Page 39 of Payoff Pitch

I quickly close the chest and quietly run back to Harper’s room. “Sorry, I didn’t see any hats.”

She’s now dressed and takes my hands. “Come on, silly. I’ll show you where he keeps them.”

“You get the hat. I’ll be downstairs.”

I walk downstairs and see Tanner on the phone. He looks stressed as he barks out, “I agree, Jerry. There’s noIin team, but there is one in dickhead, and that’s what you’re being. He deserves every cent I’m asking for. In fact, he deserves more. You have until noon tomorrow to come to your senses. After that, his price tag is going up. We both know what he’ll garner on the open market. Good luck fielding a team next year without him.”

He aggressively presses the end button on the call without any further word and mutters, “Asshole,” under his breath.

Seeing him in his element, being commanding, just took his sexiness up another notch. I’m going to have to change my panties before the game.

I think I let out a moan or some other noise because he whips his head around to me. “Hey. Sorry if you heard that. I didn’t see you standing there.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “Some people are such short-sighted assholes.”

I take a few calming breaths, resisting the urge to fan my face. “Honestly, I think it’s great that you advocate so hard for your clients. Don’t apologize for doing your job. I didn’t realize how antagonistic it can be.”And how freaking hot it is.

“Not every negotiation is like that. I’ve always had amicable negotiations with the Cougars. I think it will be even stronger with the new ownership. Reagan Daulton is smart and understands value.”

“She’s been more than fair to us. Honestly, she’s overpaying all of us.”

He smirks. “Investing, not overpaying. You guys are puttingbutts in the seats with your play. You’re the best in the country. There’s something special about your group that Reagan identified before this team even came to fruition. She did her homework. The Anacondas will win the league in the team’s first year of existence. That’s practically unheard of in professional sports. Trust me, if anything, you’re underpaid. Value yourself or others won’t value you.”

I simply contemplate his words as he continues, “Honestly, I’ve never worked much with female athletes. A few tennis players here and there, but nothing more. I see the way my daughter idolizes you all. I think I want to find more female agents, probably former athletes, and start a division in my company devoted solely to representing people exactly like you who aren’t paid enough. Look at your male counterpart on the Cougars.”

“Ezra?”

“Yes.”

“He’s a great ballplayer.”

“He’s a solid defensive second baseman and a mediocre hitter. You’re better in your sport than he is in his.”

“But the Cougars draw more fans. It’s dollars and cents.”

“Perhaps, but they don’t come to see Ezra Decker. They come because the Cougars have been a staple in this town for a century and because of stars like Layton Lancaster, Trey DePaul, and Quincy Abbott. Even Cheetah is a draw, not only for his play, but his larger-than-life personality. It’s not Ezra, and he makes probably forty times what you make. That’s not right. I get more indignant every time I think about it.”

We hear Harper’s voice as she enters the kitchen. “Indignant. Anger toward something unfair. What’s unfair, Daddy?”

“That women aren’t paid as much as men for doing the same damn job. When you’re a professional softball player, I want you to make as much money as the boys.”

She crosses her arms and emphatically nods. “I won’t charge you for the bad word since you think I’ll be a professional softball player.”

I can’t help but smile at the confidence he’s instilling in her.And me.

I’mat the Cougars game with Kam, Arizona, and Ripley. Quincy is pitching a gem.

Now that Arizona and Layton are theit coupleof Philadelphia, the cameras constantly find us in our seats directly behind the Cougars’ dugout. Kam loves the spotlight and is always dancing for the cameras, often to a sea of applause. We’re staples on the big screen at the stadium at this point.

When we were recently shopping for the upcomingSports Illustratedreveal party, I made the mistake of asking Arizona if Tanner was coming. My sister latched onto it and has been cracking jokes about me and Tanner for the past few days.

While Arizona and Ripley are busy chatting away, Kam leans over. “Seriously, is something going on with you and Tanner Montgomery?”

I shake my head. “No. I swear.”

“Are you into him? I know you like more mature men.”

I bite my lip. “I have a little crush. It’s harmless though. He’s a lot older than me. I think he sees me as a kid.”

She raises an eyebrow. “We’re a lot of things, Bails, but kids isn’t one of them. No man sees us that way and you know it. Just because you choose not to use your assets to your advantage doesn’t mean they’re not there.”