Work harder.
“Peter, thanks for taking my call.” I don’t bother trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. The more I’ve thought about this, the more pissed I’ve gotten. And that’s saying something because I haven’t been thrilled with the partners for months as it is.
“It sounded urgent, Olivia. And you’re not my agent who overreacts. So tell me, what’s going on?”
I stand from the table I’ve turned into my outdoor office for the day and pace, knowing I’m about to walk a precarious line. “I’d like to know what your plans are for Logan.”
The line stays silent for a beat before Peter clears his throat. “In what regards?”
“In general. He mentioned in passing that he hasn’t heard from you, and I know he was unaware, as was I, that you were retiring when you took him on as a client in August. It’s October. Do you have an exit plan set for him? Are there any sponsorship opportunities scheduled that you need him to look at? Any ways to continue to increase Logan Adler as a brand, now that the season is beginning.Tonight.”
He takes a beat and I can only imagine the tense look in his eye that I’ve seen many times as he formulates his response. “I thought you and I could discuss that.”
No is on the tip of my tongue.
I don’t want my husband to be a transaction of mine.
But I also don’t know that I trust anyone else with him.
Precarious. Line.
“And when would we do that?” I ask through gritted teeth, already strategizing how to make this work.
“It would have to be next week. My schedule is full this week. But the partners and I have much to discuss before then.” There goes that motherfucking carrot again. “Let me check my schedule, and I’ll get back to you.”
My phone beeps, and I look at the screen.
Logan
How are you feeling?
This man shouldn’t be worrying about me before a damn game. He has to focus. Not hear that I’m tired and a little dizzy and about to rip the balls off my boss, metaphorically speaking, of course. “Let me know as soon as you do, and I’ll work my schedule around it. I’d like for you to get Logan’s sponsorships on track and the plan laid out for him some time this month. I think it’s only fair since he really felt like you misrepresented yourself by signing him without telling him of your retirement plans.”
And maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit, but Peter doesn’t need to know that.
Logan got screwed last year, not by me, but by an underwhelming agent.
I refuse to let that happen to him again.
Pete is a giant in this industry.
But he’s also a relic, and I fear Logan is going to pay the price for him being stretched too thin. He doesn’t need to work on his existing contract with the Nobles. That’s set. What he does need to do is have my husband’s back the way he said he would, and right now, I’m not so sure that’s what’s happening.
“Misrepresented is a strong word, Olivia.”
There’s a threat buried somewhere in that sentence.
But if this man thinks I scare that easily, he’s obviously never bothered to pay attention.
“I’m sure it can all be worked out once there’s a transition plan in place,” I assure him. “And Peter...” I wait a beat for dramatic effect. It’s not like this is my first rodeo after all. “I don’t want to be his agent. He’s my husband. Not my client.”
“We’ll do what’s in the firm’s and the client’s best interest, as always, Olivia. I can assure you.”
I know they’ll do what’s in the firm’s best interest.
It’s the client’s I’m concerned with.
Logan
