Page 34 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

Chapter

Twenty-One

J ace felt more grounded with Darby around.

Even if she wasn’t at work with him, he knew she was at his condo, prepping for her new job.

He’d taken time to read over the lesson plans Kay had shared with Darby, as well as gotten online and looked at examples of the Hawthorne Herald and Horizon .

Both the newspaper and yearbook were far more sophisticated than his own high school’s publications from a dozen years ago when he’d graduated.

Darby’s enthusiasm was catching, and he was eager to see what her students would produce, glad that he now had a handle on what she would be doing.

She was already working on choreography for her cheerleading squads.

She explained how the national competition worked.

Several cheer organizations existed, and her former one, Cheer USA, would be the competition she would take the group she coached to.

Kay had planned for the Hawthorne JV and varsity squads to compete in Dallas, and Darby was holding to that plan.

He had two meetings he could not put off, and Darby had said she understood.

One was with a prospective client who quarterbacked the SMU Mustangs in Dallas.

Jace had followed Boyd’s career in high school and continued to do so once he signed a letter of intent with SMU.

He had meet with Boyd on three previous occasions, and the senior had asked to meet in person with Jace tonight.

It was SMU’s off-week, so he was eager to visit with Boyd, who’d told Jace he was bringing his girlfriend to the meeting at Fondren, one of the libraries on campus.

Jace had decided to bring Darby with him.

Not only would she be able to see him in action, he thought it would help relax Boyd and his girlfriend to have Darby present.

He pulled up to his building, and Darby bounded out the front doors, dressed casually in black leggings and a red tunic top. She got into the car.

“I wore red for SMU,” she said, accepting a quick kiss from him. “Anything to help convince Boyd that you’re the best agent for him.”

“He can’t decide tonight,” he explained. “Legally, he wants to maintain his amateur status and finish out play this year. I’ve met with Boyd a few times over the years. Had my eye on him since he was a sophomore in high school.”

“That long?” she asked.

“Yes. A good agent is always keeping an eye out for talent. Some of the student athletes burn brightly in high school and then fizzle out in college. Others see their potential rewarded with a college scholarship, but they don’t have that It Factor that pushes them to the NFL level.

Only a handful of college athletes are drafted by the NFL.

Even then, many of them don’t see much play or are cut from their team in the first year or two.

I think Boyd has what it takes to be successful in the NFL. ”

“Has he met with other agents?”

“If he’s smart, yes. Some agents will make promises they know they can’t keep.

Lie to an athlete about everything from their client list to how much their clients rose in draft rankings after they started repping an athlete.

A smart athlete will do his homework and meet with a variety of agents before making his decision regarding representation.

I’m just glad I’m still in the running with Boyd. ”

They drove to the SMU campus and parked in a visitor lot, walking to Fondren Library.

“Do you always meet an athlete on campus?” she asked. “I would think you’d want to get them away.”

“It’s better to meet here,” he explained.

“Because I cannot buy them a meal. I can’t even give them a cup of Starbucks I’ve bought.

The same applies to their parents. I can’t take Mr. and Mrs. Thompson out to a meal and pitch myself to them.

The NCAA has strict rules regarding agents and their relationship to potential clients.

I’m careful to always stay on my side of the line and not dance anywhere close to it. ”

“Has it cost you a client in the past, you playing strictly by the rules?”

He nodded. “It doesn’t matter. I’d rather retain my integrity and know I did the right thing. If an athlete is meant to sign with me, he will at the right time, of his own free will.”

Jace glanced around and saw Boyd stand and wave.

“There they are,” he said.

As they moved toward Boyd, Darby asked, “Are you certain you want me here for this?”

“I do,” he assured her.

They reached the grouping of chairs, and Jace shook hands with Boyd.

“Thanks for agreeing to come to campus mid-week, Mr. Tanner.” He turned and indicated the young woman who’d come to her feet. “This is my girlfriend, Kacie Kennedy. She’s an accounting major and will graduate next spring when I do.”

Jace shook hands with her and then said, “And this is my girlfriend, Darby Montgomery. She coaches the cheer squad at Hawthorne High School.”

Darby shook hands with Boyd and Kacie, and they all took a seat.

