Page 48 of Love By The Falls

I suspected, but having Arty confirm it unsettles me. Guerrero’s current contract isn’t up for another six months. I thought I was ahead of the game.

“What are you drinking? I’ll get you another.”

“Scotch on the rocks.”

I order two, except mine is neat. “I have a table for us by the window. The server will bring our drinks there.”

“I thought Guerrero would be at this meeting. Is he coming later?”

“No,” he runs a hand through his salt and pepper hair. “He’ll come when he’s made his final decision.”

I clasp my hands. “How will he decide if I can’t speak with him?”

“I heard you had the opportunity in St. Kitts. That was quite the coincidence.” Arty takes a sip of his drink, watching me over the rim.

I keep my face serene. “It was. Perhaps it’s fate.”

Arty nods. “Maybe. He said you were there with a woman. Nice touch to make it less suspicious.”

“I met her there. We didn’t go together.”

“Really? I hear you two were quite cozy.”

“Yeah, well, it’s over now.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Mmm. You seem upset about that.”

“I think we’re getting sidetracked.” And yes, I don’t like talking about Charlotte. Whenever I think about her, I feel this pain in my chest and despite the lengths I went through to find her, it’s impossible. There are a million small towns in America, and millions of Charlottes in them. Just as many teachers, too. For a while, I considered hiring a PI, but my life is way too busy to get embroiled in a relationship right now. It was fun while it lasted, but I realized that time in St. Kitts won’t be more than an incredible memory.

I lean in toward him. “Let’s talk about this contract, Arty. What will it take to get Teo to sign with us? I’m willing to pull out all the stops for him.”

“Like what?”

“He’ll be the highest paid outfielder in the league, a house in the Hamptons, whatever car he wants, you name it.”

“He’s not interested in those things.”

“Then what’s he interested in?”

Arty shrugs. “It’s hard to explain, but when someone figures it out, Teo will be very loyal.”

“Why are you being coy? Just tell me what it is.”

Arty throws back the rest of his drink and wipes his mouth with a napkin. “This is the way he wants it. And frankly, it’s fun watching you bigwigs jump hoops trying to figure it out. Don’t worry, Cal. You’re on the right track. At least you were in St. Kitts. You’ll just have to bring on more of that.”

He stands up and throws a twenty on the table, but I hand it back to him. “I’ve got this.”

“See you around, Cal.”

“Wait, Arty. What did I do in St. Kitts that he liked? You’ve got to tell me.”

“Can’t. But I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

Arty salutes me with the side of his hand, and I narrow my eyes at his smile. He’s enjoying this cat-and-mouse game way too much.

Am I a fucking mind reader? How am I supposed to know what Teo liked about me on that trip? Did it have something to do with Charlotte? Is he a family man? I shake my head and sip my drink. Nah, I don’t get thatfeeling from him. Did he like how aggressive I was by showing up in St. Kitts? Does he like the chase? Maybe. He’s playing games right now, but I hate games. Rather, I hate losing, and that won’t happen with Guerrero.

I already lost her, and I’m obviously still salty about that.

---