Page 36 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“So they’ve expanded interest in baseball with reality TV storylines?Using lies to generate ticket sales, and sell baseball swag by creating these personas?”Declan said.
“Basically, and just about every team has a handful of players who are expected to play these roles and perform on the field.”
“From a business perspective it is kind of genius.But you’re saying you’re sick of it and now you’re stuck?”
“Bingo, that’s why I’m not at spring training.I wasn’t holding out for a bigger pay day.I told my agent I wanted out of the persona clause, but either he knows Atlanta won’t agree or he likes the bonuses he gets too much to really fight for me.”
“So you need a new agent, a new contract, and maybe a new team.But even then the storyline may always follow you.”
Levi shook his head.“I never should have agreed to it.”
“It’s a pretty big decision to make at twenty-one when someone is handing you your dream job, and a big paycheck.”
Levi nodded.“It’s not a great excuse.”
“You don’t need an excuse.We all make decisions in our youth that may not serve us later,” Declan said, without adding any other details.“To answer your question, yes, they’ve gotten a little tricky with the wording, but you’ll be beholden to present a specific type of image to the fans.An image of their choosing.”
“Then I can’t sign it, and I need to fire my agent.”
“Do you have someone else in mind to help you find a new team?”
“I think a few of my friends’ agents would welcome my call.Unless you have someone you can recommend?”
“I have a buddy from law school who has been building his agency up, but I’m not sure he’s had anyone with your level of success.”
“Can you give me his contact info anyway?Sometimes the hungry ones are the best.”
Declan nodded.“Sure.”
“I appreciate you looking at the contract and talking it through with me.If you email me the bill and that number I’d appreciate it.”
“I owe your family a lot, for helping out Missy this last year.Your brothers offered her this job with room and board, just when I thought she was going to leave town for some peace and quiet.I think Mrs.Hart has become the strong motherly figure that Missy was missing since my mom passed, but she’s still young and finding her place in the world.”
“She’s very talented.”Levi could feel some emotion rolling off of Declan, but he didn’t know if it was protection or worry, or both.
“When Missy came to live with my mom permanently, I was away in the army, but it was clear things hadn’t been right in Missy’s home life.My mom officially adopted her and made me swear to always protect her.No matter how much I owe your family, I won’t stand by and let anyone use her,” Declan said as he stood.
“I’m not interested in using her if that’s what you’re worried about.”Levi stood, too, and hoped Declan believed his sincerity.
“But you are interested in her—that’s obvious.And we don’t always set out to hurt someone, but it still happens.”
“At first I thought she tricked everyone into letting her stay here and was sorta mooching off my gran.I didn’t realize how much companionship and help Missy was for Gran,” Levi admitted.
“And, now that you know she’s not some freeloader, and you’re staying in the same house with my beautiful and talented cousin?Who is like a little sister to me?”
Levi didn’t know what to tell Declan.He hardly knew what he was feeling.Of course he was attracted to Missy—she was an effortless beauty.
“There’s something about her that I think draws people to her.It’s in her art, too, which is probably why it was so instantly successful.”
“But she works for your family, and you’ll be leaving again soon.”
Levi sighed.“I hear you loud and clear.”
Declan nodded.“Good.One last thing, you might be the Bad Boy of Baseball, but my call sign was Punisher in the army.I won’t let anyone mistreat her again.”
“Do you mean someone recently hurt Missy?”
Declan grimaced.“She wasn’t right when she came home last year after she quit law school in her third year.But I didn’t press her.If she wants me to know, she’ll tell me.”
