Page 1 of (La)Crosse My Heart (Sweet Sports Kisses #7)

Jessa

I t's been a long day, but at least I'm here. In a new state, trying to mentally prepare for a new job. Jessa from a year ago would not believe how far she’s come, from thinking she’d marry long-time boyfriend, Dan, and never leaving Virginia, to moving across the country as a single gal with no firm future spread out in front of her.

Moving to Utah wasn’t on my radar even a few months ago, but the opportunity to continue building my resume and start fresh made me jump at the chance.

I originally applied for the public relations position, but as a former waitress, as well as a manager for the track and field team in college, they didn’t see that as qualification enough.

But my story about helping Tony Davidson, the star of the 100m and 200m, revamp his reputation after a cheating scandal caught their attention. The school test kind of cheating. I don’t think the guy knew how to talk to girls.

The Stockton Media Group basically created a position for me as Athlete Image and Engagement Manager. I’m pretty sure it’s still on a trial basis, so everything with this first client has to go smoothly so I can make more concrete plans for the future.

Have I lived outside of Virginia? Yeah, for a whole four years, not counting all the breaks in college. I’m a University of Maryland graduate. Go Terrapins!

Even that was within easy driving distance of my childhood home.

Getting to Utah is either a several days’ drive or an expensive flight, so I guess now is a good time to not focus on being homesick. I’ve got goals to reach and an ex to forget, so that should be enough. I hope.

It’ll be different working with professional athletes, though. I’m excited about this chance to help them while also restarting my life.

I’ve done a little research and while I’d love to be working with Trey Hatch, the star forward for the Utah Yetis hockey team, he seems to do well by himself.

I grew up a Boston Breeze fan despite living states away.

And I may have done a happy dance when I learned more about his wife, Kenzie.

She’s the perfect match to him, and I wonder if I’ll get a chance to meet them.

Maybe the professional sports world is small in Utah and they all support each other?

A gal can hope.

Maybe I’ll get a basketball player instead, since those are the two sports under the Stockton umbrella. I’d have to do a lot more research if that’s the case.

I glance around at the empty house, wishing I had stuff to unpack.

The semi my furniture is on sent a notification saying they’d be delayed because of some road closures in Wyoming.

I’m not sure how that relates, but I’m still used to using the maps app to get anywhere, so maybe that’s how they get here.

I bought an inflatable mattress and a pillow before coming to the house, knowing I don’t want to sleep flat on the floor. Then I napped for three hours, which felt amazing after the stress of my travel day.

I check my calendar and realize the video call I’m supposed to be on starts in three minutes.

Where did I put the charger to my laptop?

I remember putting it into the carry-on bag before I left my mom’s house in Virginia, but I’d had to rifle through the bag to find a few things and now everything is out of order.

I find it in the bottom of the suitcase I’d checked in on the plane. How that happened, I’m not sure, but I don’t have time to dwell on it. I plug the cord in and find the information to log into the online meeting.

Propping my computer in front of me on the mattress, I wait for my new boss to sign on.

Applying for the position for Stockton Media Group had been a last-minute decision, so finding out I got a completely different job was incredible. And while I didn't know all the specifics for my current job, I know I'll be able to float among the teams the company owns.

The sound dings and Daphne Carter, the woman who hired me, smiles back at me from the screen.

"Good morning, Jessa. How are you settling in?" she asks.

I give a half-hearted laugh and glance around. I don't have a lot to occupy the rental I signed a lease for.

"Well, I need to go shopping, that's for sure." We both laugh together.

"I can't wait to see it when you've got it decorated. Did you hire a moving truck?"

"Yeah, I figured that would be easier than trying to drive out here with a car and a moving truck. My brother didn't have time to take off." And with my parents gone to Dubai for my dad’s work, this was the best option.

Daphne nods. "That's understandable. I'm glad you're using the money we've allotted for you. Now, I'm sure you're curious who your first assignment will be."

That's an interesting way to put it.

"I’m excited to work in any capacity but, yes, it would be nice to get the background information on them," I say, trying to keep my smile bright, but I’m nervous.

I’d looked up all the star players on both the NHL and NBA teams Stockton manages and have worked on several ideas to prepare for this meeting.

With this being a newly created position, I want to make sure they understand what I’ll bring to the table and why they need someone like me.

I don't know why my whole body is tense. Maybe it's because I've only taken on clients when I've known exactly what I was getting into. In this situation, I'm kind of on retainer.

And they’re putting a lot of trust in me to do this based on having worked with only a few athletes for free.

“Okay, so we'll have a few more to work on by mid-summer, since basketball and hockey are done for now.”

