In the corner of the room, Emerson catches my eye. He's gathered in the corner with his mom—I never noticed her walk away from me—and a few established Cowboys players.
I flick my gaze between the kid and Sutton as an idea takes shape in my mind.
I thought I needed him, thought the future of Apexdependedon him, but the fact of the matter is that was just my pride talking. I didn’t want Apex to branch out because that’s not the image I had in my mind for the company.
But that didn’t mean that holding Apex to my chest, suffocating it, and keeping it stuck was what was best for the company. Maybe that was best forme, but not the thousands of people I employ or the players I represent.
I was so locked on that concept that I couldn’t see past my own ideals.
But for Sutton? For Hart Strategic Management? She needs that kid more than I do, that’s for damn sure.
Giving myself a quick nod, I stride across the dance floor.
Sutton’s mouth drops open as she watches me pass, but I focus on Emerson. I have to get this handled before I talk to her. The kid is all I can offer her.
I hope he fucking agrees.
He jerks his head in hello as I approach. “Hey, Max, how’s your night going?”
“May I have a word?”
Emerson’s brows lift slightly, but he nods, and everyone in the vicinity steps away from the small table where we stand. “What’s up?”
“I think you should sign with Hart Strategic Management.”
He watches me thoughtfully, but doesn’t respond.
“She’s going places, kid. She has what it takes, even if the numbers aren’t there yet. She’s passionate andgood. She’ll fight for you like no one else.” I pound my fist against my chest. “Not even me. She’ll be there for you every step of the way because that’s who she is, you know? Just this incredible, passionate fuckingbadasswho won’t take shit from anyone.” I pull in a breath, realizing too late that my eyes are wet.
But fuck it.
“She’s who you want to represent you, Emerson, not me.” I motion around the room, to the handful of other agents in attendance. “And not any of them. To them, you’re a series of dollar signs.” I shrug. “That’s who you were to me, too. Money. A way to keep Apex at the top of the Forbes list.” With a deep breath, I add, “But to Sutton? You’re so much more than a paycheck. You’re a person, a man, someone she’ll protect fiercely because that’s who sheis. She’ll love you like a brother and fight for you like a Mama fuckingbear.”
Behind me, someone gasps, and I freeze.
Emerson’s lips twitch as his gaze flicks past me briefly, then he steps forward, clapping me on the shoulder. “I already signed with Athleticas. Your girl turned me down.”
Chapter Forty
Sutton
My heart is stuck in my throat, beating frantically as I stand here, waiting for the man I love to turn around. Tears well in my eyes. There’s an overwhelming mixture of hurt, joy, andfearswirling in my chest.
He hasn’t taken his eyes off me all night and it’s been a testament to my strength—or my desire to inflict pain on myself—that I haven’t run into his arms.
But he hadn’t earned that from me.
Not yet.
Now, though… my throat is so thick I can barely swallow around the emotion. I couldn’t avoid overhearing his speech, and by the whispered murmurs of the people closest to us, I imagine everyone else heard it too.
My heart broke from his words, the pained admissions he made about who he is as a sports agent. I wonder when he became that man, the one who put money above the passion of representing the men and women giving their all on the field.
I know him well enough to know he wasn’t always that way, that beneath it all, Max Cruz is a man whose bottom line is the sport, not the dollar.
But somewhere along the journey he lost that.
I stare at his back, the way his tuxedo jacket pulls taut across his strong muscles, and it’s impossible not to remember the way that skin looks, the smooth curves of each ridge and defined muscle as they jump beneath my touch.
