Saving Maverick Read Free Page B

where’s the party being held?” she asked.
    â€œAt the Lakeside Resort in Coeur d’Alene. It’s a short drive and after we arrive and get some drinks, we’ll talk more about what I have in mind. I’ll introduce you to some of the city leaders. Maybe you could field some of their concerns with Maverick blasting the city and its inhabitants?” T.S. settled back in the rich leather seat of the late model SUV. He was definitely a man used to getting his way.
    Within ten minutes they’d arrived at the resort. “Thank you, Henry. I’ll call you when we’re ready to return to the stadium.” T.S. walked over to her side of the car and placed his hand lightly on her elbow. They began walking toward the revolving glass doors leading into the lobby of the luxury hotel.
    â€œ You know this is plain weird, right? We’ve never worked together. What if it ruins our friendship?”
    â€œWe won’t let it. Short of posting childhood pictures of me on Twitter, there’s nothing you could do to end our friendship,” T.S. assured her.
    They skirted the tiered fountain in the lobby. Kelsey noticed others on their way to the charity event in cocktail attire. She tugged at her suit jacket and wished again she’d been able to change into her favorite armor—her little black dress from Chanel.
    â€œWell, the evening’s just begun. You shouldn’t have planted the idea,” Kelsey teased. “I’ll help you with the locals tonight, as a friend, but that doesn’t mean I’ve agreed to anything.”
    â€œThis isn’t a job interview, Kels. As far as I’m concerned, the job’s yours. I need to get you to agree to take it, friendship notwithstanding.”
    â€œAre you sure he even wants to change? From what I’ve read, he quite enjoys ticking off the league and providing plenty of talking points for the news media. Not to mention his revolving stable of women.”
    T.S. chuckled and placed an arm around her shoulder.
    â€œGlad I amuse you.” Kelsey sidestepped his hug and punched him. Not as hard as she wanted, but enough to let him know she was serious.
    â€œYou know, I expected you to be equally upset with Maverick. After all, he went after you in the video too. Yet, not once have you said anything derogatory about him. Why is that?”
    â€œBecause that’s what everyone would have expected. Don’t worry, he’ll hear about it, in private. I’m not interested in airing the team’s dirty laundry tonight. Plus, I know if he hadn’t still been reeling from the loss of the division championship, he most likely wouldn’t have had such an ugly reaction.”
    â€œ Smart. Tell me why you gambled so much on a boyhood dream? Owning a USBL team and moving it to Pineville means that much to you, does it?” Kelsey asked.
    â€œLife’s a gamble, Kelsey. Nothing is achieved if you tell yourself it can’t be done. Plenty of people did that to me in my life. I still run into that type of person from time to time, especially since I bought the team. Maverick just got caught talking about what a lot of people are still thinking about this ball club. And yes, bringing the organization to Pineville means everything to me. I’m not naïve enough to think it’s going to be a piece of cake, but it’s going to be worth it. And I have every belief that I will succeed and ‘Scott’s Folly’ will not be a failure.”
    Kelsey raised an eyebrow at the mention of the media’s nickname for the team’s move to Idaho. No one in the sports world was betting he would succeed. Probably because they’d never been in his presence.
    â€œWhat do you say, Kelsey? Do we have a deal?” They’d arrived at the penthouse and after stopping for introductions, T.S. guided them toward the bar for her promised drink.
    What could she say? She’d already begun mapping out