Saving Maverick (3 page)

“Because that's what everyone would have expected. Don't worry, he'll hear about it, in private. I'm not interested in airing the team's dirty laundry tonight. Plus, I know if he hadn't still been reeling from the loss of the division championship, he most likely wouldn't have had such an ugly reaction.”

“
Smart. Tell me why you gambled so much on a boyhood dream? Owning a USBL team and moving it to Pineville means that much to you, does it?” Kelsey asked.

“Life's a gamble, Kelsey. Nothing is achieved if you tell yourself it can't be done. Plenty of people did that to me in my life. I still run into that type of person from time to time, especially since I bought the team. Maverick just got caught talking about what a lot of people are still thinking about this ball club. And yes, bringing the organization to Pineville means everything to me. I'm not naïve enough to think it's going to be a piece of cake, but it's going to be worth it. And I have every belief that I will succeed and ‘Scott's Folly' will not be a failure.”

Kelsey raised an eyebrow at the mention of the media's nickname for the team's move to Idaho. No one in the sports world was betting he would succeed. Probably because they'd never been in his presence.

“What do you say, Kelsey? Do we have a deal?” They'd arrived at the penthouse and after stopping for introductions, T.S. guided them toward the bar for her promised drink.

What could she say? She'd already begun mapping out an aggressive social media campaign using Twitter, a few blog posts, volunteer opportunities in the community, and first and foremost, a sincere apology.

She knew she could handle the logistics of the job. But did she want to? Could she set aside her past prejudices toward baseball players and be the professional both Maverick and T.S. needed? Yeah, she wanted this job.

“So since you're back in town, do you plan on getting together with Lara and Noel while you're here?”

Well, well. When had T.S. become so interested in her two best girlfriends? They had been inseparable all through school until Kelsey had left for college. She'd texted them both after
she
booked her plane ticket to let them know she was coming to town. She couldn't wait for some girl time.

“We don't have anything solid planned. They know I'm in town for a short period. Why are you so interested?”

“Just wondering. Thought it would be another perk for you to agree to stay and work with Maverick.”

Uh, huh.
The man was digging for information.

They arrived at the bar and while T.S. ordered their drinks, Kelsey decided to have some fun with him.

“That's so thoughtful of you, T.S. Now, why don't you tell me the real reason you're asking? Which one is on your radar?”

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and honest to god squirmed. Oh, how she was going to have fun with this.

“Nothing like that, Kelsey. You know me better. I don't have time for relationships. I was only asking because Noel had bid on my new condo project and she didn't win. So . . .”

“So, you want to know if she called me to curse you out or maybe to see if I could pull some strings for her?” Kelsey took another sip of chardonnay and waited him out. She'd never seen her friend speechless before.

“Nothing like that. I was only curious if she had mentioned it.” He took a large sip of his own drink and plastered a bored look on his face. Nope. She wasn't buying it.

“No, T.S., she didn't say a word to me. But I can find out if you want to know. Then I'll see if she likes you or if—”

“Hell, forget I said anything. Can we get back on subject here?”

The
intensity in his plea got to her. So she let him off the hook—for now.

“Sure thing, T.S. It's important that Maverick apologizes immediately. Tonight is preferable. And he needs to mean it. He needs to prove to the national and local fans that he regrets his actions, his word choice. It's crucial for the Pineville residents and surrounding communities to see and believe that what he said while drunk was not how he truly felt.”

“Perfect. I knew I could count on you. If he doesn't show up tonight, we'll get you two together first thing tomorrow morning, afternoon at the latest.”

“Wait, I have terms. Don't you want to hear them?”

“Kelsey, I know you better than anyone else. You thrive on the challenge of turning public opinion around. You wouldn't have flown here on a moment's notice and come to this party if you hadn't already committed, in your own mind, to helping me out. Name your price.”

“Damn you, T.S., you think you have me all figured out, don't you? You have to know how tough this is for me, and yes, I really do want to help you, but—”

“Look, I know you have some concerns, so how about we do this on a trial basis for say the first week? Meet Maverick, set up a few strategy sessions, and see how it works out? I'll pay you a retainer fee until you decide to sign a contract. And to sweeten the deal, if this goes well, I have an opening for vice president of communications I need to fill.”

“What? All this time you've been holding that tidbit of information back from me?”
How could she turn him down now?
He was talking more than a short-term job. VP of anything with a major baseball organization would mean she would no longer need to convince potential clients she was the best, even though she was. She would have a set schedule, guaranteed income and most importantly—stability.

But
could she separate the heartache of her childhood with the career challenge T.S. offered her? Seemed like Maverick's poor choices would end up bringing her the new opportunity she'd been searching for. Kelsey looked at T.S., grateful for their friendship, and decided on the spot she was ready to take on the challenge. She'd deal with her own issues later.

She had “yes” on the tip of her tongue when he walked into the room.

Chapter 3

Maverick strode into the resort's penthouse with a measured gait and a hooded glare. It may have been due to his reluctance to make an appearance tonight, but Kelsey guessed it had more to do with one too many drinks consumed.

“Well, speak of the devil. Your favorite troublemaker just arrived.” Kelsey said. She noted the pitcher's shoulders were thrust back, his arms held tight against his body.
Hmmm
. “And, he doesn't look too happy to be here,” she murmured.

But he did look determined and movie star gorgeous. She noted he cleaned up rather well, wearing a midnight-blue evening jacket that showed off his broad shoulders to perfection. His thick, dirty-blond hair went from buzz cut to wavy locks brushing his shoulders and back again and everywhere in between, depending on his mood. Today it was in a faux hawk, which was her favorite. She'd read that if he was on a winning streak he refused to cut his hair, so this new shorter style fit the rumors.

