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Great. He’s using his position to control me. I clench my teeth.
“I didn’t say that. It’s just a lot to think about. Like, where would the athletes that stayed here eat? Where would they sleep? You’ve seen the training camps in Jacksonville and Tucson. They all have cities close by so that their athletes can go out to eat and….” My gaze slides to Savannah. I don’t want to say the next part in front of her, but I have to. “You said that Tucson is great because it has so many bars to drink at and good-looking women to cycle through.”
If Savannah is scandalized, she doesn’t show it. She chuckles a little to herself and looks at the ground.
“You’re absolutely right. I was thinking that we would build a brand-new hotel, and maybe facilitate local restauranteurs opening a few new bars and restaurants.”
My eyebrows shoot up in alarm. “In the Cove? I don’t think those tight asses at the city planning commission would even consider approving that. Plus, what do you know about running restaurants and hotels, Rex?””
“That’s not the point,” Rex dismisses me. “And anyway, I was thinking about building in South Shore. The entire downtown area is in serious decline. It’s just begging for a renaissance. The land prices are infinitely cheaper, too. I think the community would be appreciative.”
Savannah barks out a laugh, then claps her hands over her mouth. Rex frowns at her.
“What?”
She fidgets. “I live in South Shore. I love the downtown area. Sure, it could use a few new restaurants and coffee shops. But you should really get the opinion of the community before you just decide to ‘improve it.’”
Rex looks stunned. “Are you saying that they would say no to money? Because that is crazy talk.”
She shakes her head slowly. “Not exactly. But I don’t think you can just decide for a whole group of people. You need other opinions to make a balanced, fair decision.”
I pretend to rub my mouth to cover my smirk. That’s about the nicest way I’ve ever heard anyone tell a person that they are a selfish asshole.
“Savannah–” Rex says.
I stop him. “Wait, wait. Maybe Savannah has a point. If we go ahead with this project – and that’s a big if – we should check and see that everything we’re considering is actually doable.”
Rex crosses his arms and gives me a pointed look.
“Everything is for sale. Especially South Shore. They should be thanking me for bringing a lot of jobs and tax money into their dead little town. Seriously.”
He turns away. Savannah pulls a face for a second before she manages to control her features, but I catch it. She was disgusted by him.
A woman that isn’t reduced to a pile of mush by Mr. Baseball? What do you know?
“Rex.” I pull his attention back to me. “I’ll check out this piece of land for you. And I’ll start putting out feelers in downtown South Shore. Give me a week to see if the idea is even possible. Then we can talk in more detail.”
Rex narrows his eyes at me.
“The only answer I want is yes. I hate to be the problem child….” He purses his lips. “Actually, I don't care if I am being a brat. This is what I want. I am trusting you to get it for me.”
“Okay, but–.” I start.
Rex holds his hand up. “One second.”
He runs back to his truck, retrieves a thin file folder, and runs back to me. He shoves it in my hands.
Opening it, I find an employment contract. Rex has been busy, because my name and Savannah’s name are inked on the document already. He’s filled in the payment amounts for me, too.
I glare at him. “You were a busy beaver.”
“You need her for this project. She can play nice when you are engaged in your grunting and growling. And Lucy asked me to make sure that you pay her well. You really don’t have any options here.”
No, I really don’t. Rex offers me a pen, and I scrawl my signature across the dotted line. I motion to Savannah and give her the contract to sign.
The entire time, I glare at her instead of cussing out the cocky athlete that I really want to yell at.
Savannah silently hands the pen and contract back to Rex. He gestures between us.
