I frown. “I’ve enjoyed enough.”
He rubs the back of his buzzed head. “Our agency came back with another offer.”
Damn it.
“Oh?” I ask, voice neutral. “I’m sure we’ll be happy to offer a response.”
“They’ve got a global marketing pitch. New partnerships just for me and Marshall. They want to position us while they launch these new worldwide initiatives.” He holds my eye. “It means growing my legacy.”
It means a bunch of shiny bullshit is what it means, but I bite my tongue.
“You like the way that sounds,” I tell him. “Legacy.”
Patel turns his palm up, apologetic. “Your agency can’t do global. No one else can. And we are global talents.”
“Global marketing isn’t why you want to join us,” I point out. “You’re an athlete, not a brand to be positioned. That’s the legacy that matters.”
It seems like that might have made an impression, but a second later, Patel shakes his head.
“It’s not a no. Just thought you should hear it from me, first.”
I shake his hand, maintaining my composure. “I appreciate it.”
When he’s gone, I immediately send Mel a text. It’s not unusual to hit snags before signing a new client, but this deal felt so close. Hell, they came to us first.
Except the way his eyes lit up when he talked about his agency’s offer, my gut tells me he’s already made his decision.
Shit.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
ORLANDO
I’m not only walking to the bathroom right now because I’m looking for Troy. I also do have to pee.
Kind of. Icouldpee, at least.
Troy is working tonight, but so am I. I’ve made sure to stay in top form, say the right things to the right people, all that public image stuff that the agency has taught me.
But that’s not my only task. On top of praising my team, I’ve tried to sell Troy and the agency up with every conversation, telling all the other pros how pivotal the support of Frisk Sports has been to my recent success on the field.
After the week I’ve had, I want to establish some trust with Troy again, show him I’m up for the job as an athlete and as a hookup.
I’m not famous enough for the blurry video to turn into a major scandal, and we even managed to spin it a little in my favor. But I took a scolding from my coaches, and I can feel Zeke’s faith in me wobbling, which sucks. That on top of the extra PR and my soccer schedule, I’m exhausted.
But a little less exhausted now that I’m here.
Troy is like a rock. A grunty, hot rock.
I just wish we could actually unwind together tonight. He looks like he needs it as bad as I do. It’s not our regular date, but if I get a chance, I’m definitely asking.
Patel walks by, and I give him a friendly nod, which he returns with a sincere smile and a short wave. When I look behind him, I see Troy standing in the ballroom, frowning at a chandelier like it just insulted his mother.
He’s a handsome devil in that old tux. But as I get closer, I see the frown is serious, not just his regular scowl.
“Hey,” I say as I walk up. “Mad at the ballroom décor again?”
Troy’s jaw twitches. “Just getting some air,” he says, but it’s unconvincing.
