Heath quirks a brow.
“It’s my first endorsement,” I explain.
He smiles. “Congrats.”
Rauthruss pushes forward and swipes a deodorant, uncaps it, and brings it to his nose to smell. “Maverick,” he reads the label. “This is your family’s brand, yeah?”
I nod. “New male hygiene line. It was unisex and female-geared before now.”
He lifts his shirt and rolls it on his pits.
“Well?” I ask. “How is it?”
He angles his body, and Heath and I lean in and sniff his armpit
“Manly.” Heath backs off with a smirk on his face.
“It kind of smells like coconuts,” I muse.
I grab one of the body sprays and squirt it onto my shirt. It’s not bad. Not great either.
“We’re proud of you, my man,” Heath says. “If I weren’t so hungover from all the partying we’ve done the last couple of weeks, I’d suggest celebrating, but I don’t think my body can take another night of drinking.”
“Let’s do something chill,” I suggest. “Grab the girls, and we’ll watch a movie.”
The guys agree without any protest, and their girlfriends come over as the pizza arrives. Dakota too. She doesn’t look as happy as when I saw her this morning.
When we settle in the living room, I take a seat next to her on the couch. “How was the interview?”
“It was great. Thank you again for connecting us.”
Huh. She said great, but she doesn’t seem very excited.
“So, are we Minnie-soda bound this summer?”
Her laugh is quiet. The movie is starting, and she leans closer and lowers her voice. “No. It didn’t work out.”
“Why not? Did you not like Blythe?”
“Not like her?” Dakota snorts. “I think I fell a little in love with her. Did you know she was on the Forbes thirty under thirty list? She’s incredible. She turned down jobs at a ton of really high-profile places to work for the Wildcats.”
“Okay, so you’ve got a lady boner. And I know she loved you. What’s the problem?”
“Know she loved me?”
“Yep.” There isn’t a doubt in my mind. Dakota is a hard worker. Coach Meyers routinely requests that she does the tours for any hockey recruits. And I told Blythe as much.
She sniffs the air and tilts toward my shirt. “What is that smell? Did you trade Vanilla for… Coconut?”
“Body spray. You like?” I duck my head, bringing our faces close.
“It’s… interesting. Why would you want to smell like suntan lotion?”
I shrug. “What’s the problem with the job, Kota?”
She sighs and sinks back into the couch cushion. Her shoulder rests against mine, and I reposition us so my arm is around her. Our friends are lost in the movie and each other.
“It’s an unpaid internship.”
“Oh.” Shit. I hadn’t thought to ask about the salary. “Is that normal? Are they even allowed to do that?”
“Yeah, it’s more common than you’d think. And I’d do the job for free in a heartbeat, but I can’t afford living expenses here and there. Besides, logistically, it was a stretch. My car probably wouldn’t make the trip to and from in one piece.”
“You could ride with me. Shit, you could stay with me too.”
“I am not living with you.” Her icy blue eyes narrow at me, but her mouth twists into a playful grin.
“Why not? I’m a great roommate. Ask any of the guys.” I jut my chin toward our friends.
“You don’t even live here.”
“I basically do.” I squeeze her shoulder, which brings her farther into my chest. “Come on; it’d be great.”
“I could start my dry cleaning and coffee service for all of your conquests.”
“Conquests?” I arch a brow. I most definitely don’t think of them like that. They’re beautiful, smart women who want to have fun. And I am fun.
“Thank you, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’ll be fine. I have my job at the Hall of Fame, and I have Blythe as a contact now. Maybe next year they’ll have an entry-level position.”
I nod, holding her gaze. She looks away first to the TV. I’m bummed for her. She was so excited this morning. Charli’s on the floor at my feet. I pat my lap, and she jumps up, makes a circle, and lays down. Dakota reaches over and scratches under her chin. Charli wiggles forward so her face is on Dakota’s leg, and that’s how we watch the rest of the movie.
The next morning, I’m packing up the kitchen in my apartment when my agent, Hugh, calls.
I accept the call and put it on speaker. “Talk to me, Hugh.”
He chuckles. “Hey, Johnny. How are you?”
“Good,” I say instinctively. “Packing up my apartment.”
“When are you headed out?”
“This weekend, maybe.”
“Glad to hear it. Listen, I have some paperwork for you on the endorsement deal. I emailed it to you, but I thought I should call. I’m concerned.”
My brows pull together, and I stop packing, pick up my phone, and open the email he mentioned. “Why?”
I scan the contract from Maverick Enterprises. I don’t know much about endorsement deals since this is my first, but nothing sticks out.
“I know this is your family’s company, so I don’t want to overstep…”
“I’m paying you to overstep, my friend.”
“Frankly, Johnny, it’s the lowest sum I’ve ever seen for a pro athlete.”
My gaze drops to the number in question. Fifteen grand for doing nothing?
“I’m a rookie. You said yourself you didn’t expect any big endorsements for me until next year.”
“I did. You’re right. But once you accept your first endorsement, others will look at that and your earnings from it to determine your worth. If you take a lowball offer out of the gate, you’re telling others that this is all it takes to get you.”
“Yeah, but it’s my family’s company.”