Boyd kicked things off. “I asked Kacie to come and meet you because she’s a good judge of people. Plus, she knows numbers.”

Kacie leaned forward. “Boyd told me he’s met with you several times now because he feels comfortable with you. You’re here tonight more for me than Boyd, Mr. Tanner.”

“Kacie and I are going to get married,” Boyd added. “We’re not officially engaged yet, but we’re a team. Whichever agent I decide to go with, it’ll be a team decision.”

“Good to know,” he said easily. “I’ll direct much of what I say to Kacie then. Feel free to chime in if you have any question, though, Boyd.”

“Yes, sir.”

He liked how polite Boyd was. Though many of the athletes he tried to recruit immediately called him by his first name, Boyd had always been respectful and addressed him as Mr. Tanner.

Jace didn’t correct him. If that’s what Boyd wanted at this point, he was happy to keep with the more formal title.

“Before I ask anything of you, Mr. Tanner, I’d like to ask your girlfriend a few questions,” Kacie said.

“Fire away,” Darby told the young woman.

“Why would you go with Jace Tanner as your sports agent if you were Boyd?” Kacie bluntly asked.

“First, let me say I don’t know much about the specifics of Jace’s job.

What I do know is his character. I would say trust is the single-most important factor in a relationship between a professional athlete and his agent.

Boyd needs someone he can rely on. Jace will always tell Boyd the truth, not what he thinks Boyd wants to hear.

Jace won’t make false promises to you, telling you that you’ll be drafted by a certain team.

At the same time, he’s an active agent. He’ll be at the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine game if Boyd earns an invitation to those all- star games.

He’ll show up at the NFL combine and give you a truthful, accurate read on your performance. ”

Jace saw Darby was just getting warmed up. The fact that she knew football was definitely a plus.

“Jace has a proven track record. A sterling reputation in the industry. He might not be the largest sports agency, but he is hands-on. I’ve met his staff.

They’re first-class professionals who know their jobs.

He will network for you. Negotiate the best contract as if he were a hungry dog with a bone.

If Jace believes in you, then he goes one hundred percent.

He will stick by you through thick and thin. ”

Darby paused. “He’ll also present you with other opportunities, those beyond football.

Some might involve endorsements. Others could be linked to charity work.

He will always be transparent and open about whatever he’s doing on your behalf.

” She smiled at him. “And he’s a wonderful communicator. That’s another key factor.”

Darby braced her elbows on her knees, leaning forward. “You both seem like smart individuals. You’ve already educated yourselves about what’s to come down the road. Jace will be there every step of the way with you. He doesn’t brag. He simply gets things done.”

She paused a moment. “I know what you’re thinking.

It’s his girlfriend talking. Of course, she’s going to sing his praises.

Even before I knew Jace personally, I knew of him.

Probably the most important thing I can share with you is that West Sutherland, my cousin, is one of Jace’s clients.

If West decided to sign with Jace, I can assure you that he vetted him properly.

And Jace wasn’t West’s first sports agent.

He signed with someone else out of A&M. My cousin saw something in Jace.

He trusts Jace. West is comfortable with him.

He’s even convinced a few of his teammates to sign with Jace. ”

Leaning back, she concluded with, “I would say that’s a satisfied client, one who is willing to pitch his agent to others.”

“West Sutherland?” Boyd asked. “From the Cowboys?”

“Yes, West is my cousin. We grew up together in Hawthorne. He’s retired from the NFL now, but Jace still reps West in various endorsement deals.”

Darby fell silent, and Jace could see the wheels spinning with both Boyd and Kacie. He let them think for a good minute before he spoke.

“Do you have any other questions for Darby, or can I say something?”

“Please, go ahead,” Kacie encouraged.

“The one thing I want to emphasize is that if Boyd signs with me, he doesn’t put all his eggs in one basket. Yes, there are many agents who simply tell their clients that they’ll handle everything for them.” He paused. “I don’t work that way. It’s sometimes called bundling.”

Kacie nodded. “Yes. We’ve met with two agents who referenced that. Why don’t you utilize that, Mr. Tanner?” She looked to Boyd. “To us, it seemed to streamline things. Give fewer people we have to deal with and lets Boyd focus on football.”