Page 65 of Turn Me On
That night at The Lucky Spot in Chelsea, I line up a shot then tap the cue ball lightly, sending the green ball into the corner pocket.
“Oh, man!” Ronan booms, his big voice matching his big bear of a body. He’s the protector type, for sure. “Again? You two are sharks!”
“I told you, man,” Braxton says, smiling. “He’s crazy good. Just like Adriana.”
My colleague blows on her red nails. “When you’re good, you’re good.”
Ronan grins. Even his smile is big. “Confidence, I like it. These two have it.” But then Ronan’s smile turns to ash. “But how’s your contract work? I don’t like some of the terms his last agent had him sign. I don’t want him to sign anything without a cap guarantee.”
Did he just Google ‘standard terms of NFL player contracts’? “I’d never let Braxton sign without a cap guarantee. I’d never letanyonesign without that,” I add, keeping my tone warm and professional. “We’d get him a full guarantee. That’s what we do.”
“Cool, cool,” Ronan says, as Braxton busies himself with studying his beer glass.
“I’ll want to land him a guaranteed base salary as well as a signing bonus and other incentives.”Like I’ve told Braxton already. This isn’t my first time on the wooing-a-client merry-go-round.
“We pride ourselves on our deal-making with teams and with brands,” Adriana says. “Maddox and I have already been talking to Madison Avenue companies we think will be a good fit.”
Ronan scoffs. “Everything’s a good fit for my man,” he says.
I bite my tongue. Now’s not the time forthatspiel.
At the end of the night, Braxton shakes Adriana’s hand, then mine. “I’ll call you soon,” he says.
Then Ronan cuts in. “We’re going to make a decision in the next few days.”
“I’ll be ready,” I say, filing away thewe’re. This guy definitely has his friend’s ear. Glad I made time for him too, since I feel like we’re one step closer to signing the most sought-after kicker in the NFL.
That should thrill me, but when I return to my hotel, my phone pings with a text from Zane. Instantly, I know what being thrilled really feels like.
Zane:I’m pretending you’re not in New York, ten blocks away at the Luxe.
I catch my breath. I knew he’d landed. I knew his series started tomorrow.
Maddox:How did you know I was at the Luxe?
Zane:You told me you usually stay there.
Maddox:I’m here.
Zane:And I’m over here.
But we’re not together. And I have to be okay with that.
* * *
Any day.
The offer will come any day.
When it’s finalized, maybe Zane won’t need me for much. Adriana could handle the fine details at that point. That’s her role anyway. I strike most of the deals. She executes on them when the papers are signed.
Sure, there will be other deals over the years, but soon, I’ll have the space to get over these messy feelings for my client.
A little distance will cure me.
That’s what I tell myself as I head to meet with Vance the next morning. He’s been out of town, but just returned, so we catch up at a coffee shop in Chelsea.
“And how’s my guy Zane doing?” Vance asks as he sets down his mug. “He’s in town for the Comets series and I’m seeing him tomorrow for lunch. I would love to have good news for him. I found that kid in the draft and snapped him up. Love him. Want to do big things for him.” He glances at the clock on the wall. The message isn’t lost on me. Time is ticking.