11
NICO
Saint: Well well. What do we have here? Looks like lover boy is a big fat liar. image attached
Diva: The spicy Latina. Ooo. Lover boy likes them hot.
Me: It’s not what you think. The article has it all wrong. She's my PR. That’s all.
Diva: Oh yeah? So you conduct business at her place at one in the morning? I need to get me a PR like that.
Saint: She must be hard at work.
Diva: Wait. Don’t you mean he’s hard at work?
Me: Remind me why I’m friends with you assholes?
Diva: Because no one else would put up with you, dickwad.
Saint: Inquiring minds want to know. Is the cougar teaching her young cub new tricks in the sheets?
Me: Fuck you both. I gotta go.
I ’m back in Monty’s office, the school boy about to get his ass chewed, and I’m thinking that I have just signed my eviction notice. None of what that article said is true, but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to convince Monty of that.
He’ll probably accuse me of seducing Valentina, then fire her and bench me. This can’t be good for either of us. She’ll hate me and I’ll get the rep of the star that never was.
The door clicks behind me and I turn to see Valentina walking in, impeccably dressed from head to toe as always. Stoically, she walks in not making eye contact with me and sits down. She folds her hands in her lap and squares her shoulders, just as always, the ever professional.
I take a deep breath and turn my body to face hers. “Valentina, I’m sorry. This is my fault. I’ll fix it. I promise.”
Surprisingly, she responds but never looks at me.
“We’re both at fault for this. The only person we should be apologizing to is Monty. We let him down.” Just as I open my mouth to agree with her, the door to Monty’s private bathroom opens and in steps the big man.
His eyes are laser focused on the two of us as he steps behind his desk and slowly lowers down into his leather chair.
It creaks under his body weight as he leans back.
The stern look on his face is one that my parents would give me after, once again, getting into trouble after causing mayhem with Nik and Nick.
“Mr. Montgomery. The article has it all wrong. Let me explain–” My words are halted with a raise of his hand and look of pure fire.
He inhales, deep and long, and purses his lips, his thick mustache twitching from side to side.
“This,” he says, his tone flat. “This has got to be the most brilliant idea.” We watch his face morph right in front of our eyes from irate to pure giddiness.
“Say what?” I ask while Valentina says, “huh?”
“It’s genius. I never would have thought to suggest it but you, Ms. San Ramón, are better than I thought you were.”
Valentina and I look at one another, our faces bewildered and wondering if this is real life.
“Sir,” she begins. “I don’t think I understand what you mean. The article that Nico is speaking of puts us both in a damning situation if I am to clean him up. It will take some extra work, but I’m positive I can–”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about! You and Nic.
Together. It’s perfect. Who better to fix this young man’s philandering ways than the fixer herself?
You’re young and brilliant, successful and respected amongst Houstonians.
It’s a shame I didn’t think of this sooner.
We could’ve cut right to the chase.” Monty is animated, his hands flailing and his face red with excitement.
In all honesty, I quite agree with Monty.
You won’t hear me complaining over people thinking we are a couple.
I doubt it will ever lead to anything, but it might be a nice little bonus to have to spend more time with her, possibly holding some hands or even a little make out session for the cameras.
“Excuse me?” Valentina looks like she wants to vomit in her mouth at the thought of her and I playing a young couple in love.
“You know. Maybe you’re right, Mr. Montgomery. People have already seen us out together, pictures have been taken, and the gossip sites are already buzzing with assumptions. Why not just roll with it.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Her eyes jump between the two of us.
“I like a good joke every now and then Val, but you won’t find one here. It will be easy to play this up. You’ll attend games, be seen out at dinners, and spend as much time as possible with one another. In no time, this young man will be the pure definition of a role model.”
“Wait. Just…” She closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose. “You want me to attend his games and spend what little free time I have babysitting him?”
“Hey. I’m not a child,” I interject.
With narrowed eyes, she spits, “Well then quit acting like one.”
“Cool your horses, you two.” Valentina releases a tight breath that she strangles in her lungs. “My dear, a supportive girlfriend would be at all of her boyfriend’s games. And since you’re part of the Drillers family, you’ll have a VIP seat in the owner’s box.”
Her face begins to pale, all signs of life draining from it. I should feel bad about this. She seems the type to be the puppeteer and not the puppet. It’s not her style to follow commands. An ounce of guilt settles in my stomach, and quickly dissipates.
“I do have a job and a life outside of this, Mr. Montgomery.” Her voice is all business, and all pleasantries are out the window.
