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“Guiding champions from the field to the spotlight,” West quipped, citing TTM’s motto. “No, I am happy to hear if you think we can continue our business relationship. If not, I hope I’ll keep your friendship.”

“For life. But business isn’t at the end of the road for us, West. You’re still young.

Popular. Nice-looking. Well-spoken. I can find products you approve of that you can pitch, in addition to the ones you already endorse.

Will some of the current companies you work with want to move on once you’ve fulfilled the contract?

That’s a given. But there are still others who will be happy to have their product or services associated with you.

I think Nolan Ryan is a terrific example of that. ”

West knew the former Baseball Hall of Famer turned businessman and entrepreneur had his finger in dozens of pies, most all of them lucrative ones.

Jace rose. “Come down to the conference room. We’ve got about half an hour before lunch arrives although why you wanted to eat at eleven in the morning is beyond me.”

He grinned. “I know you love Italian as much as I do. I thought a last meal from our favorite place would be a nice send-off. I’m going to leave Dallas. Sell the condo.”

“I’ll buy it.”

“Why? You already live in a terrific place.”

“The views you have don’t grow on trees,” his agent said.

“Besides, it wouldn’t be for me. I’m thinking one of my clients might be interested in it.

We have a lot of professional sports teams in this town.

Athletes with a whole bunch of disposable cash.

I can think of three guys off the top of my head that might like to purchase it. ”

“Should I just sell it directly to them?”

“If you’d like. But I’ll pay you cash. It would be quick and easy.”

“And I’m making it easy for you. The furnishings stay. The interior decorator you recommended did a fantastic job. That furniture was meant for that condo and that view, not where I’m headed.”

“Where are you going?”

“For now, I’m moving back to Hawthorne.” He looked sheepishly at Jace. “In fact, I have a job interview at three o’clock this afternoon with the football coach and athletic director.”

His agent nodded approvingly. “I can see you as a coach. You’ve got the smarts. You know the game inside out. You’re patient. Dependable. But what about coaching in the pros? Or college? There’s a hell of a lot more money in that.”

“It’s not for me. I’m in a position where money doesn’t factor in. Frankly, I could do nothing the rest of my life and be fine, financially. But I want to be where there’s still a true love of the game. Where I can make a difference in kids’ lives. I want Hawthorne, Jace.”

“If there’s an opening, you’ll get it. You’re the hometown hero. The guy who left and made a name for himself, both in college and the pros. They’d be crazy not to hire you.”

Jace escorted him to the conference room, where his partner at TTM waited, along with their marketing specialist

“Hey, Mark. Penny.”

Steve Butler dashed in behind them. “Sorry I’m late.”

“We’re just ready to start,” Jace told their social media specialist.

Penny Hiller gave her pitch, discussing ways that TTM could market West, now that he was retired from the game. He liked some of her ideas. Others were not his cup of tea.

“Let me make this clear,” he said. “I’m not a Peyton Manning. I don’t want to host SNL or a quiz show. I don’t want to go into broadcasting or be a college professor. I just want to be an average Joe. Coach high school football. Get married and start a family.”

He watched a few eyebrows raise, but no one jumped in with an opinion.

Penny cleared her throat. “Okay, then.”

She proceeded to focus on opportunities for endorsements, sponsorships, and philanthropical ideas. West passed on most but pointed out the few he liked and was interested in.

“This gives me a good starting point. Jace, too,” Penny said. “But can I just say how dismal watching the Cowboys is going to be without Van throwing balls to you, West?”

“You may say it,” he said, grinning. “I’m sure you’ll find another favorite player, Penny.”

“What about your social media?” Steve asked. “You’ll be a private citizen now. Do you want to stay high profile or go low?”

“I won’t need you to manage it anymore,” he said frankly. “You’ve done a terrific job. You got my face out there. The team’s. The messages I wanted to convey.” He paused. “And perhaps a little too much of my social life.”

“Hell, West, you’ve dated too many famous people,” Steve protested. “I had to capitalize on that. But I get it. I’ll email you all your login and password information for your accounts. I can delete the ones you don’t want to use anymore, too.”

Jace turned to his partner. “Mark, anything to add?”

“No. Just happy you’ll still be a client with TTM, West. I would advise you to have an attorney on hand to represent you in other matters. Real estate. Wills and trusts. Or if you decide to pursue any business opportunities beyond coaching.”

“My cousin Sawyer will fit the bill. We’re going to rent a house together for a few months.”

“He’s leaving the district attorney’s office?” Mark asked.

West nodded. “He’s ready for the next chapter in his law career, just like I’m looking to see what West 2.0 will look like.”

Elena entered the conference room. “Lunch is here. Shall I have them bring it in?”

They feasted on everything from cannelloni and lasagna to vanilla bean panna cotta for dessert. He would miss the fine dining scene in Dallas, but all good things must come to an end.

West told everyone goodbye, promising to let Jace know how this afternoon’s interview went. He returned to his car, heading north, Dallas finally in his rearview mirror for good.