I freeze, trying to wrap my head around that. “They aren’t still playing games?” That probably should’ve been in my research, but it’s a glaring hole I have to come back from. Why would they need me here so early then?

“Both teams didn't make the playoffs, so we'll get you working with them as soon as preseason starts. But the Lancers will start playing soon and we've got one standout who needs a reputation makeover.”

The Lancers?

I do a quick search in my internet browser and find a lacrosse team. They own a pro-lacrosse team?

She shuffles a few papers, and I wonder if she doesn't know many of the players well, or if she's just trying to give me an ulcer while waiting for the information.

"Your new client is…" she starts. Did I sign up with a game show or an actual billion-dollar company? "Clark Denton."

There's all sorts of ringing in my brain and I'm trying to figure out what’s wrong. Then I focus on the name.

"Clark Denton, originally from northern Virginia, Clark Denton?"

Daphne grins. "Yes, actually. I'm surprised you know that off the top of your head. You’ve done your homework."

I groan inwardly, remembering all the times I'd dealt with him in my teens. I might as well be honest.

"He was my younger brother's best friend growing up. We have history there."

"That's the best news I've heard all day," she says, clapping her hands together once. It makes me jump even though we’re not in the same room.

"Why?" I ask, my usual composure taking a break at the wrong time.

"Because we need someone who can help him get through interviews. Right now, all the feedback and surveys we've taken from the fans for the Salt Lake Lancers show that while he has some of the best skills, he's not a huge fan favorite because of his stern demeanor."

Obviously I haven't been paying attention to his career, or else I would've known I'd have to deal with him. And the fact I didn’t even know professional lacrosse was under the Stockton Media Group’s umbrella is just another misstep.

This is why I need to be thorough in my research and not think I already know everything.

Clark Denton. All I can remember is wanting to choke him every time he came over because of the pranks he'd play and his overall annoying attitude. And him stealing my car.

This should be fun. Or sheer torture.

I have to switch back into professional mode, knowing I'll have to treat this exactly like I did for the others I’ve worked with. This might be a hurdle to cross, but the finish line is still close.

"Do you have a meeting already set up for me to meet with him? Also, are there any mandatory activities or events I need to know about for him in the coming weeks?"

Daphne moves around a few more papers and says, “We don’t currently have a meeting scheduled for you, but you’re welcome to get in touch with Coach Martin to arrange something. It looks like they'll be starting practice tomorrow.”

My stomach sinks. Yes, I’m excited about this chance, but I also thought I’d have a few days to settle in before getting right into the jumble. I can’t remember if I even packed an outfit that would work for a lacrosse field.

“As far as media events,” Daphne continues, “it looks like the team is signed up to help a company called Play It Forward in two weeks. It’ll be here in the valley, so you won't have to travel for it.”

I nod, typing all of this into my phone so I don’t forget. I’ll have to do some research to figure out what the company is and what it means. Maybe it’s giving their gear to people in need?

“Perfect. I can work with this,” I say, trying to come up with some more ideas of how to highlight Clark’s better features. All I can see are the awkward gangly features of him coming to our house as a teen, and I know I’ve got my work cut out for me.

“I’ll be in New York for most of the week for a conference, but if you need anything, just send me a text and I’ll call when I have a minute.”

“Just to clarify, you want him to be the fan favorite by the end of the season?”

Daphne chuckles and says, “Closer to the beginning would be great. He’s got a few endorsements that would probably be grateful for a change in his approval rating.”

That’s new. I didn’t realize there were now endorsements for some of the pro lacrosse players.

It’s not like they’re as popular as the bigger sports, and I’m betting a lot of them have jobs during the off-season.

At least, that’s what Brock said once when he was talking about Clark’s career.

I’m surprised I forgot all of that. Then again, not really.

I’ve been on track to creating my life so I don’t have to lean on anyone, as my recent ex-fiance found out.

Then again, he was leaning on me way more than the other way around.

“Okay, if you’ll send me any of the contact information for the team you have, I’ll get to work on making appointments and go from there.”

“Perfect. Thank you so much, Jessa. And just a note of warning. We frown on relationships with our clients, so please keep things strictly professional.”

I try to keep my expression neutral, wondering why she would even mention that when we’ve only talked three or four times.

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” I say, grinning.

Me falling for Clark? That’s laughable.

Daphne nods. “Perfect. I’ll get that information emailed over to you. Good luck.”

We end the call, and I immediately slouch. My mother would be furious if she saw me, but this is something I didn’t see coming.

Am I a little bummed I’m not working with a hockey or basketball star? Maybe. This will just have to be a step to get to those bigger clients.

I’m a professional. How hard could it be to work with my brother’s best friend?