Page 12 of Payoff Pitch
Nope, not happening.
The next night,we’re all at a Cougars game. Because of Arizona’s status as Layton’s girlfriend, we have season passes for the seats right behind the Cougars’ dugout. We’re all wearing Cougars jerseys given to us by the owners. The same group that owns the baseball team owns the Anacondas, and they like to cross-promote. The guys wear our jerseys to our games too.
In fact, one of the owners, Reagan Daulton, is walking toward us now. She seems to be the ringleader, which is incredible because she can’t be more than a few years older than us. Whilewe’re in jean shorts and baseball jerseys with our hair in ponytails, she’s in a high-end pantsuit and heels with her blonde hair and makeup looking like they were professionally done.
She smiles when she sees us. “If it isn’t my favorite softball players. I love seeing you ladies here. The fans do too. Great win yesterday.”
Arizona shakes her hand. “Thank you. Everything is clicking for us.”
Reagan nods. “Glad to hear it. It’s my understanding that sponsorship opportunities are starting to trickle in. You’re making your mark. More will come. If you need help managing it all, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll connect you with lawyers and agents as needed.” She smiles at Kam and me. “I remember you two in a Doublemint commercial when I was a preteen.” She sings the famous line, “Double your delightment…with the right mint.”
Kam giggles. “Double your pleasure. Double your fun...”
Everyone except me joins in and sing-screams, “That’s the statement of the great mint in Doublemint gum!”
They all laugh. I do my best to fake a smile. Those memories aren’t good ones for me. They symbolize the end of our relationship with our mother.
Kam simply shakes her head. “We had to chew that fucking gum all day every day for weeks. I still can’t smell it without getting sick to my stomach. I’m a Hubba Bubba kind of girl now.”
Kam chews grape bubblegum during every game. She always has. At this point, it’s a superstition.
Reagan tilts her head to the side. “Hmm. My sister, Skylar, went to business school with the head of marketing at Hubba Bubba. Maybe we can pitch them something.”
Kam’s eyes widen in excitement. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Reagan turns her head to me in question. “I’m not a Hubba Bubba enthusiast like my sister. I’ll leave that one to her.”
I can hear Kam sigh in frustration.
Reagan slowly nods. “Gotcha. Well, I have my whole big family up in the owner’s suite tonight. I should get back. I just wanted to say hello and thank you for all you’re doing for the team. Have a good night.”
When she walks away, Kam elbows me. “What’s your problem? That could be a big deal for us. The twin thing is always a differentiator.”
“I told you; I’m never modeling again.”
“What are you going to do all off-season?”
“I want to search for a nannying job. You know how much I like that.”
I worked for two families in Chicago for the six years we were there. They were both upset I was leaving the city. It was so hard to leave the kids.
Kam doesn’t get it. She never has. Working with kids makes me happy.
CHAPTER THREE
TANNER
Hildy: Please accept this text as my resignation.
Oh shit. I don’t need this today.
Me: Why? Did Harper misbehave?
Hildy: Harper is an angel.
Me: Then what is it?
Hildy: I don’t think I have the energy for it anymore, and I have some things going on in my personal life. I’m very sorry to not give you proper notice, but I won’t be in anymore.