Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Ho-ly shit, Turner.”
If my head weren’t already sore from the stress of the last twelve hours, I’d probably bang it against my desk. Instead, I pluck the thick, dark hairs that seemingly appeared on my chin overnight as I came up with a game plan for how to move forward now that I’m officially with Cade.
“Really, Andy? I bare my soul to you, and that’s all you have to say?”
Finally, his incessant pacing across my office stops, but he’s rubbing his temples like the sides of a genie’s bottle.
“Sorry, but holy shit. I just found out that you and Cade Owens, your client, were friends in college. You share a best friend. And then after three years of friendship, you were close to dating but he didn’t come back during the offseason, leaving you heartbroken.
I feel like holy shit is the only reasonable response! ”
Telling the whole story probably wasn’t necessary, but I’d needed to tell someone I trust.
“I never said I was heartbroken,” I grumble.
Andy gives me look that calls me a liar in three different languages. “And you had no clue he requested you to be his agent until you heard it in the meeting in front of everyone, but you felt like you had to say yes because Trevor was out for blood.”
A text from Delilah chimes on my phone as I say, “That’s correct.”
“And, now you want to be with him, which means?”
“I have to tell Trevor.” I swallow hard. “Today.”
“Why?”
My nose wrinkles. “Why what?”
“Why do you have to tell him?” He moves to the tiny window that overlooks the parking lot and presses his fist against it. “It’s admirable as hell that you want to, but you know what he’s going to say. He’s going to be a total dick about it.”
“I know, but it’s something I have to do. It wasn’t a one-night stand, Andy.” I’m lost in the memories of last night. The promises. The care. The certainty. “If I want to do this the right way, I need to be upfront and honest. Even if it hurts.”
His skepticism doesn’t wane. “I get it, but I know how much you care about your job.”
“I do.” I smile. “I always will. I’ll still be an agent, and I’ll still have my clients, but I’m doing what makes me happy. Being with Cade makes me happy.”
That seems to break through Andy’s worry. His shoulders finally fall as he sinks into the plush seat across from me. “Wow. I’ve never heard you use the h-word in the office before.”
Orange and pink beads roll beneath my fingers as I play with the wrist strap from Cade.
The happiness I get from success will forever be different from the happiness I get from hanging out with The Quartet, taking a bubble bath, and spending time with Cade.
I haven’t been this happy in years, even knowing the crap that’s going to follow the announcement.
Andy sighs. “I guess I’m just frustrated for you because it’s not fair. Men date their clients all the time in sports, music, and television. Hell, Winston married his client, and they have four kids now.”
“Women don’t get that kind of grace.”
“Are you still going to be his agent?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to be his girlfriend and make contract decisions for him. I may not have breached the code of ethics yet, but that totally would.”
He snorts. “Once again. Men do it.”
He’s right, but the decision has already been made, and I have to be okay with the fact that not everybody will be happy.
I preach to my clients about prioritizing themselves and their happiness but never take my own advice.
Work has dominated my life for long enough; it’s time to add some space for the things that bring me joy.
Andy reaches across the desk and pats my hand. We haven’t been friends for long, but the moment I walked into my office this morning, I dialed his desk phone.
“Well, I’m glad you’re happy, Shay. You deserve that.” His smile droops. “But are you willing to pass Cade off to Trevor? I can’t imagine he’ll be good to him like you are.”
“Actually, that’s the other thing I want to talk to you about.” I reach down into my bag and pull out a manilla folder. Instead of sleeping beside Cade, I worked on this all night. “Trevor won’t be Cade’s agent. I wouldn’t do that to him.”
“Damn.” His eyes blow wide. “Then who?”
I spread the contents of the folder out. “You.”
“Me?” he sputters, eyes flying to the fine print.
“The contract between us can be terminated as long as there’s someone who agrees to take over, and I’m choosing you.
” I wring my hands. When I told Cade my idea, I thought he was going to cry happy tears.
I want him to know I’m serious about this.
About us. “You’ve met him before, and out of everyone in the office, he’d pick you.
You’re the only person I trust with Cade’s future. ”
Misty eyes meet mine. “Even after I was the world’s worst coworker?”
“We’re friends now, Andy.” I laugh. “So, what do you say?”
After a beat, he laughs too. “I say hell yeah! I’d be honored to represent your boyfriend, Turner.” His eyes flick to the door. “So, when are you telling Trevor?”
I check the clock and sigh. “Right now.”
