Page 13 of Wild Love
By the time I was old enough to have any interest, I resented it too damn much. Now that I’ve got my own life and career, some of that baggage has lifted, and hey, free shampoo and deodorant.
“I’ll have the company lawyer send the contract to your agent. We’ll need to set up a professional photo shoot once you get to Minnesota.”
It takes a minute for his words to sink in.
“Oh.” I sit forward. “You want to endorse me?”
“Of course we do. Maverick Company has been endorsing you for twenty-one years. Who do you think paid for school and hockey gear? It’s great timing with the new male line. We want to launch in early August, so there’s a lot of work to do.”
There it is. The sneak attack. Puck to the stomach. You’re nothing without me and my money. My first endorsement deal and I can’t even be excited about it. The company’s just capitalizing on their investment.
“Right. Sure thing. I gotta go, Dad.”
“Me too. I’m about to tee off. I’ll set up the shoot with Hugh.” Without a goodbye, he ends the call.
I slump into the leather cushion and let out a breath. Then, push to my feet and open the box to see what the hell I’m going to be endorsing.
* * *
I orderpizza for the group and go upstairs, taking an armful of the free products with me. I drop them on the kitchen counter and wave my arms around. “You too can smell like me.”
Heath quirks a brow.
“It’s my first endorsement,” I explain.
He smiles. “Congrats.”
Rauthruss pushes forward and swipes a deodorant, uncaps it, and brings it to his nose to smell. “Maverick,” he reads the label. “This is your family’s brand, yeah?”
I nod. “New male hygiene line. It was unisex and female-geared before now.”
He lifts his shirt and rolls it on his pits.
“Well?” I ask. “How is it?”
He angles his body, and Heath and I lean in and sniff his armpit
“Manly.” Heath backs off with a smirk on his face.
“It kind of smells like coconuts,” I muse.
I grab one of the body sprays and squirt it onto my shirt. It’s not bad. Not great either.
“We’re proud of you, my man,” Heath says. “If I weren’t so hungover from all the partying we’ve done the last couple of weeks, I’d suggest celebrating, but I don’t think my body can take another night of drinking.”
“Let’s do something chill,” I suggest. “Grab the girls, and we’ll watch a movie.”
The guys agree without any protest, and their girlfriends come over as the pizza arrives. Dakota too. She doesn’t look as happy as when I saw her this morning.
When we settle in the living room, I take a seat next to her on the couch. “How was the interview?”
“It was great. Thank you again for connecting us.”
Huh. She said great, but she doesn’t seem very excited.
“So, are we Minnie-soda bound this summer?”
Her laugh is quiet. The movie is starting, and she leans closer and lowers her voice. “No. It didn’t work out.”
