CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

“Maybe we can give him a chance to prove himself,” Sadie suggests.

“What are you thinking?” Mr. Benson asks.

“We can give him a couple of months to remake his image. If he can stop acting irresponsibly and be a model member of the Pirates, then he deserves to stay.”

“That could work. However, if there’s even one more incident of bad press for him, he’s gone. I want him to be squeaky clean as far as the public’s perception goes.”

Remaining quiet, my eyes ping back and forth between the father and daughter team, waiting for confirmation that this is the plan.

“Nadia, what do you think?” Sadie asks.

“It’s better than the alternative, that’s for sure. You’re giving him another chance, and that’s extremely generous of you. I’ll do my best to make sure he stays in line.”

“I know you’ll do what you can. Hopefully he values his career as much as his work ethic on the field reflects,” Mr. Benson says.

“I can tell you firsthand that he does. He loves playing football more than anything, and his drive is unmatched. I’ll have a talk with him and relay our conversation.”

Sadie rises. “Let me walk you out.”

Standing, I look to Mr. Benson once more. “Thank you for giving Flynn another chance.”

He gives a quick nod. “I hope he uses it wisely.”

“I’m going to see to it that he does,” I reply with more confidence than I feel before walking out with Sadie.

Once we’re in the hallway, she asks, “Want to grab a quick lunch?”

“I would love to, but I need to get Flynn to my office ASAP. Who knows what he might get into tonight if I wait.”

Sadie laughs. “I see your point.”

“I’ll be in touch soon.”

“You better be. I miss you. We haven’t gotten together in too long.”

“I agree.” We exchange a brief hug and I step into the elevator.

As the doors close, Sadie calls out, “Good luck.”

Thanks. I’m gonna need it.

* * *

Back in my office, I pace back and forth across the width of the room while I work out a plan for what I’m going to say to Flynn. I finally give up and drop into my chair. He’s not going to take it well. He’ll deny it at first. His massive ego will make it difficult for him to understand how Mr. Benson could consider letting him go. And lucky me, it’s my job to find a way past his thick skull. There are times when I work exceptionally hard to earn my money, and this is one of them.

Flynn comes into my office like he owns the place. It’s not really his fault. His presence is larger than most, and with his bigger-than-average size, he has a way of shrinking an area down.

“What’s up, Nadia?” he asks. “You wanted to see me, and here I am.”

I fold my hands on the desk in front of me. “Thank you for coming in. I got called into an unexpected meeting with the Bensons.”

“Oh yeah? What did they have to say? Bet they liked that last touchdown I scored for the win last week.” His grin reeks of arrogance and it rubs me the wrong way. Especially after the meeting I attended. It almost makes the news I’m about to share with him less painful for me to deliver.

I’m not usually one who enjoys handing out threats or ultimatums, but Flynn’s ego is out of control, and if I need to be the one to check it, then so be it.

Maybe chipping away at some of the excess will be a blessing in disguise. No one ever died from learning a little humility.

“Actually, Mr. Benson didn’t have anything positive to say about you. He was talking about firing you.”

“For what?” he snarls, gripping the edge of my desk. “For being the best receiver in the league?”

“He acknowledged your talent on the field, but he’s not willing to put up with all the bad press you’ve been bringing the team.”

“Oh, come on. So I like to have fun.” He shrugs. “It doesn’t hurt my game performance at all.”

“Flynn, you’re not listening to me.” He’s reacting exactly like I expected.

“Yes, I am.”

“Then you’re not hearing me. Mr. Benson delivered an ultimatum and I’m relaying it to you right now.” I stare pointedly at him until he nods to let me know he’s listening. “If you get into any more scrapes with the law, get photographed acting inappropriately with women, or anything else that could be considered controversial, you’ll be out of a job. Do you understand? No more J.O.B.”

Crumpling into a defeated heap in the chair in front of my desk, he dangles his hands between his spread legs. “I can’t believe he wants to fire me.” He sounds so dejected, I can empathize.

“If he wanted to, he wouldn’t have given you another chance. But he was very clear about this being the one and only one you’ll be getting. If you fuck up the slightest bit, you’ll be gone.”

He rakes his hand through his hair. “What should I do?”

“You need to stop drinking and stop going to clubs.”

“I guess I can do that.”

“You guess?” My face screws up like I ate a lemon. Here he is being given a second chance and he’s acting like it’s out of his control. “You’re a grown man, Flynn. It’s time to act like one.”

He aims a wounded glance my way. “Okay. You don’t have to be mean about it.”

A small twinge of remorse plucks at my chest. I certainly don’t want to hurt him. “I’m trying to make you understand the seriousness of this situation.”

“Believe me, I do. Aside from the no drinking and clubbing, what else should I do?”

“We need to find a way to make you look more wholesome,” I say.

“How the hell am I supposed to do that? Do I look like the wholesome type?”

My gaze sweeps from his sexily tousled hair to his tight t-shirt and tattooed arms. With him seated, I can’t see any farther, but I