CHAPTER SEVEN

Consider yourself lucky.

Carter

I find AJ carrying gifts out to his truck while the ladies sip on champagne. “Let me help you,” I offer, picking up a stand mixer and following him outside.

“Thanks. Now, we need a house just to hold all this.” He scratches his head, looking at the haul in the back of the dual cab.

“Where are you storing all of this now?”

“My parents’ house. In the bedroom that used to be mine. Now, I’m wondering if we should have rented storage space.”

“You’re lucky to have all this support.”

“No doubt.”

We head back to the barn for more gifts.

“Congratulations on all the exciting things happening in your life. I hear Lakelyn’s a great girl.”

“The best.” There’s no doubt that he’s completely in love. You can tell just by looking at him.

His goofy expression changes, replaced by widening eyes. “I know there are a ton of great athletes that are going into the draft this year. Did you know that your office called me? Said you were interested in representing me.”

“I would never have my office call a prospective client, AJ. I reached out to you personally. I was told by a man who identified himself as your father that you already had representation.”

He frowns and scuffs the ground with his boot. “My representation is my uncle. He says I don’t need an agent. That he knows contracts.”

And he looks concerned about that. As he should be. I also get the feeling there is no one in his life besides Lakelyn who he can talk to about all this.

“What kind of contracts does he do?” I ask.

“Oh, you know, partnerships, S-corps, divorces. That kind of thing.”

“So, family law? Small business? That’s a broad array of specialties.”

“He’s pretty much the only lawyer in town.”

“I see. He has to be a jack of all trades.”

“Something like that. He doesn’t think I need an agent, and I see his point. I could save a lot of money without one. Which could mean a lot of money if I go top five.”

“That’s true. What would your uncle charge you?”

“Just his normal fee for a contract review. I think it’s around two fifty an hour.”

I could choke. This kid has no idea what he’s getting into. “What’s your dad say? What about your coach?”

“My parents are super supportive. They made me what I am. But I think part of them wishes I could settle down here and start a family. They’re behind me though, just like always. I chose to go to a school close by, so they could afford to come to my games, and they never missed one. But that will change when I turn pro.”

“Consider yourself lucky. Many draftees are, at this very moment, surrounded by family and friends who only want a slice of the draft pie.”

“I know.” He scrubs a hand through his hair with a dazed grin. “It’s like I dreamed of this. But I don’t think anyone else other than Lakelyn thought I would actually do it.”

“Even though your parents are supportive?”

He lifts a shoulder. “My parents wanted me to excel academically. Not through sports. Dad played high school football and had a scholarship to play at Arkansas. Then, he broke his leg in a car accident. The offer was rescinded, and he couldn’t afford to go.

“So, my parents preached the importance of a good education. I had to keep my grades up if I wanted to stay in sports. Study, good grades, no girls. No partying.”

“And did that work?”

“Hell no.” We both laugh. “Nah, my freshman year was a blur of girls, working out, and hangovers. But when I got a C in a class, that was my wakeup call. Since then, it’s been straight As, and no crazy partying.”

“It sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”

“I’ve got good people in my corner. Like Lakelyn. She’s a finance major.”

“And how does she feel about your career?”

“She’s fully supportive. Of course she worries I could get hurt, but she says that’s why we both got our degrees. She wants to work wherever we go and plans on investing pretty much everything I earn since we don’t know how long of a career I will have.”

“She sounds like a keeper.”

“Thus why you’re here.”

“It is your wedding after all.” I grin.

He doesn’t grin with me. “I think maybe there’s another reason you’re here though.”

“There is. I’m incredibly in love with Vale.” The words flow so easily out of my mouth, and they shock me, but fortunately, AJ doesn’t seem to notice.

“Lakelyn suggested I call you to seek representation months ago. Now, she thinks you being here is the universe’s way of saying that I should sign with you.”

“Did she research agents?”

AJ laughs. “Not exactly. She maybe sorta has a crush on Danny Diamond and has followed his career. She read you two are close. That you are even his son’s godfather.”

“That is an honor, for sure. His son, Damon, is already one hell of a ballplayer. And Danny is a good father. A good man. And that combination makes it easy for me to get him lucrative endorsement deals.”

AJ’s eyes light up. “That’s what I want. Endorsement deals. That’s what my uncle can’t do for me. Listen, I know I’m a decent-looking guy. I’m soon-to-be married. I even took some acting classes when I was a kid, and I was a natural in front of the camera.”

He’s a smart kid. He knows what brands look for and knows he fits the bill. He deserves better than some jack-of-all-trades relative handling negotiations that could affect his entire life.

“That’s the part of the process I don’t understand,” he continues. “Do they come to me? Can I do it myself? Or do they go to guys with agents?”

“Agents facilitate things like that along the line. We constantly work with vendors to find the right fit, and I often pitch deals to them on behalf of my clients.” Then, because I’m trying to be fair, I say, “It’s something you could do yourself. Contact them.”

“But I really won’t have time, will I? I’ll be training and focused.”

“That’s how most of my clients view it all. Yes.”

He looks me up and down. “I’ve heard you do more for your clients. You take care of them. That it’s not just about the money with you. Like with Danny. Your friendship speaks volumes.”

“Here’s the deal, AJ. It is about the money because we all have to make a living. But for me, it’s more than that. I develop close, personal relationships with my clients. It’s just how I’m wired. And I’ve been successful enough that I’m able to choose who I want to work with.”

