Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“You reached out to me about a proposition.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for getting back to me. Please give me a moment, I just need to get to my desk and pull out the information.”
“Of course.”
She remembered him from watching Linc play ball. Adam had been, well, still was, the pitcher for the Dutchmen. Tall like Mitchell, with blond hair and green eyes that many a woman swooned over. Personally, her own tastes ran to black hair and eyes.
Covering the phone, she gave Linc a small smile. “Work.”
“Do you need me to handle it?”
She smiled as she shook her head. “I have it. I’ll set up at the table.” Betrayal ate at her gut but she ignored it. He would understand why she was reaching out to this man. Yes, she had to tell him, but not before this meeting with Mr. Stevenson.
“You okay if I go to the gym?”
“Of course,” she said, walking to her bag and bending over to unzip it and pull out her portfolio that contained what she needed. Carrying it to the round black marble circular table in the corner, she settled in one of the gray chairs and put in her earbuds. “I’m almost ready, thank you for your patience.”
Adam murmured something she would suppose was appropriate but truth be told, she was sidetracked by Linc as he walked out of their shared bedroom, shirtless. The man met her gaze and winked before drawing his shirt on over his head.
Approaching her, he dragged his fingers along her shoulders before pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Be back later.” His whispered words robbed her of any response so all she could do was nod.
Then when the door closed behind him, she flipped open her portfolio and jumped to the section she was working on to help Linc acquire more funding.
“I appreciate you getting back to me, Mr. Savaglio.”
“Have to say I was shocked. Linc hasn’t exactly been friendly with any of us since he got out.” A bark of laughter, which she wasn’t positive held all that much humor in it. “Guess money will do strange things.”
She ground her jaw and looked around, making sure she truly was alone. “I have to be honest with you, Mr. Savaglio, he doesn’t know I’m in contact with you. I work with him and I’m reaching out to lots of potential investors.” Her grin lifted her lips. “Linc has a grand vision and he wants to take this center national to give children safe places to gather, learn, play, and create bonds that will last a lifetime.”
A low hum crossed the line. “And you’re going against his wishes to speak with those he used to play with?”
She drummed her fingers on the paper before her. “He never explicitly told me to stay away from ballplayers.”
This time his chuckle was humorous. “Oh, I like you already, Emma. Can I call you Emma?”
“Of course.”
“We love that man, all of us do, but he pushed us away after his injury. He’s rebuffed all attempts to reconnect with us. And we tried, numerous times. Sure, when his accident happened, we were assholes because he wasn’t going to be able to help get us to the championship.” A deep breath. “I just didn’t know the depth of his injuries or how hard it was for him to climb out of that hole. When I got my own head out of my ass, it was too late. Bridges had been burned. On both sides.”
That broke her heart. Linc had such a large heart and was so damn giving. Why would he shut off part of himself that was so important? I want to know everything.
“Nevertheless,” Adam continued. “I want to contribute and I’ll pull in some of the other players to do the same. Our clubhouse hasn’t been the same since he left. I know that players move on, but we do tend to keep in touch with our friends. With him, he was there, then gone with no trace or chance to reconnect. If this is what it takes to get him back in our life, we’ll take it.”
She made some notes on her page. “I’ll send over his proposal so you can look at it.”
“Let me give you my personal email.”
Emma entered it in her phone along with his personal numbers. “Thank you, Mr. Savaglio.”
“No, no. We’re going to be friends and you are going to get me back to Linc. Call me Adam.”
“Adam,” she capitulated.
“Before I let you go,” he said, “do I have your permission to share this with the other guys I have in mind?”
She raked her mind over the players’ names and couldn’t pull anyone specifically that Linc had despised. She’d not asked about others, given how fast he’d shut her down when she merely said “Adam” to him. Sure, the guys had had some disagreements on the field and he’d had some dustups with a few but she didn’t recall anything so serious he wouldn’t be okay with this.