It’s late November, I’m sitting in Hal’s office as he paces back and forth behind his desk, in excitement. “There couldn’t be better timing for this deal, Brett. I mean, with Super Bowl only eight weeks away, this is the perfect way to show the impact you’ve had this season. I know Dietrick is impressed with this offer from Branded Athletics, I called him this morning. Who knows? Maybe I can get a few other big names in the works. You are more than saving the team this season.”

I’m hardly paying attention to what Hal has said. I’m thinking of Lexi and how I make our casual arrangement into a more serious one. Though my mind should be on nothing but my career right now, I can’t stop thinking of Lexi and the fun we have together. As Hal drones on about my career, I drift off to a place where my mouth is enveloped around Lexi’s thick red lips, inhaling her sweet scent as I do. As my lips pull away from hers, her gorgeous azure eyes gaze up at me, pleadingly. She gives me a knowing smile—it’s not the one she plasters on television—this sexy face is reserved for me.

I slip my phone beneath his desk, put it on vibrate and begin to text her.

I bite my lower lip as I send the message. I should be inviting her out to do something, not making small talk. I sigh in frustration. Hal stops talking and glares at me, “Earth to Brett! Hello? Are you going to say something? Maybe tell me how you feel about it?”

“Well, I’m happy about it.” I give a sheepish grin. I haven’t heard much of what he’s said. I’m hoping he’s still talking about the commercial.

“Are you kidding me? I manage to pull an advertising deal with one of the biggest athletics companies and you’re ‘happy’ about it. There’s a hint of indignation on his face. “You should be ecstatic. Last year, an advertising deal was a distant dream. All you have been talking about this past year is how stagnant you career was.”

“Sorry, I’ve got a lot on my mind right now, Hal.”

“Three more games until your vacation, Brett. Win those, and Super Bowl is around the corner.”

“Right.” I stare at a Hawaiian bobblehead dancer wobbling on his desk.

Hal pulls his chair and takes a seat, “All right, player, what’s up?”

“What do you mean,” I ask, straightening up.

“You never come in my office without your focus. When I told you about the deal, I thought you’d be jumping up and down. Sure, it’s not a high paying deal, but you know it will open doors to other opportunities. Something else is on your mind. What is it?”

“Lexi.”

“Shit.” Hal stands with a frustrated expression. “I should have known.” He begins to pace again. “Brett, this is not the time to get involved with a girl. You need to have your head in the game.”

“I do. I mean, I am thinking about the game a lot. But I want to see Lexi a bit more, you know. See where it could go.”

Hal chortles, “You’ve gone on a couple of dates now, haven’t you? I mean, you’re pretty much already in the zone.”

“Not exactly. I have an arrangement with Lexi. We agreed we would be casual.” I shift uncomfortably in my chair. “You know, like she’d be my reward after a game.”

“Perfect,” Hal says, emphatic. “You should use that to motivate you in your upcoming games. If you win games, you’ll get a romp with Lexi. Lexi will also have the opportunity for an interesting interview. Be interesting, Brett. That’s important right now. Be interesting.”

“Thanks, but I’m not looking to use Lexi.” I can’t believe that I had ever hatched a plan to ruin Lexi. How immature. I reach out for a football from off Hal’s desk. I grip it between my hands.

“Don’t forget that these interviews will be good for Lexi’s career.” Hal continues as he taps his finger to his lips. “Let that motivate you.”

I give him a sarcastic look, “Thanks for the added pressure.”

“Lexi is getting older,” Hal says in his business-like manner. “She could use a boost."

I throw the ball hard at Hal’s stomach, taking the wind out of him. “She’s still in her twenties, Hal.”

Hal heaves. “Easy.” He keels over in his chair. It takes him a moment to catch his breath. “Don’t take it personal. She’s up there. Anyway, I’m looking for ways to motivate you during a game.”

“I was born motivated. I don’t need you to give me reasons. Besides, I’m not an idiot. I know getting interviews with winning athletes is good for Lexi’s career.”

“Sorry, Brett. But, you’ve worked so hard for this kind of opportunity. I want you to make the most of it.”

I know Hal is being genuine, but I don’t think I can get my head in the game until I figure out how to deal with Lexi. “I know it’s weird, me coming in here, talking about Lexi and not my career,” I say. “But now that I’m beginning to have feelings for her, she’s all that has been on my mind. I want to figure out how to have a serious relationship without scaring her off.”

Hal presses his lips together, “Hm. Hate to tell you this Brett, but I heard she was done with athletes after Tristan Huckle.”

“She is?”

My phone vibrates. It’s another text from Lexi.

I look up at Hal, smiling. “Looks like I don’t have to worry if she has sworn off athletes. Lexi has just invited me to go to a fashion show.”

“Is that so? What show, Brett?”

“Seems I got a choice between Prada, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs.”

“You know Izzy Avery is probably going to be in all those shows.” Hal gives me an apprehensive look. “And you know how Izzy can be. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have Lexi within a mile of Izzy.”

“Pfft. Izzy will be too busy on stage with her image to notice Lexi or I. Besides, with Lexi Driver around, who’s got time for Izzy?”