“I heard a rumor you turned down repping a Heisman winner because of his partying a few years ago. And that guy went first in the draft.”

I nod. “And how did that turn out?”

“He crashed and burned, lost his contract. Needs rehab.”

“I want to work with athletes who are serious about their careers because they get a lot of personal attention. For example, my clients work with my team of financial advisors and accountants. I don’t make money off any of that, but it’s important for me to know my players are in good hands. We help set up transitions for new draft picks and trades. Help them get settled into their new town, find them a home, the best schools when it comes time for stuff like that.”

His eyes are almost perfectly round. “Wow.”

“It’s what I do.” I shrug. “And there are other things to negotiate. The contract is pretty much what it is. But we can negotiate how long it’s for and how much is guaranteed income. We can talk to teams in advance and get them pumped up about you too. It looks like the first five picks this year will be Jacksonville, New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Cincinnati. Do you have a preference?”

“Really, we think we’d be happy anywhere, but I’m not a fan of cold weather. It would be fun to live somewhere warmer.” He blows out a long breath through pursed lips. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“It’s a big decision.”

“I have a question for you. Would you even consider taking me on as a client? I mean, we’ll be family. Would that complicate things?”

I love that he says we’ll be family. That’s how I want my clients to feel, but then I realize he’s talking about me marrying Vale. He thinks we’ll be family for real.

I clear my throat. “I believe we could keep it professional.”

He nods. “My dad wouldn’t be happy.”

“Here’s the thing, AJ, and this is important. You’re not some kid anymore. You’re an adult. A college graduate. You’re about to be married. It’s great to get advice from people you respect, like your dad and your bride, but ultimately, you—and only you—are responsible for your decisions. Your actions. You’re focused on trying to decide who to please—your dad or your bride. This is your life. You should take into consideration what you want.”

A doormat

Vale

“It looks like they’re getting along well.” Lakelyn nods toward the truck, where AJ and Carter are chatting. “I know it’s not fair of him to ask for free advice and all.”

“It’s fine,” I tell her. “I’m sure Carter doesn’t mind.”

“And he’ll be family soon,” she says.

“Yeah,” I reply, feeling really bad about lying to her. She’s so bright-eyed and happy right now.

“Do you think Carter would consider taking AJ on as a client? Nothing would make me happier.” She leans against me, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders. It does something for my soul, standing with her like this.

How much have I missed out on, just because I can’t get along with my father?

“It will all work out, Lakelyn. AJ loves you and values your opinion. The opposite of Mom and Dad, in other words. Mom would never stand up to Dad. I really don’t understand it. And our sisters seem to be following that same path with their husbands.” I glance over to where our mother is currently talking with the wedding planner. “Their relationship is why I have never wanted to get married,” I confess.

“What?” Her head pops up off my shoulder. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Mom is smart, organized, and has the ability to run a large household while being a pillar of the community. She’s the backbone of so many charities and organizations, yet Dad treats her like … well, the help sometimes. All that seems to matter to him is that his supper is ready at the end of their long days. I’ve never understood it. All I know is that I have no intention of ever living that kind of life. I don’t know. Girl power and all that, but I don’t want to come in second to a man. I want a partnership.”

“I actually think they are a good team,” Lakelyn says, tilting her head at me, like she doesn’t understand why I would say such a thing. “There’s a reason Dad always takes her along to his business dinners. And not just because wives are usually included and everyone knows everyone.”

“What do you mean?”

“While you seem to picture her as some kind of doormat, I see her as a complement to him. They balance each other out. She’s his softer side. He speaks before he thinks. She brings things back around and keeps the conversation flowing and positive.”

“How do you know?”

“She told me so once. I asked why she always goes with him. I figured it would be boring, you know. She said he needs her there. She’s the people person. He’s the one with business sense. She also says that sometimes, when you are married to a strong man with strong opinions, you have to pick your battles. And when something is meaningful to her, she does.”

“Really?” I ask, feeling stunned.

“Yeah. And I get it. AJ and I have very different personalities, and we can bring out the best in each other, using our strengths to be stronger as a whole.”

Her words make me see my parents’ relationship in a different light, but I don’t have time to think about that now because she quickly switches gears.

“Can you even believe tonight is our bachelor and bachelorette parties?” Her eyebrows move up and down, suggestive and playful.

I can tell she’s dying to know what we’re doing, so I decide to egg her on a little. “I wonder whatever we will do with ourselves tonight. You know, when I was planning it all out, I thought, What would Lakelyn want? And I knew it would have to be a super-low-key night. Just some girl bonding. Maybe a few beers out by the firepit. I told the girls to all bring comfy clothes.”

“Really?” she says, looking a combination of disappointed and not wanting to hurt my feelings. “I kinda bought a party dress.”

“I maybe kinda bought a party dress too,” I say with a laugh. “It’s a surprise.”

“Honestly, as long as I can wear my dress and hang with my girls, I’ll be happy.”

“Then, you will most definitely have fun tonight! What are the guys doing?”

“I’m not sure. All I know is that BTO and Blake planned it and said it was going to be a wild night. And even though I totally trust AJ, you know how they are. They both push others to do stupid things. And that worries me a little.”

I give her another hug. “You don’t have to worry. Carter will keep an eye on him. He wouldn’t let AJ do something stupid right before the draft.”

“I’m sure glad he’s here,” she says.

And when I look over at Carter, I have to agree.