Much like Samson, he considered his pitching strength was directly tied to his hair. He once told a reporter about this superstition and all the players wore wigs to the next home game. The public ate it up and now the diehard fans wore blond wigs to the home games. She wondered if that would carry over to the team's new hometown.

“Kelsey, I'd like to introduce you two as soon as possible. But I was thinking we'd give him a few moments to settle into the room. I'll go get us a fresh drink.” T.S. left her side.

She
barely registered his comment. She was too busy sizing up her new client and admiring his . . . form.

If the rumors she heard were true, Maverick's new best friend was a bottle of whiskey. Which might explain his rigid posture tonight. Was he working off a bender? She noted he arrived solo, which was, according to the tabloids, out of character for him. His last relationship had been splashed all over social media. The ballplayer and the stripper.
I'm sure his parents were so proud,
Kelsey thought.

Kelsey hoped he wasn't fighting another demon because he already came with more baggage than the team on a road trip. Add even one more issue to his list of problems and she would have to think twice about his chances of repairing his image.

T.S. returned and as she accepted a fresh drink, Maverick caught her eye. His face relaxed into a heart-stopping smile, and unfortunately it was aimed straight at her. His cornflower-blue eyes dared her to look away and he continued to gift her with his trademark lady-killer smile
.

Lord have mercy
, she thought.
No wonder women threw themselves at this man
.

Maverick held her stare and raked his gaze over her warm face. He made sure she knew he was checking her out and winked. Time stopped and all rational thought disappeared.

Not easily seduced, she prided herself on controlling any situation in which she found herself. And that included dealing with men of any form, stature, or reputation. But this man, the player she was here to “fix,” held her in thrall as he continued to slowly look down and then back up her now humming body.

Well, two could play at this game. She held herself still and controlled her rapid breathing for all she was worth. By the time his eyes settled back on her face, she had created a
bored
look. She hadn't earned the nickname “Ice Princess” in college for nothing. His eyes widened at her response.

She needed to appear in control. Confident in her own skin. And Maverick Jansen didn't need to know he'd grabbed her attention with one wicked smile. No, all that mattered was that she appeared unaffected.

Professional.

A heated glance from a handsome man was not going to throw her off her game. She was here to do a job, not flirt with the man she's supposed to help. She turned her attention back to T.S. “Does he know your plan?”

“Not yet,” T.S. answered. “I was going to give him tonight to stew about what I'm going to say. I want to see how he reacts here, in front of the hometown crowd first. See if he can hold it together. Tomorrow, I'll drop the bomb.”

“Not bad. But are you sure that's the best course? Lulling your opponent and going for the quick and painless strike doesn't always work.”

“Hey, it's my go-to move. How do you think I convinced the USBL to grant me the right to move the team?”

“Yeah, whatever.” Kelsey smiled.

T.S. chuckled. “Kelsey, this is exactly why I need you. Why Maverick needs you. You don't take any bullshit and I admire that. Always have.”

Glancing around the room again, she saw that the object of their conversation was now leaning up against the bar and chatting up a couple of his buddies and their dates. He was no longer looking her over, head to toe, but damn if that look's after effects weren't still affecting her.

Out
of the corner of her eye she noticed T.S. looking at her as she stared at Maverick while trying to keep a straight face.

“Huh. I would have figured you would react a bit differently.”

Turning her attention back to him, she asked, “How so?”

“He's a hotshot ballplayer. Good looks, money. Has a lot going for him despite his current challenges. I guess I would have thought you would have acted, I don't know. More interested.”

“Really? How interested should I have acted? Especially since you want me to take him on as a client?” She leveled T.S. with her best boardroom glare. He wasn't the only one who had well-honed tactics. “I wouldn't be able to do my job if I threw myself at the feet of your star player, my new client, now would I?” she answered.

“Guess I stepped into it, huh?”

“You could say so. Wouldn't have expected it from you though. Even though we haven't seen each other in a while, you know me better than that. Assuming I'm going to act like a fawning ball girl, a groupie no less, just because a handsome, mega-star athlete walks into the room is not going to win you my agreement to your job offer.”

“Okay. Then what will?”

Kelsey thought about it and looked over to where Maverick Jansen, the Bad Boy of Baseball, was now standing next to the buffet. Plate in hand, listening to the mayor and another member of the city council argue about something baseball related, no doubt.

Even though she was across the room from him, she once again noticed a warmth travel down to her belly and lower. Damn, her instant reaction to Maverick was not a good sign.

At
that moment he looked her way, and instead of a smile, he gave her a slight nod and turned back to the men arguing next to him. Double damn. He caught her looking. So not good, and neither were the naughty thoughts his intense stare stirred in her. She needed some fresh air and quick.

She turned to T.S and named an astronomical figure. One even a billionaire would laugh at.

“No problem.”

Choking on her wine, she blurted out, “Are you insane?”

T.S. reached out and patted her on the back. “Are you all right?”

She nodded and tried to swat his hand away. People didn't often catch her off guard. Not in her line of work. She took a long, hard look into T.S.'s eyes and saw how stone cold sane and serious he was. “You're crazy, my friend. No one is worth that, even me.”

“Never say that again, Kelsey. You're worth every penny and I'm getting a bargain here, especially if we come to a deal and you take on the VP job. I'm not sure why I didn't consider you for it before now, but that'll be our little secret.” T.S. grinned.

Even with the crazy figure she'd just named, Kelsey wasn't letting T.S. get his way so easily. There was one more thing she required.

“All right, I accept. But with two caveats. One, if he is totally against this and refuses to do the work needed in the next two weeks, I still receive twenty percent of the figure I quoted.”

“He won't, but done. And what's two?”