“Of course. I understand, but I wouldn’t feel good about you taking the deal if I didn’t caution you first.”
I mull over his words as I consider the number. I may not like how my dad phrased it, but he was right—Maverick Enterprises has been endorsing me for years.
“I don’t care about the money.”
He chuckles again. “Ah, I love rookies. In two years, I’m going to remind you of this conversation when we’re renegotiating your contract.”
“I don’t even need it. Can’t I just give it all to charity or something? Would that help?”
“Yeah. We could do something like that. Do you have a charity in mind?”
“No, but I’m sure my parents have one they like.”
He’s quiet for a beat.
“What is it?” I prompt him. We’re still getting used to one another, but I gather that Hugh isn’t someone who freely speaks his mind without a lot of thought and consideration.
“You’re not Maverick Enterprises. You’re Johnny Maverick.”
“I know.” Oh, how I know.
“All right. Then let’s pick out a charity that means something to you. Give it some thought, and I’ll check in later.”
“Yeah… okay. I can do that.”
“So we’re accepting the offer?”
There’s a knock at the door, and I call, “It’s open.” Before responding to Hugh. “Yeah, let’s do it.”
Dakota comes in with Charli. She stopped by to take her on a short run. She’s sweaty, and her cheeks are red. Her tank top is rolled up to the line of her sports bra, and her shorts sit below her belly button. Charli’s tongue hangs out as she trots to her water bowl. Mine too, girl.
Dakota waves and disappears back out the door without speaking.
“Great.” Hugh’s voice breaks the silence. “I’ll get to work then.”
“Actually, hold up. I have another idea.”
6
Dakota
I’m getting in my car after work wh
en an unknown Minnesota number calls. I start the engine and blast the air conditioning while staring at the ringing phone in my hand. The vent blows warm air. It likely won’t cool down until I get home. I switch it off and roll down the windows instead.
“Hello?” I answer when the breeze flows through my car.
“Hi, Dakota. This is Katherine Holland. I’m the human resources manager at the Wildcats.”
Oh crap. I wonder if they didn’t get my email declining the position.
“I am sorry I was out and didn’t get a chance to talk with you. Blythe had great things to say.”
“Thank you. I enjoyed talking with her very much.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. Ugh. I had almost put that opportunity out of my mind, but now I’m back to feeling sorry for myself.
“I got your email declining the offer.”
“Oh yeah?” This is beyond awkward. “The job sounds great. Perfect, actually, but I didn’t realize it was unpaid.”
I pull my hair away from my neck and let the breeze cool me off.
“I completely understand that but what if we could offer compensation for a similar position? Would you still be interested?”
“Yeah.” I don’t even need to hear what the job is. Having a foot in the door at the Wildcats would be huge.
“I was hoping you would say that.” She laughs softly. “We have a unique situation with a sponsor-paid internship. They’re endorsing one of our players and want someone to assist with the campaign: marketing materials and social media content. There is even a photo shoot with the player scheduled.”
Ooooh. I would get to work directly with the players?
“Why wouldn’t they just hire me directly instead of going through you?”
“Good question. Normally they wouldn’t, but this is a unique situation, as I said, and Blythe pushed hard to make this happen. The sponsor-paid work likely won’t take up all of your availability, and we’re hoping to use you in our intern pool still when you’re free. So, more work, but you will be compensated.”
“What’s the compensation?” I close my eyes. Please be enough. Please be enough.
“Twelve thousand for the summer paid in weekly increments, and it covers housing, too.”
“I’m sorry.” I chuckle as the number floats in my head, taunting me. “It sounded like you said twelve thousand.” Fifteen hundred dollars a week? That can’t be a thing.
Her laughter loosens the tension in my neck that I’ve been carrying since I had to decline the internship. “I did. It’s a great opportunity and honestly not one that’s passed my desk before. I looked over the contract myself, and the deliverables don’t feel out of line or beyond what I think you’re capable of. Due to confidentiality, I’m not able to say the player or endorsement until after you’ve signed the contract.” It sounds like she’s shuffling papers as she continues. “I can tell you that you’ll be required to assist with a photo shoot and marketing and advertising copy for each of their social media platforms. If there’s anything you’re worried about, we can talk about what that would look like.”
“I can handle it. All of it. Whatever is needed.”
“I love your confidence. And I’m sure you can. Blythe has agreed to supervise it, and there’s nothing she hasn’t seen before. The two of you will have no problem. If you’d like a day or two to think it over—”
“Yes! I mean, no, I don’t need time. I’m a yes.” I still have to figure out how to get there, but I will duct tape this car together and roll in on fumes if I have to!
After I tell Reagan and Ginny the news and we spend a good twenty minutes jumping up and down celebrating, I head downstairs to Maverick’s apartment.
I knock, but the music inside is so loud, I doubt he can hear me. I open it a crack and poke my head in. Boxes are everywhere, stacked up on one another in the living room. I walk all the way in and shut the door. I can hear Charli whining but have to step through a cardboard maze to find her. She yips, and I bend over to pick her up before continuing through the apartment.
