Hard Luck (9 page)

“You need to wear one of those, ‘no women were harmed permanently’ labels.” I force myself look away when I make a straight face. His good looks will cripple my resolve.

“Cali, you’re free to leave, but I hope you stay,” Brady says in a hushed tone.

I turn to meet his gaze and look for truth or lies. He’s good at the lines and all, but his stare is fixed and serious without a hint of the joking guy from two seconds ago.

“I’ll stay.”
For now.

“If you two are finished flirting, I’d like to get on with the show. It’s been a long ass day for me,” Jimmy sighs. The woes of bringing Chicago the evasive World Series—and when I say evasive, I mean historic. The last World Series for Chicago was before the Titanic sunk.

“So, here’s the deal, Cali,” Jimmy begins in an abrupt, to-the-point fashion. I take a deep breath to prepare for God only knows what. “Brady needs your help. His teammates and I need your help. Hell, the city of Chicago needs you.”

His appeal sounds like the future of the entire world sits on my shoulders, which is ridiculous. What could I possibly offer that would be so important?

“Really?” I ask, looking to Eve for support. She gives me a comforting smile. Without her beside me, I’d be out the door. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”

“You’re it, Cali, but first things first. I need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Are you familiar with NDAs?” Jimmy asks.

“Yes, it’s something that will keep my mouth shut.” I glance between Eve, Jimmy, and Brady, hoping their body language clues me in to what’s going on. “What’s at stake, though?”

“Sharp girl,” Jimmy mutters, and Brady nods his head.

“Told you so,” Brady says with a crooked smile on his utterly distracting face.

“Seven figures.” Jimmy announces as he gets up from his chair. He picks up a legal-sized folder with a one-page document lying on top of it. Wait—what did he say?

“Like millions?” My mouth is open so wide, I could fit two ballpark franks in it, including the buns. I manage to take the folder with its lone paper from Jimmy, but I’m stunned and freaked out.

“One cool million to you. Who the hell knows how much to Chicago. We’ve gotta get our boy back swinging again.” Jimmy reaches in his pocket and hands me a pen. “You sign this NDA and agree to what I am going to propose, you’ll be a rich woman, Cali.”

Why do I have this nagging feeling something’s amiss? Maybe it’s because I learned from an early age nothing is free. Well, except the love of my mother, and what I wouldn’t give to buy her a new home, free and clear. I could pay off all my student loans. The thought alone makes a weight disappear off my shoulders. Then there’s my addict brother who needs rehab. I could afford a good place for him.

I haven’t signed the NDA or heard how they want me to sell my soul and I’ve spent about half of it.
Way to go, Cali.
But I can’t help the thought of going to the store and not giving a flying fuck about the price. I would care, and shop at Target like I do now, but I could buy those designer jeans I’ve been eyeing for months and not have to eat ramen noodles for an eternity to afford them.

“All right. I’ll sign your NDA, but only to hear you out.” I scribble my name across a line with my name typed below it. I date the document and hand it to Brady to hand to Jimmy. Jimmy inspects my signature and nods his head, appearing pleased.

I lean toward Brady. “So, is this how you get all the girls to keep their mouths shut?” I whisper, and Brady just laughs.

Why can’t he ever take my sarcasm seriously? I don’t want him laughing with me. I want him uncomfortable. Problem is, he’s too comfortable just being Brady.

“Only the ones I need something from. And, baby, I need you.”
Boom.
That was the sound of my panties dropping to the floor.

Well shit, he had me at baby. Like, I want to have his and practice a lot to make one. I try to imagine us
not
having sex with his beautiful cock as Jimmy starts to speak. Thank God it’s a perfect distraction.

“The long and short of it. I’m asking you to become Brady’s fiancée until this season is over. You’ll get a million dollars. Five-hundred now and five-hundred when Brady has his last trip to the batter’s box this season.”

“Wait a second, a million dollars to be his fiancée?” I turn to Eve, my sort of ally. Her silence and knitted brow tells me I heard right. “This is crazy. I haven’t even been on a date with Brady. No one is going to believe that
me
, the anti-party girl, has scored Chicago’s most eligible bachelor. It’s ludicrous.”

I rise from the couch and walk away from the way too intimate setting. I stand next to the window and watch the lights of Chicago blinking back at me. Jimmy, Brady, and even Eve, are crazy if they think anyone will buy this scheme.

My hands begin to shake as I think about the consequences, mostly as they relate to my profession. A PA needs a pristine reputation. Spotless. This type of lie has the potential to get very messy and painful, especially to my heart.

I glance over my shoulder at beautiful and perfect Brady. He’s perched on the edge of his seat, like my yes or no to this harebrained idea holds the key to his future.

The weight of his expectations hit me. I am barely able to find my own happiness as a human being. This burden will be a challenge no matter how gorgeous and sexy the man behind the issues is. But can I tell him no? Do I even want to?

