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Valentine hands me a copy of my book. I hold it up so everyone can see the front cover. It’s a cartoonish looking kid who is meant to look like me. Word around the publishing house is that they’re looking to turn him into a stuffed character, along with offering me a deal to write a series of books—if everything goes well.
I open the book and start reading. I find that I like it and seem to know when to change my voice. Maybe this is a side hustle or a career for down the road when I can no longer play or maybe I’ll become a voice actor. I can do sexy like the men I hear Kelsey listening too.
After I say the last word, I close the book and set it on my lap. Almost immediately hands go up with questions. As much as I want to answer them all, I can’t, and Valentine steps in.
“Alex is going to go sit at the table and sign books at the long table there. Line up, in a single file line, and have your questions ready.”
“Miss?” a little boy calls out. “Will the other guys sign our books as well?”
I look over my shoulder at my teammates and each of them nod. I don’t know if they’ll ever understand how much their support means to me right now. Valentine sees this and motions for one of the store attendants. It’s like they already know and have more tables and chairs coming out.
We make our way over to the table. She dishes out orders to some of the people around us about needing more pens. I’m told to sit in the third chair, with Russ next to me and Valentine in the first chair. I glance around for Kelsey and find her right behind me, holding pens.
“You’ve got this,” she says and then blows a kiss in my direction.
One of the employees from the store puts a stack of books on the table in front of Valentine, and another sets multiple boxes next to her. I look over my shoulder at Kelsey who steps forward.
“There’s a line of kids outside, but the store is at capacity.”
“Oh, wow.”
“You did good,” Kelsey says. “What may have started out as a ploy to see me has turned into something kids want. You should be proud.”
“I am. I should thank the author of the football romance.”
Kelsey laughs. “Why’s that?”
“Because if it wasn’t for her, I would’ve never met you, and meeting you has been the best thing to ever happen to me. I owe her.”
“Well, you’ll get your chance to thank her because she’s here. Her next book, which I’ve already contracted, is about the center of her football team and how he falls for a woman who doesn’t know anything about football.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Art imitating reality. I love it.”
“Me too.”
Before I sign my first book, I stand and pull Kelsey into my arms. If it wasn’t for her, none of this would’ve happened. Actually, I have a whole lot of people to thank, but mostly the piece of paper that declared me a winner. I’ve never loved being a loser so much until now.
***