“What is so important that you had to stop me? Tee time is an hour.”
Trevor pouts as he falls into his seat. Although I wish I had been able to catch him in a better mood, he has never been happy with me. And after this meeting, he probably never will.
“I’ll keep it short,” I promise. “I just need to run something by you.”
With a grunt, he waves a hand at me. “Get going then.”
Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself for the worst possible outcome.
Sure, I may not get fired for this, considering it’s not against my contract, but I know things will change once these words are spoken into existence.
Agents may not take me seriously, players may think they’ll get lucky if they sign with me, partners might not trust me, and any morsel of respect I’ve gained over the past year and a half might swirl right down the drain.
I’ll be tying myself to Cade, but I don’t have a single regret.
“I have a personal relationship with Cade Owens. It’s brand new, as of yesterday, and I wanted to let you know immediately. I didn’t want you finding out from someone else.”
As if he’s taken ten espresso shots, Trevor’s eyes go wide. “What?”
He knows what I said, so I continue. “Starting today, Andy will be Cade’s agent.” I pull the signed contract from under my arm and slide it across the clutter. “The agent switch request has already been signed by Andy. He’ll speak with Cade today—”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he seethes.
I grit my teeth. “If there’s nothing else to discuss—”
“I fucking knew it!” He bolts out of his chair, sending it skating against the floor behind him.
“How dare you? You’re going to ruin everything that Permian has worked so hard to build so you can date a client?
Don’t you ever wonder why you’re the only woman here?
It’s because women can’t be trusted around men.
Let alone professional athletes. That’s the only reason a woman would ever work in sports. ”
My body recoils. “That’s like saying the only reason men become gynecologists is to look at women’s privates.”
He shrugs. “I believe that too.”
Fuck, I hate this man.
“You’ve worked with enough athletes to know this is a bad idea, Turner. He could have any woman he wants, and he’s going to choose his agent? Please make that make sense!”
I cross my arms. “You don’t know Cade.”
“I do know the golden b—”
“Stop calling him that!”
Trevor’s grin continues to grow. “What happens when he gets traded to another state? Since you’re so dedicated to your clients here, you won’t follow him. Do you think he won’t find someone who’s willing to chase him forever?”
This is going even worse than I thought it would.
Before I can find a respectful way to tell him to shut the fuck up, the door opens behind me. When Trevor’s smile turns saccharine, I know exactly who is entering the office.
“Everything alright in here?” Winston asks.
I try to figure out a response, but Trevor beats me to the punch.
“Turner’s in a romantic relationship with Cade Owens. Andy has been chosen to take over his representation, and the papers were signed without any input from me, their supervisor.”
A surprised cough flies out of Winston. “Is that true, Turner?”
There’s still time to backtrack. I could act like I don’t know what Trevor’s talking about and return to my normal all work, no play life. Cade would be hurt, but he would be okay. He always is. Trevor’s right.
Hold on. Trevor is never right. Never has been. Never will be.
Squaring my shoulders, I infuse myself with confidence.
“Yes. It started yesterday, and I immediately contacted Andy to ask him to take over. It’s not against my contract to date a client, but I don’t want to mix business and relationships.
In the spirit of honesty, I came to tell Trevor before he heard from anywhere else. ”
Winston’s eyes bounce between us. After a long beat, they land on me, and I get the surprise of a lifetime. The CEO’s lips split into a wide smile as he steps deeper into the office with his arms raised.
“Turner! That’s splendid! Oh, look at you!”
Trevor gawks at him. “Splendid? She’s dating a client!”
Winston shrugs. “It’s not against her contract, and he’s not her client anymore. Good for Andy! I’ve been waiting for him to get more clients on his roster. He’ll do great with Cade.”
“But—”
“But nothing,” Winston cuts him off. “Does that mean you’re bringing Cade to the company BBQ? I have a feeling he’s good at cornhole with that baseball arm.”
I nod, dumbfounded. “I’d love to, but is it okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Correct me if I’m wrong”—he nudges my shoulder—“but I married my client, and it worked out beautifully. Got the kids, the house, and the life I wanted.”
Trevor makes a disgruntled noise, but when Winston looks at him, he reverts back to his fake smile. “Great. Glad everyone’s happy. I need to get going.”
Winston, king of not being able to read a room, wishes him luck at the golf course and leads me out of the office. Even as we march down the hallway, I don’t stop feeling the eyes on my back.