Page 23 of The Bad Boy’s Homecoming (The Southern Hart Brothers #2)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Levi

Making a Mess

“I thought we agreed you weren’t going to get involved with Missy,” Dalton said, once Levi was back downstairs in the kitchen.

“I don’t remember agreeing to that, and we’re not involved, yet,” Levi said.

Dalton let out a heavy sigh. “That sounds even worse. You’re not staying in Sandy Point and she’s working for Gran.”

Levi was getting annoyed with his brother reminding him of all the reasons he couldn’t or shouldn’t like Missy.

“Actually, I am officially a free agent, with no team to play for and no agent, so I just might be staying in Sandy Point.”

“You didn’t get another contract from Atlanta?”

“I did, but they won’t take out the bad boy clause, so I told them I’m done.”

“Wow, I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks.” Levi was almost surprised. He hadn’t been sure his brothers would understand. “Anyway, so maybe I should just take this as a sign that my career in baseball is over. We could start developing this land and I could build a few more houses.

“You don’t want to be done with baseball though, and we both know you’re still in your prime. There will be other teams making offers as soon as word gets out.”

Levi guessed his brother was right, but with no agent the process was murky at best. He’d called the guy Declan recommended but hadn’t heard back yet.

“Just promise you won’t start something you can’t finish with Missy.

It’s not fair to her or Gran,” Dalton said and then he headed for the door.

“I gotta go, but I’m leaving the cleaning supplies for Missy’s hand.

Make sure she doesn’t take more than two of those pain meds a day.

You were right—she definitely needed them. ”

Levi nodded. What a mess. He was acting as a caregiver to his gran’s caregiver and had to stop himself from hooking up with her in his childhood room.

“I’ll see you in a few days, but Brooke will handle the cleaning tomorrow,” Dalton said, then left.

Before Levi realized what he was doing he stood in Missy’s art studio and stared up at the red painting she’d done on his first day back in town.

Each intricate stroke of her brush felt like a message just for him.

He desired her more than any woman he could ever remember knowing, but this wasn’t his real life.

Dalton was right. He wasn’t staying in Sandy Point, and Missy wasn’t his to have.

He needed to make finding a new team a priority, so as soon as Missy was better he could get out of town again.

Or he was going to make an even bigger mess of his life.

*

The next morning Levi cooked enough bacon, eggs, and pancakes to feed Declan, the twins, Wesley, Gran, Missy, and probably the rest of his baseball team.

“Are you expecting more company?” Wesley asked, filling his plate with another serving.

“No, I just remember you like to eat a lot.”

“Well I don’t mind if I do,” Wesley said, adding another pancake.

Declan and his boys were visiting with Missy at the kitchen table, where the boys couldn’t get too rambunctious.

“I can see why you’d rather stay here than at our house, Aunt Missy. These pancakes are like yummy clouds,” one of the boys said.

Missy laughed and looked up at Levi. His stomach twisted. She looked beautiful with her hair down and rested from a good, pain-free night’s sleep.

“Dude, you better stop looking at her like that with her cousin sitting right there,” Wesley said, so only Levi could hear him. “And you’re going to burn that batch.” Then he walked away.

“Levi, there’s a man here to see you. Says you called him?” Gran said walking into the kitchen followed by a man in a suit that looked two sizes too small.

“Good morning, Mr. Hart, when I received your call I thought I’d better come see you before a dozen other sports agents try to woo you away.” The man had a thick Georgia accent, spiky brown hair, and held out his hand to Levi who held a spatula and was wearing one of Gran’s frilly aprons.

“Hal Carpenter, nice to meet you,” Levi said moving the pan to the side and turning off the stove top. “I was just fixing breakfast. Would you care for any pancakes?”

“Maybe after we talk if you have time now?” Hal looked around the kitchen. “I didn’t realize you had such a big family. I apologize for interrupting.”

“Hal, you know you want to sit and eat these pancakes before they’re all gone,” Declan said, standing up and greeting the man with a hearty handshake and manly hug.

“Declan Shaw, how the heck are you? These must be your boys. I can tell by their broad shoulders and serious faces. Probably both geniuses too,” Hal said. “Boys, did you know your father is the smartest lawyer on the East Coast?”

“Really, mister?” one of the twins asked.

“Yep, I think he has a photographic memory because he could recite every word of law during our mock trials, and no one could ever beat him in law school.”

“Cool, Dad,” the boys said in unison.

“Well you were the one who could persuade the jury, so keep an eye on that, Levi,” Declan said standing. “Come on, boys, let’s give Mr. Levi some privacy to chat with Hal, and we need to get to school.”

One of the twins grabbed another pancake off the pile in front of them and then jumped down from his seat and moved fast over toward Missy.

Levi tensed, unsure what the boy would do, but the young man stopped in his tracks holding his arms up.

