Chapter 5 #3
“Thank you,” I murmured.
When he walked around the table and sat across from me, I couldn’t help but smile. Always the gentleman.
“We are serving brunch until four,” the man said, handing us oversized menus. “Your waiter, Gus, will be with you in a moment. Can I get you anything to drink while you wait?”
“I’ll take a water, please,” I replied.
Lamar nodded. “Water is good. Thank you.”
We took a few minutes to review the menu, commenting on what looked good.
“I’m getting the steak-and-eggs brunch special,” Lamar said. “What are you thinking?”
“I love chicken and waffles. But my eyes keep gravitating to the French toast casserole. I’ve never had that before, and I’m intrigued.”
“I’ve had it and it’s good. Would you like to order, or would you like me to?”
“Oh!” My eyebrows shot up. “Well, you can—”
“Hi, I’m Gus,” greeted an older man with a slicked-back ponytail. He poured water into our glasses and then set the bottle between us. “I’ll be your waiter today. What can I get you?”
“She’ll have the French toast casserole,” Lamar ordered as he stared at me. “What would you like as your side?”
I’d never had someone order for me before, so I was caught off guard. “Oh, um, bacon, please. Crispy.”
“She’ll have the French toast casserole with crispy bacon, and I’ll take the steak and eggs, please. Medium steak, soft-scramble eggs.”
“Very nice choices,” Gus commented, taking the menus from our hands. “Your order will be up soon.”
When we were left alone, Lamar caught me staring at him.
“What?” he wondered, sitting back in his chair.
“I was just thinking about how I’ve never had someone order for me before.”
“How did you like it?”
Biting my lip to keep from smiling, I shrugged. “I don’t know. I was too distracted by you ordering your whole meal halfway cooked.”
He let out a light chuckle. “Please tell me you don’t like your steak well-done.”
“I sure do! It’s the superior way to eat it. The praise is in the name.” I emphasized my point with my hands. “Well done!”
He shook his head, amused. “You were my favorite person in Chance until just now.”
After a few more laughs, I stared out toward the water. “This place is really nice,” I told him. “Thanks for bringing me here. I would’ve never found it on my own.”
“Because you don’t venture out of Chance?”
“Because I don’t venture out of my aunt’s house,” I blurted.
Curiosity flickered across his face. “You did say you don’t come back often.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “So, when you’re here for your one week in the summer, you’re here for your aunt?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, looking away momentarily. “So, where is this business plan I’m supposed to be looking at?”
He hesitated for a moment, seemingly confused by my sudden shift in conversation. “It’s in the car. I mean, I have a copy on my phone, but…”
I reached over the table. “Let’s see it.”
A slow smile spread across his face as he unlocked his phone. “You have to be honest.”
“I have no problem being honest. Part of my charm is that you’ll always know where you stand with me.”
His thumb flew over the screen, and then he handed me his device. “I like that.”
I sat back in my chair and started reading the multipage document.
I knew from our conversation at the sports bar that his idea was a good one.
But reading a fully fleshed-out business plan that was smart, insightful, and innovative impressed me.
From his mission plan, executive summary, and market opportunity, it was well thought out and cohesive.
The information the new professional athletes would learn in the program would help them vet the professionals they’d hire to get what they wanted and needed out of their career.
“Wow,” I commented, lifting my eyes to meet his across the table. “This is brilliant. This would help so many people, and it’s just … so good. You have to do this.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “You would change the game with this, Lamar.”
“Are you sure? This is my baby right here. I put so much into it, but…” A flash of trepidation crossed his face. “I don’t want to fuck this up.”
“There’s no way you could with this type of plan,” I assured him.
“When there’s love and respect for what you’re passionate about, you won’t fuck it up.
This executive summary is the definition of love and respect.
This is amazing. I love the way you thought all this through.
You are—your plan is incredible. You’re about to do great things with this. ”
The crease of worry softened, and he smirked. “I may need you to hype me up like this before I pitch.”
“And I’ll do it. Even though we just met, I’m invested in seeing you make this happen. I’m invested in your success. So, if you need me to help you or to hype you, I will.”
Holding eye contact, he licked his lips. “I believe you.”
“You should,” I replied softly. Squirming under the intensity of his gaze, I cleared my throat. “What are you looking for in the educators you bring on board?”
“People with experience who aren’t actively practicing. What do you suggest?”
I smiled before launching into the list of ideas that had popped into my head as I read.
He nodded profusely with each point I made. “Yeah, that’s good. You’re good.”
