Chapter 21
VAL
Smelling samples was one of the finest pleasures in life, as far as I was concerned. Currently, I’d smeared three fragrances on my left forearm and three on the right one.
My fellow chemists were up in arms about this, first because the skin’s chemistry altered the smell, and second because after sniffing three fragrances, the nose became too overwhelmed to tell the finer differences.
That was the theory. In practice, I knew that most people headed to a store and tried as many fragrances as possible, even on their skin. No one had time to try only three, then go back another time for more.
In any case, I’d identified most of our iconic fragrances by breaking the rules, so I planned to keep doing it.
I was alone in the small room because I asked not to be disturbed when I was sampling.
I needed to concentrate—pick up on the finer notes, try to imagine what sort of emotion or reaction they could bring out in a customer.
Sometimes I even wrote marketing briefings while I was at it.
The conversation with Davis two weeks ago was at the back of my mind.
I was semiconsciously wondering what kind of fragrances we could make for the potential exclusive line.
Shaking my head, I resolved to concentrate on the task at hand before I went back to my office to compose an email to our sales associates.
It was the end of November, and the Christmas rush was almost upon us.
Midway through the process, I heard commotion in the corridor, even though the door was shut.
I listened carefully, frowning when two of my newest employees ooh-ed and aah-ed. Then another familiar voice spoke.
“Of course we can take pictures, ladies.”
Jace was visiting. That was weird. I grew downright concerned when I heard Hailey’s voice as well. Had something happened? Whenever we met during the week, we met elsewhere, because my office was far away from everything.
When both he and Hailey entered the room, I scrutinized them. They looked happy and relaxed, so I relaxed too.
“This is a surprise.” A very welcome surprise. I might not like being interrupted while sniffing samples, but I made exceptions for my siblings.
“Thought we’d pay you a visit,” Hailey said. “We also brought lunch.”
She held up a takeout bag, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation.
“Let’s go upstairs. I don’t want the smell of food lingering here. It’ll make testing harder.”
Up the stairs we went and into the smaller of the two break rooms. It was empty. Most employees went out for lunch, and those who didn’t preferred the other one because it opened up onto a balcony.
My siblings had brought quinoa and avocado salad, and as we dug in, I studied them. This wasn’t a random visit. Hailey held her shoulders slightly raised, which meant she was in work mode, not relaxing mode, and Jace glanced at her from time to time.
“So, full disclosure, we’re not here just for lunch,” Hailey said eventually. “I had an idea.”
“I’m listening.”
“You know that our brother here is rather famous.”
I feigned having to think it over. “Really? I couldn’t tell. I think two of my girls tripped over their own feet for a picture with you.”
His fame was unusual, because soccer typically didn’t get as much attention in the US as basketball or hockey.
But my brother was more famous for being attractive than for playing soccer. It all started a few years ago when he appeared in a high-profile commercial. The internet exploded.
Then GQ ran a list of sexiest soccer players, and his fame carried over from the internet to the real world. In a town full of stars, it was saying something that Jace was so popular.
“Three, actually.” Jace flashed a sheepish smile.
“And I know you need a model for your fragrance line for men,” Hailey continued.
“Yes,” I said slowly.
“She wants to offer me up as tribute,” Jace said with a wink. “Now that I’m famous and all that. She didn’t even give me the time of day before.”
“Don’t egg me on before I’ve even finished my lunch. It’s a dangerous endeavor,” Hailey warned.
“Wow.” I looked directly at Jace. “You’re interested in that? You never told me.”
“You never asked. I thought maybe you were looking for something else.”
I cocked a brow. “Tall, handsome, and voted sexiest soccer star second year in a row? You’re hot property, brother. I’d love to if you’re game for it.”
“I am.”
Hailey clapped her hands. “I knew this would work out.”
I looked between them, trying to put two and two together.
“How did you end up discussing this? Did you meet during Hailey’s office hours to talk about marketing opportunities? Don’t you specialize in PR scandals, sister?”
“She always catches on,” Jace murmured in a defeated tone.
Hailey sighed. “He needed my advice for another matter, but we ended up discussing this as well.”
Alarm bells were ringing in my mind. If he needed Hailey’s expertise, shit had hit the fan.
“Jace… what happened?”
My brother hesitated, then said, “Someone wrote to the club, insisting she’s pregnant with my kid, and that if they didn’t give out my contact info she’d go to the press.”
I went still as a statue.
