’t ready to drop her fucking panties for me the other night.
“Nice to meet you,” she says, and I ignore her outstretched hand.