“My life does not revolve solely around this one case. I have other clients to attend to. Not to mention any new clients that may come my way. It’s how I make a living.
How do I support myself otherwise, if I’m spending every waking moment with…
him .” Her lip curls up and her nostrils flare.
I may not be her dream man, but I cannot possibly be so horrible to cause the look of disgust she passes me.
A grin as wide as the Texas sky falls across Monty’s face, and I just know this is going to be good. “What if I paid you as if I would any employee of mine? I’ll triple your current rate and until Nic is spic and span, he’ll be your only client.”
Her jaw falls comically. I’m waiting for a cartoon tongue to come rolling out and eyes to bulge while the honking ah-wugah blares.
“Mr. Montgomery. You can’t be serious? This is ridiculous.”
“As serious as a heart attack, my dear. And at my age, I don’t joke about that.”
I snort, unable to hold back my laughter any more. This entire scene is playing out in real time and the only thing missing is a buttery tub of popcorn.
Valentina is trapped like a wild animal.
Of course she has a choice in the matter, but the only right one is for her to agree to Monty’s terms. Not accepting this could ruin her career.
And that is probably the only thing that brings her joy.
There is no way she’s going to flush it down the toilet by telling one of the richest men no.
With her back against the wall, she sighs and drops her shoulders. “I guess I really have no other choice.”
Monty claps his hands, loud and thunderous, and my heart beats a little faster. My life just got a lot more interesting .
We walk out of the Drillers facilities, side by side. Me smiling like I just won the lottery, and Valentina grimacing like she just blew her life savings at the poker table. I kind of feel like I did win the lottery. Valentina is a prize that any man would be lucky to win over.
“Quit smiling, you idiot.” She bumps my shoulder with hers, but it does nothing to wipe my grin away.
“Oh, c’mon mi Reina. This is perfect. Think of all the fun date nights we’re going to have. Now, I’m thinking you’re a size small. I need to get you a jersey in every color. Do you like hats? Probably not. Maybe a beanie for the cold games on the East Coast.”
“Err.” She stomps off, leaving me chasing after her. “I am not going to be traveling with you anywhere. You should be grateful that I agreed to do the bare minimum. Or rather, be grateful I was coerced into this…this massive shit storm.”
“Babe,” I grab her arm and tug her to me, our chests colliding. “Don’t act like I’m the hideous beast you’re stuck with. I saw the way those tight little nipples hardened when I took off my shirt. Let’s not forget how you asked me not to make you fall for me.”
From the corner of my eye, I see her arm lift, a flat palm looking ready to strike. I quickly, and gently, grab her wrist to stop her from connecting.
“Nuh uh uh. Careful, mi Reina. Remember…eyes ar e always watching.” She looks around, spotting people walking in and out of the building. “How about a kiss before we part?”
The fires of hell rage in her eyes and if she had the power, the look of death she’s sending me would send me straight into the flames.
“If you put your lips on mine, I will bite it in half.”
“Ooo. That just sent shivers down my spine. I like it rough. Will you spank me, too?”
“I hate you. You better sleep with one eye open because I may just sink a knife into your back, one day.” She jerks away from me and speeds off towards her car.
Running after her, I can’t help but poke the bear. “That implies sleepovers. If that’s the case, then stab away baby.”
The lights on her car blink and she roughly yanks the door open. I move to hold it open for her and she slides in. Resting my arms on the roof of her car, I lean in, my head close to hers.
“No sleepovers. No kissing. No hugging. No dates. This is strictly a business deal and there will be no extras . I’ll show up to your games as Monty has requested, and there will be plenty of photographers to take pictures.
But that is where it will stop. Remember that.
” She tosses her purse on the passenger seat and presses the ignition button, the engine growling with a jolt. “And quit licking your goddamn lip!”
I lick it again, just for her. “Not good enough. Monty said we need to be seen out. I’ll call you later and set up a few dates. I’m in practice every day but I’ll probably need someone to rub down my aching muscles by night.” Before she can protest, I lay a kiss on her cheek and close the door.
I back away slowly, wiggling my fingers at her as I say good-bye, and jog to where my car sits. Looking over my shoulder, I see her car still parked, the engine idling. I just pissed her off but that’s how I like her the most.
I swear I see smoke billowing from her car. The woman is a scorching inferno and I’m in for one helluva ride. It’s a feeling I crave.
Let’s go, Valentina. Time to play.