Page 21 of The Catch

Saint

We're playing another away game this weekend. It's a travel day, and I arrive at the Thunderdome an hour before curfew with a plan.

My first stop is Evie's office. Her door is ajar, but something about the way her laugh sounds stops me. Just in case, I knock.

It takes a couple of seconds before she calls me in. I open the door to find her sitting on her chair, suspiciously busy reorganizing papers on her desk. Logan is in the process of sitting in a free chair in front of her.

"I see." I grin. "I caught you being naughty."

"You didn't catch us at all," Logan says.

"Thanks for knocking, Saint." Evie arches an eyebrow. "That's all I'll say about that."

I snort and come in. "Do you have a minute? Since I interrupted already."

"Sure." She glances at Logan. "Is this a social or work visit?"

She gives her boyfriend a pointed look. A signal to give me privacy.

I dismiss it with a hand as I sit on the chair next to him. "Please stay, Logan. I want to hear what you think. Evie, have you heard anything about the trade talk?"

"Nothing new. I only got confirmation they're looking into the different options. Williamson is the one pushing for a trade. I think he's got it in his head that it's an expensive move, but worth it in the end to make the team stronger. The good news is, they asked me for my thoughts on the fan split— you know, how many people love you and want you to stay, compared to those that… don't."

I cross my arms. "How's that good?"

"The boss cares about the fans' opinion." Logan's frown is in place as usual. "As the owner, Selena has a say in this, too."

"Keeping the fans happy keeps the cash flowing," Evie adds.

I lift a shoulder. "That might be true, but we know if Williamson wants me gone and he convinces Coach, Selena might change her mind. He is the GM, after all."

"Winning the big game will help." Logan crosses his arms. "Harder to trade the guy who managed a winning touchdown or two. You could get the league MVP, too."

I nod. It helps to hear my friend is reaching the same conclusions as me, in terms of my options. Except…

"I'm good, and have beenreallygood the past year and a half, but receivers don't usually get the MVP. If I get it and we win the championship, though, chances are it makes me too expensive for a trade. Both money wise, but also the fans would hate the move. If I don't get it and we lose, on the other hand… I can see what Williamson would say. 'Trade Santiago. Make him the scapegoat. It will appease the masses. All these years and still no trophy…'"

Logan groans. "Don't talk about yourself in third person."

"Saint wants to stay." I grin and keep at it. It's fun to bug him. "That's the main thing."

Evie suppresses a smile. "Does Saint want suggestions?"

"He would love suggestions," I reply.

Logan groans again and rolls his eyes. "Have you talked to Coach Clark yet?"

I shake my head.

"I'll talk to him," he adds. "I'll tell him I don't want anyone new."

"Aww, thanks, QB1. I knew you liked me."

Logan releases a deep, annoyed sign, but doesn't otherwise respond to it. "You talk to Coach too. Let him know you want to stay."

"It can't hurt."

"This won't be news coming from me," Evie says, "but don't underestimate the power of having loving fans. The louder the ones that like you are, the more they'll drown out the naysayers. Thatwillinfluence the bosses' decision, and it's something that you can leverage."