“And also reaching out to professors who teach sports law, contract law, sports management.”
“I like that. A lot. Text that to me.”
I pulled out my phone and sent him a text with my thoughts. As I held his phone, I looked between our phones until I saw my text notification pop up on his screen. He had me saved as Jazz, and for some reason, that made me feel warm inside.
“It’s in your messages,” I told him, finishing the section I was reading before handing him back his phone.
As soon as our eyes met, he shook his head. “You’re smart. You’re cool as fuck. You have good ideas. You look good in green.” He set his phone on the table. “I knew there was something about you when I sat next to you on Friday.”
“I’m a wealth of ideas.”
“With ideas this good, just know you can get anything you want from me.”
Fighting a grin, I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Here you are,” Gus announced, placing our food in front of us. “The plates are hot, so please be careful.”
We prayed over our meal and then immediately launched into conversation as we ate. I gave him feedback, and he inquired about my thought process. I asked him questions, and he answered openly, honestly, and emphatically. The more we talked, the more impressed I became by him.
“The goal is to have the information readily accessible to help them put the best people around them,” Lamar explained, after gulping down a huge swig of water.
“Having the information readily accessible will help them decipher a contract and help them negotiate their worth. Too often they jump at the first offer they get because they don’t know any better.
Then, if they get hurt or flame out, they didn’t invest their money well enough to hold them over until they figure out their next move.
I want them to get it right the first time. ”
The passion in his deep voice, the expressiveness in his handsome face, and the conviction in his words were extremely attractive. So much so that when he licked his lips, my eyes followed his tongue.
Squirming in my chair, I looked away briefly to refocus.
“I love it. I think that’s exactly what’s needed.
Because even if the league does help with that, the league is going to look out for the league.
A completely independent entity that prioritizes the players is necessary.
Your idea is life-changing and empowering. Honestly, it’s brilliant.”
His eyes searched my face. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know what else you need, but it feels ready to launch before this upcoming season. Your mission, your summary, your breakdown…” I kissed the tips of my fingers. “Chef’s kiss!”
“I appreciate that.” Tapping his finger against his glass, he looked down before peering up at me. “I haven’t really said much to anyone about this because it isn’t ready yet.”
“It feels ready to me. But if you don’t think so, what do you think it needs to be ready?”
“Time,” he answered. “I’d want this in place by the end of the year, so anyone thinking about entering the draft, anyone looking to make changes in the offseason will have this program. But I’d need time to implement it.”
“Ah.” I nodded in understanding. “So, your current schedule doesn’t make time for it?”
“Not right now, but if I get some things in place…” He let out a huff. “I want to do this right. I want to make this happen. I don’t half-ass anything I do, so I’m not putting this out in the world until I know I can do everything I set out to do.”
“And you will. I can tell.”
“Football has always been my life. Growing up, my goal—my dad’s goal—was for me to make it to the league. But lately, my goal has been to make the league better. And the only way to make it better is to empower the players.”
The passion in his words, in his eyes, in his expression caused goose bumps to prickle my skin. I was listening to him with my entire body.
“I love that,” I murmured.
He silently held my gaze. Even though nothing was said aloud, the energy and the connection we shared stirred something within me. And, from the way he looked at me, I knew he felt it, too.
“I don’t usually speak on what I have going on until it’s official,” he said in a low tone. “But with you…”
My stomach fluttered as his sentence trailed off. “Thank you for sharing with me. And here’s my email.” I watched him type it into his phone. “If you want me to take a look at anything, send it over. I’d be happy to help.”
“There’s something about you…”
I nodded. “I feel the same way. It’s like we were meant to meet.”
“That’s exactly it.” He stared at me, into me, as if he were trying to figure me out. “Because I don’t usually trust people with my stuff like this.”
“I get it.” I cocked my head to the side. “I don’t usually trust people period.”
Running his tongue from one corner of his mouth to the other, he kept his eyes fixed on me. “Do you trust me?”
I nodded, the steady thump in my chest confirming what I’d already known. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Good.” He was quiet for a moment. “I have a mandatory work trip, so I have to head home tonight. Will you still be in the area this upcoming weekend?”
I nodded. “I don’t plan on leaving until next Monday.”
“Good.” A slow smile stretched across his face. “I’ll be back in Spring Hill to finish some stuff up for my mom on Saturday. I’d love to take you out again on Sunday.” His eyes dipped to my lips. “A proper date if you’re up for it.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m up for it.”
“Good. Let me get the check, and then we’ll head out.”