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

so I guess we won’t have to worry about that scenario arising.”

“Stranger things have happened,” I reply.

“Not to me.” Fiddling with the pearl bracelet wrapped around her narrow wrist, she looks uncomfortable. My gut tells me Nadia hasn’t had the simple past she’s led me to believe since we met five years ago. No matter how professional she may appear or act, I can see beyond the shield she puts up. Maybe it takes a damaged soul to recognize another one. I don’t hide my “fucked up” very well, but I can’t say I’ve ever put any real effort into trying to. I’ve always chosen to live life fast and hard for the whole world to see. And if someone doesn’t like me because of my behavior off the field, then fuck ’em.

Which is how I’ve found myself in this clusterfuck of a situation.

Maybe spending more time with Nadia will help me to behave like a professional athlete should and less like a man who doesn’t care about his future.

Maybe being in her company will teach me how to be more invested in my future. I’ve always gone full throttle through each day without thought beyond that moment. I can no longer do that, at least not for the next couple of months. With any luck, I’ll form some positive habits and be able to sustain them when my job status is once again secure.

“How do you want to go about making us official?” I question.

“How should I know? I’ve never fake dated anyone before,” she says.

Rising, I prop a hip onto the corner of her desk, and sit facing her. “What’s coming up on the calendar for me as far as event appearances?”

Nadia receives my updated schedule from Kendra weekly. She likes to keep up on my appearances, and she helps me out by informing me who else will be attending. She’s more than just my agent.

Even though my sister is officially my personal assistant, the two of them work closely together to keep me organized—well, as organized as I can be.

“Let me check.” Her ringless fingers fly over the keyboard. “Looks like you have a fundraiser to attend next Wednesday night.”

“Which charity is the event for and where’s the venue?” I question.

“It’s for Feeding America’s Families. I meant to ask if you want me to have them waive your appearance fee.”

“Of course I do. It’s disheartening to think all professional athletes don’t do the same. It makes no sense to take money from charities that they can put to good use.”

“Unfortunately, I know firsthand not everyone feels the same as you. I’ve tried to guilt some of my other clients into not taking a fee and they come back at me saying their time is valuable, so why shouldn’t they be compensated?”

“I might not be a model citizen compared to most, but at least I’m not a selfish dick. Even though you were mean and called me one.”

Her lips twitch with a closed-lip smile. “No, you’re a selective dick, not a complete one.”

“Hey, what’s that mean?” I feign outrage.

She laughs. “You have your moments, but most of the time you’re okay.”

I lean forward, closing the distance between us. “I don’t know if you heard, but I’ve got a new girlfriend and she’s a great influence on me.”

“She must have the patience of a saint if she’s dating you,” she quips.

Rapid knocking interrupts my next smart-ass reply.

“Come in,” she calls out.

Her assistant Margot opens the door, tipping her head inside. “I’m going out to grab lunch. What do you want?”

Rising from the desk, I catch Nadia’s gaze and wink. “I’m going to head out now. I’ll talk to you later.” I walk to the doorway. “Have a good day, Margot.”

She smiles. “Thanks, Flynn. You too.”

I aim a final glance at Nadia before I head down the hallway. She looks frozen in place and uncomfortable as hell. Did she expect me to do or say something in front of Margot that would make her think we’re dating? I’ve got plans for our big reveal that will be way more impressive than telling her assistant. We need to kick our relationship off with a bang, and the charity event is the perfect place to do so.

4

Nadia

I watch Flynn walk toward the door. My eyes glide downward from his wide shoulders to his muscular ass. It should be a crime to fill out the backside of his jeans that well. He says a quick goodbye to Margot, and my gaze swings upward just in time to connect once more with his before he disappears from sight.

I expel a long, drawn-out sigh. What have I gotten myself into?

“What was that all about?” Margot asks.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Really?” Her eyebrows jump upward as she walks toward me. I nod, still not sure what she’s referring to. “I felt like I interrupted something. The sexual tension between you two was intense,” she clarifies, stopping in front of my desk.

I snort, dismissively waving my hand. “Don’t be crazy. That was exasperation and nothing more. I earn every penny I make being his agent.”

“Well, whatever that was, it was palpable,” Margot replies.

“Where do you want to order lunch from?” I ask, steering the conversation away from the undesirable topic of my soon-to-be boyfriend. It’s bad enough I’m going to need to pretend to be in a relationship with him starting next week, I don’t want to discuss him now. And in the meantime, I plan to do my best to forget he exists.

“How about Chinese food?” Margot asks. “I’ve been craving Lo Mein for two days.”

“Sounds good. I’ll get my usual.” Leaning back in my chair, I slip off my high heels and rub the soles of my feet on the carpet beneath my desk. “While you’re out, can you please grab my dry cleaning?” I still dislike asking her to do things for me, even if I do so politely. I started Legacy Sports Management ten years ago, and