“Is it true?” I asked eventually.
Jace dipped his chin to his chest. “Low blow, sister. Thought you’d be on my side instantly.”
“I’m always on your side,” I clarified. “I just want to know the facts.”
“No, of course it’s not true. I’ve never even met the woman. The club’s PR department usually deals with this without even telling us. Apparently people will invent all sorts of things to get our personal information.”
“I don’t understand. Why is this an issue, then?”
“She gave a very detailed account of what I did while I was out at a pub to celebrate a victory. It seemed real, and it gave our PR people pause. Which is when I turned to our dearest sister for advice.”
“The Lords’ PR people and I reviewed the footage of all the security cameras at the pub.
We’d found out what she looked like by searching her name on Facebook,” Hailey said.
“She’d been at the pub that night, watching him, which was why she could give all those details.
But they never even spoke, and she left before he did. ”
I remembered them whispering together during the past two Friday dinners.
I’d ask why they hadn’t shared this with all of us like I’d told them about my issues with Beauty SkinEssence, but I knew Hailey’s modus operandi: she only shared a problem after she’d solved it.
I hadn’t known that Jace also subscribed to that.
“It took some time to get the footage and look through it, but when she was confronted with the evidence, she dropped the issue,” Hailey explained. “Then Jace and I moved on to happier topics, which included him stripping for your ads.”
Jace groaned. “I only agreed to think about shirtless ads.”
“We’ll wear him down,” my sister fake whispered to me.
“We’ll do whatever you’re comfortable with,” I assured Jace.
“But you’ll persuade me to be comfortable with stripping?” he guessed.
I grinned. “I promise not to.”
“Well, you’re no fun today.” Hailey pouted, then checked the time on her phone. “I have to go already.” She stood up, kissing us both on the cheeks. Jace didn’t make a move to leave.
“We drove here separately,” he offered at my questioning glance.
“Are you okay?” I asked him after Hailey left.
“Yes. I just didn’t need this drama, but I guess no one ever needs it.”
Jace was a happy-go-lucky kind of person. He’d always been that way, as if nothing could faze or bother him. But lately, I’d sensed that something was off with him. I hadn’t voiced that thought because I was trying to be less of a mother hen to them all, but I didn’t want to stay silent anymore.
“There’s more bothering you,” I said slowly.
“When I decided to play professional soccer, I wanted to do it because I loved the game. But lately it feels like the game is on the back burner. Ever since the GQ title, things became insane. I can’t complain, fame brought me many advantages too, and I’ve enjoyed them, it’s just that….”
“What?”
“It’s a bit too much. The pressure, the expectations. All these people coming out of the woodwork wanting to befriend me. I envy you. You built all this, but you’re in the shadows.”
“Are you sure you want to go on with the advertising gig? It won’t help the cause.”
“I think it’s time I got used to all of this, took advantage of it. Listen to me, rambling on about first world problems.” He shook his head.
“Hey, problems are problems. And grappling with change is natural, I think. It’s a process, like everything else.”
“What if I’m just not cut out for it?” he said in a slightly lower tone, and I could tell it was weighing on him.
Usually, when I gave advice or reassurance, I tried to put myself in the shoes of the other person, but in this case, I was out of my depth. My brand was built around the products, not myself, so I’d always been in the shadows.
“Jace, you’re the Lords’ most valuable player. Your game is excellent. That’s the important thing. The rest is secondary, but if it’s becoming too much, I’m sure you can take measures to avoid the limelight.”
“I know, but it also seems stupid not to capitalize on my luck. I know that this career isn’t forever.
If I’m unlucky, an injury can take me out at any time.
All these contracts for commercials are good money that I’ll need later.
In Dad’s words, I just need to toughen up.
This won’t last forever anyway. I have maybe ten years left to play, and then everyone will forget who I am.
Sorry for laying all this on you. I guess I just needed to vent. ”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You can always talk to me.”
“Thanks, sis. How is it going with Beauty SkinEssence?”
“It feels like we’re playing ping-pong. Their lawyer makes a move, then mine, then theirs again. Lawyer fees are piling up. I don’t even want to think about it. Sooo, since you’re here….”
“Oh, no. I know what you’re going to ask.”
“How?”
“You were in the sampling room. And you want to drag me there with you.”
“A man’s perspective always helps.”
Jace grinned. I grinned back.
“Fine, I’ll come with you. But only because I feel guilty for dumping all this on you.”
“Awww. I love you too.”