Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
“I can’t speak for what other men would do, but agents assaulting athletes is inexcusable. These young men and women are the top contenders for the U.S. Olympic Team for goodness sake. They aren’t punks hanging out on the street corner catcalling girls.”
“Are you questioning my version of events?” I rise from my seat and lean against his desk.
“I didn’t say that. What I am saying is that this little spat is going to make the news. That kind of press can ruin a star athlete's reputation.”
“Oh, I see. Well, then I don’t think we have a problem. You reprimand Mr. King and I’ll promise not to run his name… and nose…through the mud.”
“And you’ll both speak to the press together this evening. You’ll tell them that it’s all just a big misunderstanding and shake hands.”
“Only if you reprimand him beforehand. Then, I’ll do anything you request.”
“Mr. Mason, I will warn him of the dangers of fighting and disrespecting his potential teammates, but I would be remiss if I didn’t also warn you. If anything like this happens again, you’ll be permanently banned from this facility.”
“You just keep that punk in line, and we can forget this whole thing.”
“I’ll do my best. If you’ll have a seat outside, I’ll call him down.”
I sit on the bench by the front door and call Marissa from my new phone.
“Hello?”
“Marissa? It’s Malcolm.”
“Oh my god. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I ran out on you like that.”
“I got your message. I understand. You were trying to protect me from the press.”
“I was. Unfortunately, I didn’t do the same for myself. I’m downstairs waiting for the administrator to scold smartass King, and then, he’s making us talk to the press. Maybe this will be enough to get the little shit in line.”
“I’m sorry about all of this.”
“It’s not your fault, baby girl. I’m not gonna let anyone disrespect you .”
“But you have a big mess on your hands now all because of me.”
“It’s not because of you. It’s because of him, and it’s not a big deal. It’s just an annoyance. Tomorrow it will all be forgotten.”
“Are we still on for dinner?”
“I’ll have this wrapped up as quickly as I can. Then, I’ll meet you in your room.”
“Okay, good. Andrika worked me hard, and I’m starving.”
“I have to go. They’re coming out.”
Just seeing Everet King’s pretty boy face makes me want to hit him again. I glare at him, but he stares at his feet as he and the administrator approach me.
“I believe Mr. King has something to tell you, Mr. Mason,” the administrator says.
The little shit looks at me and smirks. “I apologize for the way I behaved today, Sir. It was immature and inappropriate.” The look on his face tells me it’s all for show.
“So now, we’re going to meet the press. As I’ve told you both, you’ll tell them it was all just a misunderstanding and shake hands.”
I nod and he leads us to a conference room where two reporters are waiting with a cameraman. I’m sure this isn’t the first time the administrator needed to do damage control with the media. These must be his allies from the networks. Whenever a story breaks, they get exclusive coverage in return for putting a positive spin on it.
“Remember, Mr. Mason, we can’t have anything like this happen again. If you have any further issues with Mr. King, you come to me directly. Physical confrontations in the facility will not be tolerated.”
“I understand. If we’re done, I need to go and see my client.”
“Of course. Just remember the curfew. If she isn’t in her room by ten, she won’t be allowed back until morning.”
6
MARISSA
I hear the knock on my dorm room door and my heart begins to race.
When I saw Malcolm go into the pool with Everet King, I was afraid he’d get banned from the facility. Worse, he might have decided to drop me as a client because of all the trouble I’ve been in.
I take a deep breath and open the door for him. He’s looking down at his phone, and when he raises his head, his eyes settle on the neckline of my blue dress. It’s a lower cut than I normally wear, and I’m showing a bit of cleavage.
“You look amazing,” he breathes.
“You do, too. I like that suit.”
“I know you’re hungry. I shouldn’t have kept you waiting. Shall we go?”
“Yes,” I say and he takes me by the arm, leading me down the hall.
“I’ve made reservations at a place not far from here. They’re a steakhouse but they fly in fresh fish every day from California. When was the last time you had fresh oysters that didn’t come from under a ram’s tail?”
“I’ve never had fresh oysters.”
“Well, then. I know what to order for our appetizer.”
He leads me to a black sedan in the parking lot. Confused, I ask, “What happened to the SUV?”