Zoo grumbled. “I’ma ‘speak with him’ with the back of my hand if he comes at me sideways.”
Cackling, I swatted his arm. “I have a small window to make it home and change before I have to be downtown. You’re gonna be on your best behavior at this interview, Zoo, or we’re not fuckin’ for a month.”
He smacked his teeth but didn’t argue. Just like I knew not to start shit with him, he knew not to argue with me. We had a healthy balance of dealing with each other.
The interview was long but a breeze. Zoo behaved himself, even though we ended up being at the station longer than I thought we would be. Where I expected the reporter to try and slide in the night Zoo got shot, she didn’t. Dame was good about reaching out to the station to let them know what was off limits to discuss. Having him on my team was the best decision I ever made for my career.
Next, we went back to his place. Instead of going out, we stayed in and cooked dinner together. Dame was due any minute to discuss the sports drink deal. Admittedly, I was nervous. I had other endorsements, but this one was a big deal. Getting a major sports drink brand was any athlete’s dream. Winning the championship brought more opportunities my way, and I was going to eat it all up.
About an hour later, Dame arrived. Zoo went and got the door while I finished preparing the table.
“PJ!” Dame’s wide smile was always welcoming.
“Hey, Dame!” I waved and said, “Why don’t you wash your hands, and we can talk around the table.”
“Shiidd, you don’t have to tell me twice,” he stated, glancing around the table at the spread Zoo and I made. He sat the folder in his hands on the table, then moved to the sink to wash up.
Steaks were my favorite, so we made that along with loaded sweet potatoes and corn on the cob. My stomach growled, achingly so, just from the sight of the caramelized marshmallows sitting nicely atop the potatoes.
Once we were settled around the table, Zoo prayed, then handed the floor to Dame.
“These calls are coming in like crazy.” He chuckled. “I’m not surprised since you’re the hottest commodity in women’s basketball.”
Sure, I was flattered, but I waved him off and dove feet first into my potato.
“She damn shole is,” Zoo added his two cents.
“There’s no reason to act like you’re not the shit,” Dame said. “It’s two players I’ll never regret signing, and that’s you and your sister. God dropped y’all in my lap, and as long as y’all allow me to, I’ma do right by both of y’all.”
“That’s wassup,” Zoo commented.
I smiled.
“BodyU is coming pretty hard for you,” Dame started. I expected him to say one of the other sports drinks companies. BodyU was by far a surprise. In the last few years, they’d risen to take control of the sports world with their one-of-a-kind tastes.
“They’re starting a new line of energy drinks they plan on rolling out this Christmas. They want you to be the face of their new campaign, which is huge.”
It was huge. BodyU already had several big names under their belt that could have easily been the face of their new campaign. The fact that they wanted me had me near tears.
“Baby, that’s dope as fuck!” Zoo’s smile rivaled mine.
“The terms are for three years, at one mil per year.”
My eyes bugged, and I almost choked on my food. “What!”
“Damn!” Zoo exclaimed.
“Yeah.” Dame chuckled. “Crazy, isn’t it?”
Nodding, I replied, “What’s the drawbacks? There’s gotta be a downside, and I’d rather know before I get too excited.” I had to slow my heart rate down, but the more I thought about it, the more excited I became.
“That’s a good question. Clients almost never ask me that, and I hate busting their bubble with the negative. However, it’s my job as your agent to give you every detail I know. Mmm.” Dame stopped talking to savor a bite of steak. “Y’all gonna have me coming for dinner every night.”
Zoo and I chuckled.
“The biggest drawback is traveling. I know you do it throughout the season, but it’s different when you’re marketing a brand. You have other endorsements that aren’t as demanding. BodyU isthebrand, though, so they require a lot more time, and a lot more patience. The campaign will start late November. I expect it to run for quite some time, especially moving into the new season. Things will get really heavy then.”
“Okay.” I sighed. Traveling that much during the offseason wasn’t such a turn-off. I glanced at Zoo. “What do you think, Baby?” It wasn’t awkward having him listen to my business. As far as I was concerned, he was my best friend before anything. His opinion mattered to me.