Maybe it’s the princess fairytales from my childhood, but I am willing to entertain the thought of being his, even if our relationship is a complete façade. However, the prospect of being tied to a heartbreaker like Brady scares me. I could fall in love with this cocky brute in two days flat. Damn baseball players.

“I need to know all the details.” I put on my game face and take a seat in a chair away from everyone, including Eve.

“My personal attorney drew up a contract. Almost everything is negotiable,” Coach says as he hands me the folder.

I rub my hands over my dress before taking the folder. I open the top cover and legal-sized papers spell out one thing to me: whatever Jimmy is offering, in regards to Brady, will be binding by law.

The thought makes my stomach knot up. I’m just an average woman, how can I stand up against the weight of Chicago’s coach and hero in a lawsuit? Suddenly, I feel small, and glance at Eve, who gives me a reassuring smile.

“I don’t have my lawyer handy tonight,” I joke, though I wish I did have one. I’ve never needed a lawyer before now. “I think he’s helping Giselle with her Brady.”

Laughter breaks out in the room and I shake my head. I wasn’t trying to be funny, more sarcastic to make a point that I’m not like them. In Brady and Jimmy’s world, everyone has attorneys and personal assistants, probably even someone to wipe their ass if they need it.

“She’s always saying funny shit,” Brady says through a chuckle. “Never met a girl who makes me laugh like her.” Well now, that’s good to hear—or is it sad? I’m not
that
funny. I imagine most of his hookups giggle at everything he says, not the other way around.

“She’s going to keep you on your toes, Brady,” Jimmy says, clapping Brady on his back. I squint my eyes and peer at Jimmy.

“Is that so?” I interject, spoiling their brotherhood bonding. “I haven’t agreed to a damn thing yet.”

“Of course, Cali. I was only joking about your joke.” The smile vanishes from Jimmy’s face as he tries to cover his tracks.

This time, I have the last laugh and all the power as everyone in the room eyes me, the woman who supposedly holds the future of Chicago’s baseball team in her hands. And to think it all started with me holding Brady’s balls.

I take a deep breath and decide I might as well hear them out. Besides, being asked to actually marry this manwhore could be worse. Engagements are broken every day, because unlike Cinderella and her Prince Charming, fairytales seldom happen in the real world.

“I’m ready to go over this contract.” I look down at the document in front of me, glance over the lines of legal lingo, and skip to the meat. I spot the million dollars outlined in a paragraph. My breath catches and palms begin to sweat. This shit just got real.

Brady

Cali holds the contract in her hand, but hasn’t looked up or said one single word in several minutes. I have no clue what she’s thinking or if she’ll give this engagement thing a chance. I’ve tried to play it cool tonight, but my stomach is tied up in knots.

What if she doesn’t agree and walks out the door? My season will be sunk, along with my dick. Besides, I like having her around. She makes me laugh and is hot as fuck.

My predicament was obvious at Drum Bar tonight. The moment I saw Cali, my previously inactive dick was ready for action and doing a full on salute. Even the hot blonde, who whispered how she wanted me to fuck her brains out, didn’t do a thing for me. And that shit never happens. For whatever reason, Cali is the only woman my dick likes. At least it has damn good taste.

Cali continues to read and crosses her long legs. I can’t take my eyes off of them and imagine what it would feel like to wrap them around my hips and fuck her senseless. I adjust myself and wait for her decision, though it’s killing me.

I glance at Coach and give him a please-help-me look. He nods and clears his throat.

“Cali,” Coach breaks the tense silence in the room. “Let’s walk through the points together. You can ask questions as we go along.”

“Jimmy,” Eve pipes in, and we all turn toward her. “Give her a minute to read over your offer.”

A minute? She’s had like fifteen. My patience is fucking gone. I bounce my leg to direct this bottled up energy somewhere. I’m about ready to snap with so much on the line.

“It’s okay, Eve,” Cali responds and looks at Coach. “We can start.”

“Let’s go point by point,” Coach says, eyeing Cali for approval. She nods her head and he continues to read. “First, you agree to be known as Brady Luck’s adoring fiancée, both privately and publicly. I added the adoring part, but it will help everyone if you can act in that fashion.”

“I adored my cat. God rest Mr. Socks’ soul.” I scoff because she just compared me to a fucking furry feline.

“Moving on.” Jimmy uses a tone I recognize. He’s growing impatient. Cali sits up in her seat, looking determined. “This is the agreement. You will move in with Brady starting tomorrow.”

“Wait. What? Like in his bed? I hardly know him. I’m not a hooker for hire here. No matter what,” Cali protests in a huff. She’s digging in her heels, but I have my ways. She did get those dreamy eyes the first night we met. It’s time to charm her panties off.

“What does or doesn’t happen between you and Brady is your decision.” Coach warned me this arrangement doesn’t hinge on sex, but damn if I don’t want to fuck her seven ways to Sunday.

