Hotshot by Ahren Sanders Read Free Book Online Page B

to certain things, I’m out.
    “I’m not your fucking babysitter, but damn close. You learn to mold to my demands, not yours. You want to fuck around with days’ worth of people kissing your ass? Good luck, but I saw what I needed to see. Your team is focused, driven, and has the staff in place to achieve that with the right talent.”
    “You’re a stupid shit if you think I’ll listen to any lawyer. I pay your salary.”
    At his statement, I’m done. I shake a few hands and make my way to the door. Only then do I look at the man in the center of the table who is flaming red.
    “Perry, I pay my own salary because I’m fucking good at what I do. Think about it long and hard because this is your only chance. Talk to your coaches, talk to your teammates, and talk to your fucking team lawyers. I’ll assume you aren’t joining us for the dinner tomorrow night, but if you change your mind, call my assistant, Gail.” I walk out, and hear the son of a bitch cussing as the door shuts.
    When I get into the elevator, I send a message to Gail, filling her in and asking that she amend the contract we drafted for Perry. I want an additional ten percent, on top of my standard percentage, if we sign him. Then I ask her to confirm our dinner reservations.
    I wave down a cab and ask the driver to take me back to the hotel.
    My phone rings with Nick’s ringtone, and I answer with a laugh. “Shouldn’t you be watching films or working out? Sunday’s game may be preseason, but it’s still against the reigning Super Bowl champs.”
    The cab driver eyes me curiously in the rearview mirror.
    “I know that, but I wanted to check in.” His usually casual tone is filled with worry. “Is everything okay?”
    “Sure, why wouldn’t it be?”
    “Bizzy’s not answering her phone.”
    “That’s because I silenced it this morning.”
    “Any particular reason?”
    “Yeah, she went over thirty-six hours without sleep and proceeded to get trashed last night. When she finally fell asleep, I took care of her phone.”
    “Did you get her a Coke?”
    “I had several things delivered before I left and wrote her a note. If she’s not answering, it probably means she’s still asleep.”
    “Thank God.”
    “Nick, what’s up? Is everything okay with you?”
    “Me, yes, but I’m worried about her. Mathis told me about the young kid, Grady. We made arrangements for me to visit him next week after the game. Hopefully, I’ll be giving him the game winning ball.”
    “Fuck.” I scrub my hand through my hair. “Did anything specific happen?”
    “Not really, but Mathis thinks, with the use of the alternative mixed with traditional medicines, he may have a few months. The goal is to keep him comfortable. Only a miracle will let him survive.”
    “Mathis, Claire, and I all think we should wait until y’all get home to share with Bizzy.”
    “Agreed. She may not have the timeline, but she knows it’s coming.” I don’t mention she’s known for a while.
    “Yes, she needs this time away.”
    There’s a brief pause before he asks, “So, she got sloshed last night?”
    “Totally.”
    “She in the mood to dance?” He chuckles, guessing the answer.
    “Totally,” I repeat, remembering the feeling of her in my arms as I held her close and guided her around the dance floor. Her hips were pressed tight to mine as she threw her head back smiling. My dick was hard as stone so I had to reposition her several times, but it was worth every second.
    “You’re taking good care of her, right?”
    “Of course.”
    “Sorry, man, stupid question.”
    “Nick, you do realize she’s no longer fourteen, right? She’s an adult now and can take care of herself.”
    “I know, but she deserves so much, Shaw. You’ll never understand.”
    My stomach twists, remembering what Mathis shared and the years I missed of Bizzy’s life. Usually, I’d ask her to talk to me, but I know she’ll never discuss anything that will make her seem weak and