I immediately remove the band from my hair and shake it out before settling the cap on my head.
Leopold is probably shitting his well-tailored pants right now, but I don’t care. I’m a Houston Dragon and proud of it.
After an interview that went on for far too long, Carly, my fairy god-agent, scoots the television crew from the house, and I’m finally alone with my family and Carly.
“I’ve got so much to talk to you about,” Carly gushes when I stand up. “The endorsement deals are rolling in. Do you mind if Reno and Bubba join us since they’ve been doing this for years?”
Carly has been Reno’s agent since the start of his career, and Bubba recently switched to her when his old agent retired. I decided to sign with her too, not just because my family members had, but because she really is the best agent in the south.
The rest of the family goes into the backyard to give us privacy, and I settle on the couch with my brother and brother-in-law flanking me. Carly sits on the rustic wood coffee table across from us.
“Okay, first of all, congratulations, Jordie, and thank you for trusting me to take care of you.”
“Of course. You come highly recommended,” I say, nudging Reno with my elbow.
“Let’s start with your salary. It’s the same as we’ve gone over before, but you’ll also get a hefty signing bonus for being the first overall pick in the draft,” Carly says. A thrill runs down my spine every time someone says that.
“Which is great, but that’s not where the majority of your income is going to come from,” Bubba explains. “You have a good reputation and never get into any trouble, so companies will be begging for you to represent them.”
Carly wiggles her eyebrows. “I’m earning my very modest percentage today because I’ve fielded at least twenty phone calls already.” We all laugh at her because she is very well paid. Her rates are fair, but she makes some serious bank when she negotiates big deals for her clients.
“Who have you heard from so far?” Reno asks.
“Well…” she draws out. “Nike and Adidas are battling it out to see who gets you. Nike wants to do a campaign with you and Bubba.” She shoots finger guns at us. “You know, to play up the brother-sister angle.”
Bubba frowns. “I don’t know. This is Jordie’s time.”
I shake my head. “No, I think that could be cool. People love seeing family stuff. Like when the Manning brothers do commercials together.”
Carly lightly kicks Bubba with the toe of her purple designer stiletto. “She’s already more savvy than you, Ward. Consumers do love that sappy shit.”
He chuffs out a laugh. “Okay, get us the numbers, and we’ll take a look.”
She flips through her phone. “Gatorade is trying to lowball us, but I’ll tell them Jordie will go with Powerade if they don’t get their shit together. They will though,” she says confidently before muttering under her breath. “If they want to keep their balls intact.”
I smile at Reno, who gives me anI told you she’s a fighter and a little bit crazysmirk.
“There’s another one I’m really excited about,” Carly says,scrunching her shoulders in elation. “They’re thrilled to support the new WNFL team, and the money they’re offering is…psheww!” She flicks her fingers at her temples like her brains are squirting out.
“Which company?” I ask, trying to remain cool though I can’t help doing a little butt-wiggling dance.
Carly makes an arc through the air and proclaims, “Hale Cosmetics.”
My previous excitement deflates like a popped balloon. “The makeup company?”
“Makeup, skin care, cologne,” my agent lists, not reading my dismay.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” I tell her. “I don’t even wear makeup that often.”
She gives me a rueful shake of her head, and the hockey players beside me chuckle as if I’m being silly. “I once did a commercial for a soda company, and I don’t even drink the stuff,” Reno says.
“How are you even married to my sister, the Dr Pepper fiend?” I ask.
His lips kick up on one side. “We have… other mutual interests besides soda.”
Bubba gives him a flat glare. “Bruh… just no.”
Reno chuckles, amused with himself for riling up his best friend. “I’m just saying, you don’t have to regularly use the products in order to do a photo shoot or commercial for them. As long as it’s a good company that doesn’t go against any of your values, then take that check straight to the bank with a smile on your face.”
