“I promised you nine figures total, but we’ll start with eight.” He chuckles, like this is no big deal.
As if my life doesn’t change the moment the contract is signed.
“I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“That’s not all. I’ve had more back-and-forth with Triumph too. They ended up being interested in a deal with Rawley as well.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
“At first, they suggested you two do a campaign together, with deliberate parallels to the one they did with Rori and Landon did last year.”
“Okay.” That photo shoot was steamy as hell and had kicked off the rumors that the two of them were dating.
“But Taylor and I think we should keep your endorsements separate. For one, unlike Rori and Landon, you have a hard expiration date on this thing with Rawley, and it’s not real. Better to keep your brands distinct for these deals.”
“Sure.” I guess that’s logical. Though his emphasis on an “expiration date” and “not real” sends a twinge of discomfort through my chest, which isnotparticularly logical.
“Taylor came up with an idea to have you do a Triumph campaign with Rori instead. Two badass women athletes, exactly the type of branding that will suit you in the long term. The Triumph CEO ate it up.”
A smile widens on my face, even though Aiden can’t see it. “That sounds perfect, actually.”
“The money won’t be as much since they’re a newer company, but it’s looking like a ten-million-dollar package.”
These numbers.“I’m not going to turn that down.”
“Hope not. With these sports brands starting to get locked up, I’ll turn to other industries. Car companies, insurance, restaurant chains—they’re all looking for the next hot athlete to make them ‘cool.’”
“All right, I’ll follow your lead.” I’m less excited about those types of deals though.
He lets out a sigh, but it’s one of satisfaction.
“I know it’s an unusual situation with Rawley. Hang in there.”
I’m not about to let on exactly how unusual things have become with Rawley, so I just keep it simple.
“No worries, all for a good reason.”
“Indeed.”
We hang up, and I finish getting ready.
Except this day isn’t done with changing my life…
“Same line-up as last time,”Coach Anker says in the locker room a few hours later.
Which means I’m not starting. It’s our fourteenth game, a month after our first, with basically a third of the season over.
I’m getting tired of coming into these games off the bench, but I do feel myself sharpening up, things clicking in place for me. My chemistry with teammates, my stamina, and my consistent caliber of play—I’m leveling up to where I need to be.
I know I have more to offer, right here, right now,today.
Determination floods through me as I channel my frustration in a more productive direction.
“Let’s go, let’s go,” Wendy says, clapping her hands as we walk out onto the court.
Like our previous home games, the energy of the crowd is electric as we appear. The wall of purple shirts is a beautiful sight, and the arena DJ is pumping in some hype beats.
It’s going to be a special game.
