AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In all honesty, I’m not sure I was expecting much more than that, given that we agreed to just one night. But I know I can’t be the only one who felt something more between us, and now I have a way to find out just exactly what thatmoremight be.
The trade wasn’t unexpected, but being picked up by a team in California was. Based on what my agent said, it sounded like Baltimore was more interested in me. No player’s happy about being traded, and lord knows I threw my own hissy fit with the news, especially because the move took me away from my family and the organization I’ve worked hard to build for the past six years.
But seeing Penelope’s face again chisels away the chip on my shoulder I’ve been walking around with since I had to accept the fact that I would be moving across the country. Lo and behold, the universe made a few decisions that landed me right back in front of this woman, and I can’t say that I’m mad about it—although it appears that she is.
Contrary to what the media portrays, I’m not the one-night-stand type. In fact, since I’ve been in the NFL, I haven’t taken a random girl home at all. Not even once. I had a friend from college who would scratch the physical itch I needed to appease from time to time. But like any casual relationship, most things like that must come to an end eventually, and it did about four months ago.
The pictures of me leaving clubs and events with a woman on my arm are not what they seem, but I’ll be damned if I try to explain that right now. I have my reasons for keeping that information close to the vest, too.
“Yes, well, Charles says you’re the best, and I’m sure you’re aware that you have your work cut out for you,” Liam says as he drops Penelope’s hand and crosses his arms over his chest. “The Bolts are a newer franchise to the NFL with a lackluster fanbase, so there is a lot of pressure to make this season the best yet. And now with the addition of Mr. Taylor, it seems we have a carrot to dangle to get the fans excited. We just want to make sure they bite.”
“Penelope is aware and knows the stakes are high. But I assure you, she’s perfectly capable of accomplishing the task at hand.”
I turn to him. “I appreciate your help, Charles. After speaking with you during the Zio’s launch party, I knew your firm could help us out.”
That’s right. It wasmysuggestion to use Edelman PR when I met with the team representatives and coaching staff. Public perception is key to generating excitement and buzz for sports. Just as a teacher fosters relationships in a classroom that makes learning more meaningful, football players can do the same in their communities to connect with fans.
It’s not just about throwing and catching pigskin. It’s about building relationships through a game that people love to watch. Since that’s part of what made my time in New Orleans so successful, I want to continue that here, but I know that won’t be easy given the pressure to bring a team that only won three games last season out of that losing streak.
“We will do everything we can to ensure your future is bright and long with the Los Angeles Bolts.” Charles smiles.
Penelope clears her throat, commanding our attention. “Well, I’m sorry to run off, but I have a meeting I need to prepare for.” Then she turns to me, and I can see her pulse hammering in her neck. “I will be in touch soon, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Nelson, so we can sit down and assess how to move forward with what you have envisioned.” With a curt nod and granting me no opportunity to respond, she takes off out of Charles’s office, leaving dust behind her as she disappears.
Liam blows out a breath. “I’m not sure Miss Klein is what we had in mind in a representative, Charles,” he says, his voice full of irritation.
Charles, to his credit, picks up on his insinuation instantly. “I assure you, Mr. Nelson, Penelope is the best. I hope your reservations aren’t of the sexist variety, otherwise, we might have a different problem on our hands.”
I decide to step in before this gets out of control. “I trust you, Charles, and know just from my brief interaction with Miss Klein before that she is the right person for the job.” The need to see her again slams into me abruptly, so I find a way for me to leave. “If you don’t mind, I need to use the restroom, so I’ll leave you two to discuss any last-minute details. Just let me know what I need to do from here.”
Without any hesitation, I walk out of Charles’s office and begin searching for the brunette who’s been appearing in my mind for weeks, practically running down the halls and gazing into any open door. I’m hoping that once we have a moment alone, I can ask her a few questions that may clear up some of the awkwardness between us.
Of course, I can’t help but be amused by this turn of events, either, and perhaps fate is dealing me a hand I would be stupid to ignore.
It only takes me asking one person where Penelope’s office is before I head in that direction, passing by her assistant on the way in.
“Oh my God, it’s true!” The man sitting at the desk just outside her office squeals as he leaps from his chair and clasps his hands over his mouth. “Maddox Taylor is here!”
“Yeah. Hey.” I reach out to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
His hand trembles as he meets me halfway. “Holy shit, your hands are huge.”
“Well, they come in handy for throwing a football,” I joke.
“Oh, I’m sure they come in handy for other things, too,” he says, eyeing me up and down now, blatantly checking me out.
Eager to not make this more awkward, I change the subject. “Say, is Penelope free? I need to speak with her really quick.”
“I think it’s sweet that you’re asking for permission because you definitely don’t need it. But even if she weren’t free, I would let you do whatever you want. Go right on in.” He waves his hand to the side as if he’s laying out a red carpet for me to walk on, and I give him a nod as I go straight to her door and open it, not bothering with knocking.
As soon as she comes into view, I grin at the sight in front of me. Pacing with her hands in her hair, the woman looks like she’s on the verge of a mental breakdown as she talks to herself.
“Fuckity fuck!” she shouts just before turning around and realizing I’m there. “Oh my God! Maddox, what the hell?”
Closing the door behind me, I stand across the room from her, taking her in but trying not to poke her even more. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh, sure. Just like you didn’t mean to show up at my place of employment and fuck up my day?”
“Not exactly the welcome I was expecting, but sure, we can go with that.”
