I think I’m starting towantto feel things again.
And I’m afraid it might be because of the beautiful woman who’s determined to ruin my life.
CHAPTER 13: Everleigh Bradley
I Don’t Think You’re Broken
What a mess.
I’m a brand strategist, not a public relations coordinator, but it seems I’m supposed to be both for Maverick—according to Jack, anyway. I feel like I’m stepping into unknown territory, maybe especially because I’ve never represented a football player before. Even as I think it, I realize I’ve never actually represented anindividualbefore. It’s always been a corporation or an organization.
I’m not quite sure who to hit up. I text my brother first since he’s the closest person I have locally, and as an added bonus, he lives in the same building as the two of us.
Me:Maverick drunkenly punched someone at Dad’s lounge. What would you do?
His reply is pretty quick.
Dex:Do nothing. Let him sleep it off.
He’s literally no help at all, and I’m not sure I should be sharing details with him considering the animosity between the two men.
I’m lost, but I feel like I met someone who can help.
I have a budget from the Aces. I don’t care if Maverick hasn’t agreed to my terms. I’m the one running the show here.
Me:I’m so sorry to bother you, and I know he’s not your client, but Maverick’s drunk, and he just punched Nick Crawford at a VIP lounge. Can you help?
Ellie’s reply is quick.
Ellie:Crisis management. Contact his lawyer, contain the issue, and control the narrative. Are you still at the scene?
Me:No, we’re in a car on our way back home.
Ellie:Good. Keep him off socials, sober him up, and we’ll work damage control in the morning. Come by my house at nine.
She sends me her address.
Me:Are you sure? And thank you. If you don’t mind, could you draw up a contract for representation? If he doesn’t sign it in the morning, I will on behalf of the Aces.
Ellie:I’ll have it ready at nine. And I’ll have Luke grab some chocolate croissants from Ava Nash’s bakery. Best in town!
It’s after midnight on a Sunday night after game day, and she’s positive, professional, and readily available. Nowthatis the kind of friend I’m looking for in Vegas.
That’s the kind of friend I’m looking foranywhere, to be honest.
Except for Penny, I suppose I’ve let my friendships fall by the wayside in favor of working my way up. But all my life, the majority of my friendships have been fleeting. I’ve never had a girl gang. I grew up surrounded by boys who played sports, and I was dragged to their games whether or not I wanted to be there.
The way I see it, friendships come and go. My career will last me the rest of my life.
Is that a part of the reason that I’m thirty-two and single? Possibly. Probably.
But the other, much larger part of the reason that I’m thirty-two and single has everything to do with Billy Hawthorne.
I fell in love with Billy when I was twenty-two. God, an entire decade ago.
He didn’t fall in love with me until I was twenty-nine.
We were together two years, two days.
