Page 127 of Puck with Karma
I finally find my phone and frown at the screen. It’s a New York number, but I don’t recognize it. I hesitate before finally answering the call.
“Miss Bennett,” a male’s voice greets me. “My name is Jay Brown. I am calling from the New York Sliders. I just sent to your email a comprehensive package showing the terms of the contract for Xander Hamilton. It contains everything you’ve been discussing with the management.”
I rush to my laptop, booting it up with shaky fingers. When I finally access my email account, right at the top, I see an email from Jay Brown.
“This better not be you hacking me, Mr. Brown,” I manage to say right before clicking on it to look at the contents. My voice sounds strong and stern, and so not like how I feel inside.
“Miss Bennett, I assure you that we are a respectable organization…”
He sounds offended, but I don’t listen to whatever else he has to say. My eyes are hungrily scanning the contents of the document he sent. I spot all the numbers I was hoping to see in writing. In addition, there are quite a few amenities included, and I feel like I am in a dream.
The realization that this is real hits me from out of nowhere. I did this, all of this, for Xander. He will be playing for a new team because of all the work I put into it.
The road to here was hell at times. I freaked out a lot, and I called Xander’s father for advice on a couple of instances. Despite everything Xander told me about the man, he was incredibly patient with me, guiding me along the way.
“I have to have our legal team take a look at this, Mr. Brown,” I now inform Jay Brown. “We’ll be in touch.”
I hang up and drop my face into my hands. The squeal escaping the back of my throat can be heard throughout the building, I’m sure of it.
My phone rings with another call. This time, there is no hesitation when I answer.
“Hannah,” I yell into the speaker. “I can’t believe this!”
“Wait,” she orders. “We need to bring Riley in. Don’t say anything yet.”
A few seconds later, and we are all on the call.
“Tell us everything!”
“I got Xander the contract! With the Sliders! I did it all, from start to finish!”
I can’t contain my happiness. I want to jump up and down, and I want to scream it off the top of my lungs.
“This is huge!” My friends are cheering with me.
“You’re paying for dinner next time we see you,” Hannah demands. “At a fancy place, too! You’ll have all the money!”
“Oh…” The laughter dies off. “I actually don’t have much left.” I haven’t thought yet about getting a real paying job. I need to. “I invested into Wesley’s company, and I…”
Hannah interrupts me. “What are you talking about, girl?”
“Money. Isn’t that what I need to pay for dinner with?” I tease. “But I will buy you dinner once I have a job…”
“Abby,” Riley chuckles softly in my ear. “You just got Xander this huge contract. You acted as his agent, right?”
“Right…”
“Well, doesn’t that mean that…” Riley hesitates now, so Hannah jumps in to help.
“It means you’re getting a cut, girl! Commission! Whatever the hell they call it!”
“This is insane!” My voice comes out like a weird squeal.
“We are so proud of you, Abby.” Riley sounds choked up when she says it. “You are amazing, and you did it all on your own.”
Her words mean more to me than I could say. They make their mark on my heart, and it is a feeling I will cherish forever. Another incoming call is taking away from the moment.
“I’m so sorry, I have to call you back. It’s the attorney calling about the contract. We need to submit it tonight or it’ll no longer be valid!”
