“Thanks again,” I say to him as I let us in.
Yeah, as I scan the front rooms, the house looks pristine. Still, I let out an exhale. It’s nice to have the confirmation.
Sure, the photographers scared me last night, but if all they were looking for was pictures, that’s something I’m used to with Dad. It’s just an adjustment that it’s me who’s the subject of such intense focus.
I pack two bags for the road trip, and within five minutes, Mitchell has us back on the road to meet the team bus at our practice facility.
We’re going to hop a plane to Phoenix, so there’ll be plenty of downtime. Hopefully, I can catch up with Sarah, and see if she minds if I stay at her place for a bit.
When I’d visited from UConn, she’d put me up as part of her “alumni mentor” duties. She didn’t technically need to, but it made it more fun and definitely helped advance our friendship.
Like Landon, she lives in a gated community, but the homes are a bit more modest. Classic three bedrooms, somewhere around two thousand square feet. I’m already eyeing it as a possible option for myself, once my finances get right.
Only a minute after Mitchell and I leave my house, I get a message that makes that possibility feel closer.
AIDEN: Check your email.
I head straight there, and he’s forwarded a message from SkyHigh to Mom and me. His opening line reads, “Now that’s more like it.”
I scroll down and yes, what SkyHigh lays out is hugely better than the first offer.
They’re just bullets, not a contract yet, but I start getting excited.Finally.
-five years
-$15 million
-signature shoe line
-personal logo
Ahhh, this is amazing. I circle back to my texts to tell Aiden as much.
AVERY: Thank you, this is incredible.
AIDEN: It’s just the beginning. Let me get it papered and push them for some sweeteners. Other deals to come.
AIDEN: FYI, they said, and I quote, “we don’t want to miss out on a star like this.” As hard as last night was, our plan is on track.
AVERY: I get it. Let’s stay the course.
Needless to say, I don’t mention to Aiden that “staying the course” possibly means kissing and other things with Rawley now.
I find myself fighting the urge to text Rawley about the deal, but—no, I just left him a short while ago. I’ll text him after we get settled at our hotel in Phoenix.
Mom calls me to relay her excitement, so I distract myself with our conversation for the rest of the ride. A completely different conversation than just forty-five minutes ago.
I guess all of this is worth it, truly.
The team is way toochatty during the trip for me to speak with Sarah, but once we’re at the hotel, I ask her if we can talk privately sometime tonight.
“Sure,” she says, looking curious. “Drop your stuff off and come right to my room.”
Once I explain everything to her about last night, and how I think I might need to move, she jumps in.
“You can definitely stay with me. I mean, you and Rawley are so new you wouldn’t want to crash at his place, I’m guessing?”
“Right. Yes, that would be awesome.”