It’s a one-bedroom, so there aren’t a lot of places he could be hiding. I follow the music to his bedroom, but I still don’t see him.
“Mav?” Charli wriggles out of my hold and runs toward the attached bathroom. I am so not going in there. I linger awkwardly. The song ends, and I hear his voice croon at his dog. “Hey, pretty girl. I know. I know. I’m going to miss this place too.”
He walks out, shirtless, no surprise there, and pauses when he sees me. “Kota.”
“I knocked.”
He grabs his phone and turns off the music.
“Mi casa es su casa. What’s up? I was just about to take a food break.”
We walk out to the kitchen, and he opens the fridge to survey the empty shelves.
“Looks like I’m ordering. Want anything?”
“No. I just came to tell you the good news.”
He puts his phone on the counter and leans back against it, giving me his undivided attention.
“I accepted an internship with the Wildcats!”
“No way?” His lips pull into a broad smile. “Congrats!”
“Thank you. I’m so excited. Technically it’s an internship with a company called JM Holdings, but I’ll be in the intern pool and just doing that on the side. They’re endorsing one of the players. I wonder what they sell? It’s probably hockey equipment or something equally boring.”
He grunts.
“Boring to me,” I clarify. “But I’m so excited!”
“I knew everything would work out.”
“I am in shock still. It’s too good to be true. The pay is… incredible, and it covers housing.”
“Where are you staying?” He bends down to get Charli’s water bowl and refills it.
“It’s across from the arena. The Legends, I think. It’s a one-bedroom, looked pretty standard, but I won’t have to worry about transportation which is a plus.”
“That’s where I’m staying. We’ll still be neighbors.”
“Oh, good. I’ll have my side hustle as a fallback plan.”
He chuckles. “Let’s order some food and celebrate.”
“The girls have already claimed all of my remaining hours until I leave. We’re staying in tonight and then going out dancing tomorrow. No boys allowed.”
“Boo. That’s no fun.”
“I do have a favor, though.”
“Shoot.”
“Could I still take you up on the offer to ride up together? I’ll leave my car here and then rent something to drive back.”
“Yeah, of course. When do you have to be there?”
“Monday,” I say tentatively, hoping he hasn’t made plans beyond that.
“Perfect. We can leave Saturday morning, be in Minnie-soda Sunday night.”
“Great.” I squeal. “I cannot believe this is all working out. It’s too much.”
“Nah, you deserve it.”
“Oh, just one more tiny request.”
He grins. “What happens on road trips, stays on road trips.”
“What?”
“If you want to share a hotel room, maybe get naked and wrestle, then by all means.” He winks.
“Tempting,” I say sarcastically. “But my favor does solve the shared bed situation. I need to stop by my dad’s house and get a few items for the apartment. It’s on the way, and that will save me from having to buy a bunch of stuff when I get there. We can stay there Saturday night.”
“Ah, shit. The apartment isn’t furnished?” He looks stunned.
“No, but I don’t need much, and my dad said I could borrow a few things for the summer, so I don’t have to take stuff from the apartment here. The couch is Reagan’s anyway.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Sure. I have room in the trailer for whatever you need, or you can borrow anything of mine. Maybe just crash with me.” His eyes light up. “One bed… it was meant to be.”
“There isn’t enough room in your bed for me and the girls that hop i
n and out of it.”
He chuckles softly.
“A bed, a chair or couch, and I’ll be fine.” I step forward and hug him. His body is warm and hard. “Thank you, Johnny.”
A second passes with me squeezing his waist before his arms wrap around my back. When he speaks, the words vibrate against my cheek. “You’re welcome.”
Reagan plans a whole night of drinks and dancing for the four of us Friday night before I leave.
“It’s the first summer we’ve been apart since we met.” My best friend holds my hand as we watch Ginny and Sienna on the dance floor. We’re taking a breather and having our third shot. The bartender hates us. We keep making her split the shots into two glasses, so we don’t get hammered too fast. Plus, it’s cheaper because they almost always fill the glasses more than halfway. It’s like a shot and a half combined. Score!
We toss back the half shots, and then Reagan takes my other hand. “I know that I’ve been preoccupied with Adam and all the drama with my mom, but I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Rea.” I squeeze her hands. My best friend is tough as nails. She had to be thanks to an absent mother who only shows up when she wants something from her beautiful and talented daughter. “It’s only two months.”
“I know.” She pulls her honey-blonde hair over one shoulder and fingers a strand nervously. “It’s just that with everyone graduating and leaving, it’s starting to hit me that we won’t be roommates forever. Promise we’ll always be friends no matter where we live or how long we have to go without seeing one another?”
It’s an easy promise to make. “I swear it.”
I get to my feet and pull her into a hug. She had a shitty mother, and I lost mine at fifteen. We’re so much more than roommates and friends. Neither of us has siblings, but I love her like I imagine sisters do, and there’s no future I can imagine that doesn’t involve us remaining close.
“Have you given any thought to the hockey hotties you’re going to be working with?” She fans herself. “I saw the roster. Damn.”
“I’m there for work, not to hook up.” But she’s right. I took a look at the roster, too, and wow.
Wild Love (Campus Nights Book 4) Page 4
