Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Hi, Kels,” I say as I lean down and kiss her. “I missed you today.”
“I missed you,” she says breathlessly. “I have a present for you.”
Any other day, I’d take her to the house or at least under the patio to the outside living room, but she actually has a present for me. Without taking her eyes off mine, she squats down and picks up the wrapped gift.
“Open it.”
Slowly, I take the bow off, undue the taped sides, and lift the lid off the box. My eyes widen when I see the book I wrote nestled in tissue paper.
“It’s the first copy,” she tells me. “They were delivered today, and Russ brought the first one to me.”
I take my book out of the box and hold it in my hand. When I approached Kelsey about this, it was an excuse so I could see her, and she made all of this happen. Now that I’m holding it in my hands, this is the coolest thing I have ever done. Sure, I’m a pro football player and have the hottest and best fiancée and my life is pretty great, but this . . . this book that has my name on the cover is by far the most amazing thing I have ever done.
“Wow!”
“You know, it’s not every day that I get to see my client’s reaction when they get their copies. I kind of like seeing your reaction.”
I sit down on the chaise and flip through the pages. The illustrator did a fantastic job, and the Pioneer colors really pop on the glossy pages. My fingers trail over the words in amazement.
“You know I never thought this would happen.”
“Why not?” Kelsey asks.
Shrugging, I continue flipping through the pages. “I used this as a ploy to spend time with you, and now look at it.”
“You did good,” she tells me. “But there’s more.”
“There is?”
She nods. “Russ has you booked for a signing at the bookstore.”
“No way?”
“Yep, and the children from the center all get a free copy.”
“I really like that.”
Kelsey sits next to me. “There’s more.”
“I’m not sure I can take anymore news,” I tell her.
“The team will be with you. Russ took copies over to the Myles today, and he’s going to make sure they each get a copy before next week’s event.”
I set my hand on her leg. “That’s really great. Some of the guys don’t live here though. Like Noah.”
“He’ll be here,” she tells me. “Russ and Myles have been planning this for a bit, in preparation for your summer release.”
“You guys thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“It our jobs.” She plays with my hair at the nape of my neck. During the off-season, I’ve let it grow out. I’m thinking of keeping it because she likes to tug on it when she’s about to climax and I sort of like the feeling. “Well, not the editors, but Valentine’s. She’s really good at her job and making sure local bookstores know when someone in their area is releasing a book.”
“So, what happens at this book thing?”
“The signing?”
I nod.
“Well, you’ll be the center of attention.” She laughs. “You’ll do a reading, answer some questions, and then you’ll sit at a table and sign their copies.”
I blow out an exaggerated gust of hot air. It’s one thing to be on TV but I’m surrounded by greatness and people are more focused on them than me. To have everyone fixated on me—I don’t know how I feel about that.
“This sounds like a lot of pressure.”
“You’ll be fine,” Kelsey tells me. “I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.”
“You won’t leave my side?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Valentine and Russ will be there as well. You’ll have your entire publishing team, as well as your football team there to support you.” Kelsey kisses me softly. “The kids are going to love you, Alex. You really did an amazing job on this book.”
“It wouldn’t have happened without you” Pulling her into my side, I say, “I love you. I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.”
“Only the best for my guy. I love you too, Alex. You really rocked this book. Everyone is going to love it.”
I’m nervous.
Every time I look out, there are more and more kids waiting to meet me. Waiting for me to come out there and read to them. I can’t recall the last time I read to anyone, other than Kelsey. I shouldn’t be nervous though. I’ve done meet and greets a thousand times over, this should be easy.
Valentine comes toward me with a bright smile. She’s someone who really enjoys her job, which I suppose for what she does, that’s a good thing.
“Are you ready, Alex?”
“I think so.”
She nods in encouragement. “They’re very excited to meet you. Remember, they already know you as a football player, so you need to just go out there and be yourself.”