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Four million dollars because I’m getting married?
“That’s nuts,” I say. “My usual offers aren’t even a million each, and you got this much in one day?”
“No. The day’s not over.”
Holy shit.
I haven’t been accepting endorsements over the last two years, but I have been wanting one—a big payday before I retire. This would be a big payday.
“I guess I don’t understand,” I say, trying to make sense of it. “I don’t get this kind of money.”
“Finn Miller doesn’t. But Finn Miller with a fiancée does. Which is why I called to tell you not to do something stupid and tell the world it’s not true.”
“Yeah, but it’s not.”
He groans. “I know that. You know that. The world doesn’t need to know that yet. Let’s sit on it for a few days and see where this takes us. Let’s see what offers come through the door and then make some educated decisions.”
This is all so stupid.
“Are we in agreement?” Chuck asks. “We’ll just sit on it until at least midweek?”
I sigh. “Yeah, I guess. You know I report to training camp next week, right? I want this shit wrapped up before then.”
“And so do the Legends. I already got a call from the GM warning me that this better not affect the locker room. After Chauncey’s mess last year, Kepner isn’t messing around.”
“That’s understandable,” I say, remembering Chauncey’s drama last season. And the season before that—it just didn’t get picked up by the press. “I don’t want it to either.”
“We won’t let that happen.”
Chuck is a pretty decent guy as far as sports agents go, and I do take him at his word. He’ll handle this the right way and make sure the story is squashed as soon as he’s milked it for all it’s worth. And hopefully that’ll include some cash in my pocket for the trouble.
“Let’s make sure of that,” I say.
My phone buzzes again, and when I glance at the screen, my twisted stomach knots.
“Kepner is calling,” I say. “I better take it.”
“Yeah. Just make sure you don’t put out any statements to the press until we talk later this week, okay?”
“Okay. Talk to you then.” I don’t wait for his goodbye and switch to the Legends GM instead. “Hello?”
“Hello, Finn. It’s John Kepner.”
“Hey, Mr. Kepner. What can I do for you?”
He sighs. “I’ve already been in touch with your agent about things floating around in today’s news cycle. But I wanted to personally touch base with you.”
I nod. “I understand.”
“We’ve agreed not to discuss your contract extension until after the season. I would’ve liked to have this done before training camp started, but I respect your desire to wait. However,” he says, his voice sterner, “I would hope that the respect goes both ways, and that if something is changing in your personal life that affects your plans with the Legends, I’d like to know sooner rather than later. You’ll be a hard, if not impossible, player to replace. All the lead time you can give us would be appreciated.”
I glance at the clock on the microwave. I haven’t even been up for an hour, and the day has already fallen apart. Damn.
As I start to tell him that the engagement isn’t even real, Chuck’s words tumble through my head. “Just make sure you don’t put out any statements to the press until we talk later this week, okay?”
“Mr. Kepner,” I say, trying to dance around the truth but still be honest. Lying isn’t something I like or am good at, and I don’t want to be dishonest with him or break my word to Chuck. “I assure you that when I make a choice that affects my playing status, you will be the first call I make.”
“That’s great. Thank you, Finn.”
