Chapter 15 – Jordie #4
I shake my head. “I don’t care. I’ll do it for free if it helps girls be able to play the sports they love.
” My lower lip slides between my teeth as I suddenly feel vulnerable beneath this man’s gaze.
“I come from a small town, and they didn’t even have a girls’ football team.
I had to play with the boys just to get noticed so I could have recruiting film.
Or I could have moved to Dallas since the bigger high schools already had girls’ football teams.”
Phoenix nods slowly. “If you like, I can specify that priority be given to smaller schools when the funds are dispersed.”
“You can do that?” I ask excitedly, and he rolls his eyes.
“I can do anything.” He’s so cocky, and I don’t dislike it one little bit.
“That would be amazing. There are large schools in Texas that have multi-million-dollar athletic budgets, while the smaller schools depend on the local athletic booster clubs to do bake sales.”
“I’ll take care of it. And your school has a girls’ team now, right?”
My head bobs up and down. “Yes, they had a lot of interest after I graduated and went to college on scholarship, so they got a team started two years later.”
A grin widens his mouth. “Look at you being a trailblazer, McNamara.”
“I wasn’t trying to be, but I guess it’s a happy consequence,” I say, feeling warmth infuse my cheeks at his praise. “Tell me more about the campaign.”
He does, and I’m a hundred percent sold. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to working with Kennedy.
“All the terms have been negotiated by Kamryn Hart,” he tells me. “She’s with Montgomery Sports Management.”
I bend my knee and prop my foot beneath my butt, turning to fully face him. “She’s the agent Carly suggested I go with. What are your thoughts?” I don’t know why I trust this guy I didn’t even like until tonight, but I do.
“I think she’s a fucking ballbuster,” Phoenix says with a grin. “And that’s exactly what you need since you’re apparently an awful negotiator. I don’t think you know your own worth, Jordie.”
“I mean, I know I’m a good football player, but all the rest of this…” I wave my hand vaguely in the air. “Endorsements and armed guards? I’m still adjusting.”
He pats my knee, and I find myself wishing he’d leave his hand there, but he doesn’t. “It’s a lot to adjust to, and you’re doing fine. You’re welcome to call me any time you have questions or just need to talk something through.”
“Thanks,” I say, swallowing hard around the lump in my throat.
“Good, send me your practice schedule, and I’ll set up a meeting with Kam and Kennedy in Philly.”
“Okay, let me know so I can make travel arrangements.”
Phoenix shakes his head like I’m ridiculous. “All that will be handled for you. We’ll take the Hale jet.”
My mouth gapes open for a long moment. “You have your own plane?”
“Yesss,” he draws out. “We’re the largest cosmetics company in the nation, and we have divisions on four different continents. It only makes sense that we’re able to travel at our convenience.”
“Add traveling by private jet to the list of things I have to get used to,” I mutter.
“Maybe you’ll have your very own plane one day,” he teases. At least I think he’s teasing.
“I currently drive a fifteen-year-old truck that was handed down to me by my dad,” I inform him wryly. “There’s paint chipping off in places, so I don’t think plane ownership is in my near future.”
“But soon you’ll be the owner of a brand new black truck with a purple pinstripe and the optional rally fun pack,” he says, making an extravagant flair with his hands. “You’re well on your way to the jet-setting lifestyle.”
I laugh as I push myself from the couch. “Thanks for all your help, Phoenix. I’ll get out of your hair. I’m sorry I got the date wrong and crashed your spa party with Reece.”
He stands as well, and I have to look up at him since he’s taller than me. “It was fun having you here. Thanks for being so sweet to Reecie.” His voice is soft and holds so much adoration when speaking of his daughter.
“I have nieces and nephews, so I’m used to being around kids. Reece is a doll, by the way.”
Phoenix chuckles as he walks me to the door. “She’s a little thug.”
“She is not!” I protest on a laugh as I smack his arm.
“She’s totally living that thug life,” he insists, though he’s smiling when he says it. “Don’t let her cuteness fool you.”
When we reach the door, I turn to him. “Thank you again for going over the contracts with me and for the new opportunity with your company. I’m excited to work with Kennedy.”
“Don’t forget to send me your schedule so I can get our trip planned,” he reminds me. His hand reaches forward and brushes down my arm. It’s only a brief contact, but my arm tingles from the simple touch. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too.” My voice sounds creaky, like someone opened a long-forgotten door inside a haunted house. I need to get the hell out of here. Now.
“And text me when you get home so I can make sure you got there safely.”
“It’s only a fifteen minute drive.”
He lifts one demanding eyebrow. I never knew eyebrows could be demanding, but he pulls it off flawlessly. “Then I look forward to hearing from you in sixteen minutes.”
It’s not until I get home and send Phoenix a proof-of-life text that I realize I’m still wearing his sweatshirt. Flopping down on my bed, I pull the neckline up over my mouth and nose, inhaling deeply, shamelessly.
It smells freshly laundered, but somehow his masculine scent clings to the fabric. I close my eyes and hear Phoenix Hale's voice.
Since you’re already our girl…
And as I fall asleep, an errant thought shoots through my hazy mind.
I kinda wish he'd said my girl.