Page 55 of The Flirty Forward

I glance over at Stephanie, whose back is to me as she sits at the table. “Stephanie said she’d take me to the game.”

It’s quiet for a moment. “And how is that going?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

She chuckles. “Okay. Well, keep me updated. Tonight, you’re free to watch the game. And then you need to be at the press conference right afterwards. And for the love of all things holy, don’t mention your relationship. Just focus on your injury and your return to the team.”

I frown. “But I wanted to help try to smooth things over.”For her.My agent knows what I’m thinking.

“Just remember that you got her into this mess by mentioning her in the press conference in the first place. Don’t mention her; let everything just die down a little.”

I walk into the living room. “I uh, already asked her to go to the game with me,” I say in a low voice, hoping Stephanie won’t hear me.

“Sebastian, you’re supposed to be letting things die down. If you show up together at the game, everything will just get crazy again.”

“I know; that’s the point. I want people to see that she’s with me, not against me. I’m trying to help her image.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re not helping her image as much as you’re helping yourself,” she chides.

“That’s not,” I start and then pause. That’s not what I’m doing.Right? I mean I want her at my side all the time, and I’ll use any means to do it. But I truly do want to help her so that people will leave her alone at least with all the negativity. If they can see she’s with me, she’ll still get lots of attention, but it will be positive. Mostly.Fine.I see her point.

“Just be careful,” she warns. “And don’t miss that press conference tonight.”

“Thanks, Crystal. You’re the best.”

“That’s why you pay me the big bucks,” she says fondly. She's not wrong; she costs a fortune. But she’s worth it. I watched what Aiden went through with his last agent; that was a mess. Now he’s a client of Crystal’s as well because she’s the best.

I put my phone in my pocket and make my way back into the kitchen. “Sorry about that.”

She shrugs. “You’re fine. The food’s ready; help yourself.”

I notice in disappointment that she’s nearly done eating, and I kick myself for taking that call. I should have waited. I quickly fill my plate and sit across from Stephanie. I take a bite and then another. “This is quite good,” I say after I finish chewing.

She shrugs. “It’s no gourmet meal, but it will work.”

I take another bite. “It’s really good; thanks for cooking for me.” I look up and meet her eyes. She looks like a deer in headlights for a moment before she straightens.

“So, Crystal, huh?”

I nod, not sure where she’s going with this. For some reason, I feel the need to explain myself. “She’s been my agent since the beginning. She’s great. Aiden just became her client halfway through the season last season.”

“And Brielle’s okay with this Crystal?”

The way she says her name makes me want to smile, but I don’t. “Yeah. Bri’s good with it.” She looks adorably irritated, and I personally love it. I lean forward. “Crystal’s in her sixties.”

Stephanie’s eyes snap to mine, and I sit back, satisfied. I take another bite of my food. It does taste good. Stephanie picks up her plate and takes it to the sink. “Well, that’s...great.” I smile to myself again. She might say she doesn’t care, but her words tonight prove otherwise. I just gotta keep at it with this girl. I’ve never given up on something I want, and I’m not about to start now.

Chapter 20

Stephanie

“What time do we need to leave?” I ask as I finish rinsing my plate and stick it in the dishwasher.

He glances at his phone. “If we could leave in the next half hour, that would be good.”

“Do I need to get a ticket?”

“Chloe got us two tickets; we just have to grab them from the office when we get there,” he tells me.

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