Page 15 of 1st and 10 (Season of Change #1)
Crue’s hand trembles in mine, which only partially relieves my nerves.
Knowing he’s as nervous as I am, is comforting, but I still have bubble guts.
I haven’t met Andres Abbott in person yet.
He’s already offered me a generous contract as a community liaison, utilizing my degrees to interact with the public, assess their needs, and determine how best Abbott’s company and local farms can meet those needs.
It’s a dream job, so naturally, I’m expecting him to rescind the offer over dinner then stick us with the enormous bill and ride off in a horse drawn carriage cackling like a madman down the street twiddling his handlebar mustache.
“I think we need to branch out in our movie choices. Disney’s villain portrayal is bleeding into real life.”
Crue stops on the sidewalk just outside the entrance to the expensive steakhouse. He slowly turns his head to look at me over his shoulder and lowers his voice to a whisper, “Are you expecting Abbott to don a long fur coat made from the skin of dogs, too?”
“I am now!” I hiss. He shakes his head, then fully faces me, drawing me into his arms.
“Shh. Shh. He’s a good guy. We’re just letting our imagination—”
“And movie villains.”
“And movie villains run wild. Worst case scenarios are helpful sometimes, but I think right now…only good things will come from this dinner.”
“He’s gonna pay right? It’s not that I feel entitled or anything, it’s just I can’t afford to eat here, and I really want to try one of their big steaks.
” Crue chuckles into my hair, kissing me on the top of my head before pushing me away from him to look me in the eye.
His smile is contagious, and I relax a little more.
“If he doesn’t, I got you covered. Order whatever you want, babe.” I lean up on my toes and kiss the underside of his jaw.
“Thanks, sugar daddy!”
Inside the restaurant, the host with wandering eyes leads us to the back of the main dining room.
His stare lingers on Crue as he directs us to the booth, where Abbott and another gentleman are already seated.
They both scoot out of the booth to greet us.
I lean over to speak softly to the host, “I know he’s pretty, but he’s mine, so watch yourself. ”
The host startles with a fast-forming grin. He fans himself dramatically, “Gurl, you let me know if you ever need a break, I’m happy to tag in.” He bows slightly with a wink and weaves his way through the full dining room back to his station.
“Everything alright?” Andres Abbott questions, his brow furrowed as he watches the host’s back.
“Yes, sir. Phia Kerr. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person.” I hold out my hand and he takes it in a hearty shake.
“Phia. I feel like I know you already, you have an impressive academic resume.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Stop with the ‘sir’ shit. Andres is fine. Or Abbott.”
“Andres.”
“Phia, this is my best friend and one of my business partners—”
“Theodore Prokop. 2-time All-American, 1 st overall draft pick, 3-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL defensive player of the year, 3-time All Pro, Pittsburgh Hall of Honor, and NFL Hall of Fame inductee in his first eligible year.” I rattle off his stats, which is surprising because I’m standing in front of Theo Prokop!
My dad is going to shit his pants when I tell him. I’m about to shit my own right now!
I swallow hard, feeling myself flush as the white noise settles and I realize the three of them are staring at me with their mouths open.
“ I’ve never loved you more than I do at this exact moment.
” Crue whispers reverently. He dips his head down to whisper, “I’m so fucking hard.
Later…in front of the mirror…you’re gonna talk football to me while I pound inside—” I let out an embarrassing squeak and slap my hand over his mouth.
Thankfully, Abbott and Prokop find it hilarious.
I just hope they didn’t hear what he whispered.
I look at them with a sheepish smile. “My dad and I watch football together, occasionally.”
Prokop throws his head back and laughs, “Occasionally? Sure, we’ll go with that.” He motions to the table and the four of us take our seats. I grab the glass of ice water in front of me and drink half of it.
“Thank you both for meeting us on such short notice. I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything important?” Crue glances at me but maintains a straight face.
“Nothing we can’t finish up later.”
“Good.”
“Our parents reviewed the contracts you sent over.” Crue begins and I’m glad he knows what to do because I can’t stop staring at the two incredible and handsome professional athletes sitting across from me. “As did our lawyer—”
“Mrs. Haylee Dalton.” Abbott smirks. “We’ve had the pleasure of speaking with her.”
“Oh?” That’s strange, she’s not a corporate lawyer.
Prokop leans his elbows on the table. “That’s actually why we called for you to meet us. We have a counteroffer.”
Crue and I look at each other in confusion. “But how can you counter your own offer?”
For the next hour Crue and I sit in stunned silence for the most part as Abbott and Prokop lay out their plans. I’m not even sure I’m breathing at this point.
Basically, Crue’s parents reached out to Abbott through Dalton with a new proposal.
The Pribula farm, along with several others in the area, are forming a cooperative, in which Crue will serve as President after graduation, as voted on by the heads of the other families.
I will be community liaison for the cooperative and an independent consultant for Abbott’s company to ensure both the farms and the school food company are meeting the needs of the people.
If that wasn’t crazy enough, Prokop, who is heavily involved in the food company, is also a sports agent.
And while I don’t play any sports, he wants me to turn my thesis into a book.
He has put out some feelers already and had a lot of interest in my unique experience and perspective on tribal mentality in the sports community and the pressure and toxic drive to win at all costs.
He believes I will offer valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and their families.
“I just wanted a big juicy steak.” I mutter when they’re done with their spiel. My comment unintentionally breaks the tension, and we all share a laugh. I’m serious though, this was not expected.
“My parents called you?” Crue asks after we settle back down.
Prokop nods with a smile, “They did. The contract we sent over got them thinking. They talked it over with a few of their friends and that tenacious lawyer.” He shakes his head thinking of Haylee Dalton.
She’s a ballbuster and a hell of a lawyer.
You wouldn’t think she’d be much of a threat at under 5 ⒈／⒉ feet tall and less than a buck fifty soaking wet, but she’s intimidating as hell.
“Came up with a counteroffer of their own that resonated with us and was in line with our cornerstone values.”
Abbott pins Crue with a hard stare, “You have a lot of work ahead of you, son. I know you’re up to it and your parents do too. The question is, do you think you are?”
Crue meets my eyes with a blinding smile, taking my hand in his and squeezing tight. “I am.”
Abbott looks between Crue and I, his eyes softening at whatever he sees. “Good. Then we’ll be in touch after the beginning of the year. In the meantime, my Balearic Island beach house is available anytime you need it for your honeymoon.”
“WHAT?” I shout quite loudly. I want to be embarrassed but he just said honeymoon!
Abbott already paid the bill, so he and Prokop stand up, buttoning their suit jackets at the same time.
Abbott pats Crue on the shoulder. “Or my castle in Scotland if that’s more your style.
” He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Don’t forget to send me an invite to the wedding. I’m told I give good gifts.”
“Bullshit! You gave me a breadbasket last year!”
“I made that myself!” They argue on their way through the restaurant, bickering like an old married couple.
Crue and I don’t move. We don’t blink. We don’t speak for a long time. The busboy comes by and cleans our table.
“Did…that just…huh.” I’ve got nothing, not even complete sentences at this point.
“Meeting you…best thing that has ever happened to me, Phia. I put in the work, I kept my head in the game, I fought for what I wanted. And then you jumped into my path and all that work, all that time and sweat and blood and tears and effort…fucking worth it. I found you and the rest of my life began.”
“Asshole!” I blubber throwing my cloth napkin at him. “We’re in public, in a fancy restaurant, and you think now is a good time to be all sweet and make me cry?”