Free Linebacker's Second Chance (Bad Boy Ballers) by Imani King Page B

he’s doing,” Mack responds. “Y’all both do.” He pauses. “But you’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? He’s coaching ball at Hampden Sydney because he couldn’t get a job at a co-ed college. And we got a new QB. But that was—that was a while ago.”
    “That means that by now, everyone’s in the mood for a new scandal. And besides celebrities out in Hollywood, you all are the next best thing. In some circles, a good story about a football player is even better than Brad and Angelina. And recently, all eyes are pointing in your direction. Including that photographer’s eyes—and unfortunately she had an empty SD card and a phone that took some pretty excellent pictures.” I sigh.  
    “Couldn’t help reading up on me, Renata?” He smiles, but there’s an edge to it.
    My cheeks go hot and I absently pull a long lock of hair over my shoulder and start playing with it. I’m liable to make it all ratty looking, but my hands need something to do with him sitting there like that, looking at me with those eyes. “It’s my job to keep track of these things. I’m a sports agent.” I feel the need to add something sarcastic, but I brush it off instead. That’s not the route I’m taking with him.  
    “You gave up on your clause I that contract pretty quick. Wingate could have handled this one by himself.” Cockily, he crosses one knee over the other and leans forward. No, this isn’t the man I used to know, not at all.  
    The wind feels like it’s been knocked out of my sails. And I sense something—he’s trying to piss me off so I’ll say something I can’t take back, or maybe so I’ll just pick up and leave. But I didn’t take this job because I couldn’t stand heat from professional sports players. I brush my hair back over my shoulder and lean forward, looking him in the eye. “Look, if you really want me to leave, I will. Do you think I want to be here? No, I don’t. I’ll go ahead and address the elephant in the room, Mack. You broke my heart. It changed the entire direction of my life, and I don’t want to be here helping you.  
    “But do you know where that life led? It led me to the best sports agency in the country, and I’m the best public relations agent they have. Your cousin is paying me a fuck load of money for me to make sure you don’t screw up your life. But please, by all means, kick me out of your house and send me home. I’m fine with that. I’m not going to beg you. I’m not going to insult you either—Wingate has that covered. And I’m damn sure not going to act like your parent.” I sit back and sigh.  
    Deep down, something in me is jangled. I told him he hurt me. I acknowledged why I was here. None of this was supposed to happen. But if it means that something breaks through to this man, we’ll be in a good place.
    After tonight, I can go back to no contact.
    Tomorrow, I can go back to interviewing.  
    Mack sits back and wipes his hand across his face, sighing deeply. “Wingate’s paying you?”
    “What did you think he was doing?” I ask.
    Mack laughs. “Okay, fine. As long as I don’t have to quit throwing parties, I’m in.”
    I sit back in my own chair, surprised. I gather my thoughts. “Fine,” I say after a second.
    “Fine?” Wingate nearly shouts it.  
    “Sure, that’s fine,” I say, turning to Wingate. “You can keep throwing parties. They’re going to look quite a bit different, though. And you’ll be throwing them with your brand new fiancée.”
    “Say what now?” Mack's deep blue eyes meet mine. There’s a hidden look there, something I can’t read. This should be old hat for him—seducing a woman and getting with her, but this time he’ll be getting engaged. I’m tempted to say that he’s done it once before—and he can do it again. But that’s beneath me, and I guess he must have had his reasons. They’re reasons I have no interest in knowing, reasons that would probably tear me open inside.  
    Still,