Page 189 of So This Is War
“I see it all the time,” I say. “He’s so not the guy he puts out there for the media and the fans. He’s so different when it’s just us. He’s selfless, thinks of me all the time and my needs, not his.”
Penny props her chin on her hand and leans on the table. “How so? Also, I know we are here to talk business, and we’ll get to that, but I need to know more about this relationship. I’m fascinated.”
“As long as you promise to tell me how you felt when Eli texted you that he just ate an apple.”
Penny laughs. “Oh my God, he told you that?”
I nod. “He takes responsibility for all his friends being in love, and he went into great detail about it, but I’m sure what he didn’t say to you guys is how each of you are the perfect counterpart.”
“He said that?” Penny asks, looking surprised.
“He did. And he’s really happy for all of you, especially his boys.”
“See.” Blakely swats at Penny. “He might be a little off, but he’s a good guy.”
“I never said he wasn’t a good guy. I’m just perplexed by him. Is he good in bed?”
“Incredible,” I say. “And adventurous.”
“Huh.” Penny looks over at Blakely. “Maybe it’s in the Gatorade in the stadium or something.”
Blakely chuckles. “That has to be it. Although, you’re the only one with a baby.”
“Trust me, everyone will be right behind me. I know it.” Penny glances at me. “By the flush in her cheeks, I would say she’s next.”
“Ooo, not sure I’m ready for that yet, but I do want kids someday.”
Penny shakes her head in disbelief. “She does seem perfect for him, don’t you think?”
“I do,” Blakely says. “And let me tell you, we are not kidding when we say that man is infatuated with you. Like absolutely crazy for you.”
“He is,” Penny says. “I’m sure he’s showed you how crazy he is for you, but when he first needed our help, he was losing it. He wanted nothing more than to make a move on you, to make you his, to show you that he’s not a playboy, that he can be a one-woman man. He also wanted to get to know you more, and not in the way where he was seeing how annoyed you would get over the asinine tasks he gave you. He hated everything he was making you do. It actually made him sick.”
I smile softly. “Yeah, he told me, and he’s apologized far too many times for it.”
“Because he’s a good guy,” Blakely says. “Even though he says weird shit to us.”
“Eh, we say weird shit to him,” Penny says, then turns her attention back to me. “Okay, enough of that. I have an idea for you if you don’t mind. I know you’re struggling with your dad and him understanding what you want to do with your career. I hope it’s okay that we know.”
“It’s totally okay,” I say.
“Well, Blakely and I were thinking we have an upcoming charity event for American Thanksgiving. We call it a week of giving back. The fans bring in food donations, and we do themed nights. One of the nights is kind of stupid, but the fans love it—we turn the players into different dishes.”
“Yes,” I say. “I’ve seen this. I especially loved the one where my dad was turned into a cooked turkey.”
“Exactly,” Penny says. “I was thinking that maybe you could head up the graphics for those. The guy who did them last year left the organization, and we weren’t going to do it, but then we thought, maybe we could ask you. We’ll have you help out that night as well, so you get the feel of it. Posey is a big contributorto the week, so it all fits together. And you get to be involved in both business-focused activities, per your dad’s request, and use that creative head of yours.”
“Yes, I’d love to. But only if I can turn Eli into apple pie.”
Penny and Blakely both snort.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Penny says. “Although”—she taps her chin—“we did make a baby over a French silk pie, so maybe go with that.”
“Consider it done.”
Chapter Eighteen
LEVI
