Page 204 of King of Pain

I wave it off. “Don’t mention it. Just don’t forget the little people when you’re sitting on ten mil and a championship series ring.”

Jason chuckles. “If they get the contract back this week, let me know—I’ll come in and sign it. I’m in town all week.”

That catches me off guard. “You are?”

“Yeah,” he says casually. “Meg asked me to go to your man’s exhibit opening Saturday.”

I jolt back a bit in my chair. “Really?”

Jason nods, smiling. “Yes, really. I’m excited. Never been to an art exhibit before.”

I nod slowly, trying to keep my face neutral while my brain works through whatever Meg’s up to. Before I can process any of that, Jason adds, “By the way, I’m really happy for you. Chance seems like a great guy—from what I’ve heard, anyway. Not to mention, the guy’s a walking wet dream. I can’t even pretend he’s not.”

I laugh, a real one, standing up and grabbing my tablet and phone. “Yep,” I say, popping the p at the end… hard.

Jason stands too, shakes my hand. “Alright, see you Saturday, unless those contracts come in early.”

“See you then,” I say, giving him a quick shoulder clap before heading to my office.

I’ve barely sat down when Meg pops in.

“Hey,” she says, now pacing in front of my desk, hands in the pockets of her suit pants. “Glad I caught you. I need to leave in about ten minutes.”

I rest my elbows on the desk. “What’s up?”

“First, how did it go with Jason?”

“Great, actually. Contract is straightforward. He’s not a diva like some of these guys, so his asks are nothing wild.”

Meg nods approvingly. “Excellent. Good to hear. Do me a favor—find out if they’re in a rush to sign.”

I lean back, frowning slightly. “I’m sure they’d like to get it locked in. But I can stall if you need—”

She cuts me off with a shake of her head. “No, don’t press too hard. Just feel them out on timing. If they’re not in a rush, I may ask you to get us a few weeks before they sign.”

I nod slowly. “Okay. Will do.”

“Thanks.” She turns like she’s about to head out, then pauses and pivots. “Oh—and can you pull all my client files and your client files and notate their agency renewal dates when you get a chance?”

Now I’m really confused.

“Yeah, of course,” I say, brow furrowing. “Is everything okay?”

Meg flashes a bright, practiced smile that eases some of the tension. “Absolutely. I just like to do a periodic audit to get a broad picture of whose contracts are up, and when. Helps me plan our renewal strategy.”

That’s fair. But I already set up automated reminders for every client well in advance of their contract renewal dates. Still, I nod.

“Hey,” I say, stopping her as she turns again. “Jason mentioned you invited him to Chance’s exhibit?”

She offers a megawatt smile this time. “I sure did. It’s a PR win-win. You’re already going to have pro football’s hottest QBin attendance. Add in pro baseball’s hottest pitcher and a roster of high-society movers and shakers? Chance’s name and art will be in publications from coast to coast. It’s a publicity gold mine.”

I stand in surprise. “Wait—this wasyoumaking a PR move? ForChance?”

Meg doesn’t look up from the notification she’s checking on her phone but nods. “Mmhmm.”

Then she looks up at me with a knowing gleam in her eye. “I knew you wouldn’t take the liberty. But this makes sense for everyone involved.”

For a second, I can’t find the words. I just watch as she types something else on her phone.