Cali directs her gaze straight at me and gives me a wicked grin. “I’m saving myself for marriage. Hell, we’ve made it to our engagement, what’s a little more time? Work for you, Brady?”

I want to wipe that sassy smile off her face. I’m thinking my lips slamming into hers would do the trick. One kiss from me and I’d bet those fucking hot legs would open up.

“Funny,” I deadpan.

“You think I’m kidding.” There’s a definite challenge in her eyes. “Besides, I just rented a new apartment. I can’t break my lease.”

“The costs of your apartment will be covered under this contract. Movers are on standby, if you sign, to arrive at nine a.m. tomorrow. They will pack up your personal items and set them up in the guest room at Brady’s penthouse across the hall.” Cali glances back at me when Jimmy mentions my name. Her tongue slips out and licks her upper lip, and my dick reacts by coming to life.

“How many bedrooms do you have?” Cali asks.

“Enough,” I answer.

“Brady can show you his place before you leave tonight. While the movers get things situated tomorrow, you have an appointment with a personal shopper at Nordstrom around ten. All expenses are covered to get the ball rolling, so to speak. You also have an appointment at Maison on Michigan Avenue at two. You’re free to have whatever services you want there while this agreement is in force. You can thank Brady for that one.”

“Wow. That’s the nicest spa in downtown,” Cali exclaims, and I smile at the excitement in her voice. I like her happy. “A massage sounds wonderful. This whole ordeal is stressing me out as it is. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am. I work with two great doctors and I don’t want to blow this job.”

It’s time for me to speak up here. One thing I admire about Cali is her determination. It’s sexy and powerful.

“I don’t want this to wreck your life,” I say. I want to add that it will be fun, but that angle might work against me and I don’t want to push my luck.

“Okay. But if being your fiancée interferes with being a PA, I’m bailing. I’ll give back every last cent.” Shielding her from the press’ onslaught will be tough, but I’m up for it. She’s my fiancée, after all. Fake or not, she’s mine to the world.

“Fair enough. We can add something to the contract. My attorney’s on standby in case of any changes,” Jimmy adds.

“I guess everyone’s on standby for Chicago’s star player.” Cali rolls her eyes while shrugging a shoulder. She’s got an edgy side. I bet she’s a fireball in bed.

“I told Jimmy not to have his attorney here tonight,” Eve explains. “Nothing like a man in a suit and tie to get nerves frayed. I imagine you’re already feeling outnumbered here.”

“A little bit. But I can hold my own.” Cali sits up and squares her shoulders. Yep, she’s feisty.

“The hardest thing you face, besides living with this guy’s ego, is the press,” Coach laughs, pointing to me.

I shake my head at him and pretend to disagree, but I’ve hit homeruns like they’re second nature, and until that voodoo chick, they were.

“Even Rod, my agent, is clueless. Too many tongues wagging and the secret won’t be a secret anymore,” I say. “Here’s what I told Rod. I said we first met at The Wit, and then a few times after that. I mentioned things were getting serious between us and to stay tuned.”

I leave out the part where Rod asked if Cali had a golden vagina. He couldn’t recall the last time I saw anyone more than once—twice tops—and he’s right, but I have to get my curse reversed and it starts with Cali. Once my dick is happy, things on the field will work out. They have to.

“I think Rod bought it too. You know, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.” I wink at her and waggle my brows.

I lean forward, waiting for her answer. Suddenly, Cali turns pale and her eyes go wide in fear. She picks up the contract and fans herself with it.

“Cali, are you okay?” Eve rushes to her side.

“I don’t know. I’m feeling lightheaded all of a sudden.” Cali drops back in the chair and leans her head against the cushion. Her eyes flutter for a split second. She looks about ready to pass out. Then she pops up straight. “Oh my God! My name will be in the paper with my photo next to a big headline, ‘Brady Luck’s Girl of the Hour.’”

“Eve, maybe some water?” Jimmy asks.

“Water isn’t going to help Cali.” Eve levels a glare at Jimmy and me. It’s the don’t-fuck-with me look she has perfected. “You all have scared the daylights out of her.”

I need to do something, but I have no clue what. She’s right. Her quiet, private life is about to get turned upside down and there’s no getting around it. Most girls fucking love the attention they get when they’re around me, but Cali’s not most girls. She’s different—in a good way.

“Can’t I just be his girlfriend until he gets his hitting groove back?” She claps her hand over her mouth and I bury my head in my hands.

“Brady needs more than just a girlfriend. I want him off the single circuit. Undistracted,” Coach tells her the same line he told me when I asked him the same fucking question. “A player’s game starts between their ears, no matter their skill. He’s convinced you’ll get his confidence back.”

“Eve, I think I’d like that drink you mentioned earlier,” Cali breathes.

“Liquid courage,” Coach laughs. “I think that’s a good idea for all of us. We can toast to being neighbors. Right, Cali?”