“I’m not allowed to touch you, Aunt Missy, or I won’t get any ice cream for a week, but I hope you feel better soon.”

Missy tapped the side of her cheek. “Just one kiss won’t hurt,” she said and the boy gladly obliged. His brother followed suit and then Declan kissed the top of her head.

“We love you, and call me if you need something. Levi, Mrs. Hart, thank you for your hospitality,” Declan said. Then he gave Hal another pat on the back. “Hal, swing by my office later if you have time.” He nodded at Wesley and dropped off his and the boys’ plates in the sink.

“Will do, Dec, see you soon.”

“I better get going too—duty calls,” Wesley said and set his dish in the sink.

“Alright, Mr. Carpenter, let’s talk baseball,” Levi said, and set down the spatula, then took off the apron. He led Hal to the formal living room off the front of the house so Missy and Gran didn’t have to listen to them talk shop.

“So you don’t want to play for Atlanta anymore and you need me to find you a new, better contract?” Hal said sitting in the wingback chair across from Levi.

“And I won’t accept any persona clauses. I won’t play any part; in fact I prefer we specify that my personal life won’t be used for ticket sales.”

Hal nodded. “I see. This issue is becoming more and more of an issue for athletes today.”

“So what do you think?”

“Well you’re still in your prime, but most teams already have their roster planned and likely don’t have millions of dollars left in the budget to afford you.

If they can scrounge up the money, they’ll likely want to take advantage of your existing persona as the Bad Boy of Baseball to enhance ticket sales. ”

“But?” Levi said.

“But like Declan said, I can be very persuasive. No BS, Mr. Hart, I’ve never handled a player as successful as you, which is exactly why I think you need me.

You make me a list of every team you would consider working for, and I’ll start pressing them for offers.

We’ll go in aggressive, give them all a time limit for best and final offers.

If I find one you like, you hire me as your agent for the duration of that contract and promise to tell your friends Hal’s your man . ”

Levi grinned. “I can live with all those terms, Hal. How soon would you expect to get some offers?”

“Spring training is in its second week, teams are formulating lineups and will want to feel ready for the season openers. I think by the end of the week we should know what we’ve got.”

Levi sighed. He’d hoped for more time.

“You’re a seasoned MVP. A few weeks off from spring training isn’t going to mess up your game. But you need to be in the batting cages, running—you gotta keep up your training.”

Levi nodded. He knew Hal was right and it was clear the man knew baseball.

“You won’t have any trouble getting in touch with the team’s management?”

Hal stood with a big grin. “As soon as I say I’m representing Levi Hart, the managers will welcome a chat with me.

I did a little studying last night on a few teams that I know are looking for new shortstops, and just the type of headliner to take their teams to the series.

The question is who can afford you and who are you willing to play for? ”

“I’ll send you a list of my preferred teams, mostly along the East Coast.”

“Perfect, I operate out of Savannah, but I’ll be in town today in case you have any more questions or want to chat in person about my strategy.”

“As long as you get me out of that persona clause I’m not too worried about how you do it. I will require Declan to review any contracts.”

“Smart man, your agent is your dealer, but I always recommend my clients have an accountant, and a lawyer. You want everyone looking over everyone else’s shoulders, so no one has all the power of the purse.”

Levi stood and shook Hal’s hand. “Thank you for coming out to see me, Hal.”

“This business is personal, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t as bad as they say.”

“Would you have still agreed to represent me?”

“Probably, but it’s best to know what I’m working with.”

Levi laughed. “Fair enough.”

“Last question, Mr. Hart,” Hal said when they stopped at the front door. “Are there any skeletons I should know about? Because even if a team can’t use your persona, it doesn’t mean the media will stop.”

“No, I’ve left all the drama in Atlanta.”

Hal nodded. “Alright send me that list and I’ll get to work.”

“I’ll have it for you within the hour,” Levi said. The men shook on it and Levi showed him out the front door.

When he returned to the kitchen, it was empty but he could see Missy in her studio standing in front of a blank canvas, with several paints opened. Gran must have helped her out.

He made a plate of food then made sure everything was put away before he pulled out his phone and drafted an email to Hal.

He listed a dozen teams he’d be willing to play for, and as much as it pained him to leave Atlanta, he wasn’t ready to leave baseball.

Then he fired off the email and poured a fresh cup of coffee.

He stood in the hall where he could watch Missy paint but not disturb her.

When she finally stepped back to study her work his heart nearly stopped.

There was a woman’s torso painted in a golden tan and then a man’s strong hand reaching to hold the woman’s waist just above her hip.

There were no faces, but the bold strokes depicted a passion between the two.

And it reminded him of them the night before, in the bathroom, kissing and touching each other.

Missy lifted the canvas to set it aside and began to start another one.

She was in her zone of genius, and he couldn’t look away.