Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“Hey, Chelsea. That was quite the performance from Luca, huh?”
“Yeah, he’s definitely not lacking in the personality department, that’s for sure.”
Bellamy shifts his weight. “I came in before dawn today to get through some paperwork and I noticed you putting Luca through some drills on the practice field, bright and early.”
“Yeah, he worked his tail off for me today. I’m super excited to help him progress and grow as a player.”
“So that’s going to be a regular thing? He’s agreed to that?”
“Yep. I’m going to do everything in my power to turn him around, so when he starts showing drastic improvement by all standards and metrics of his position, you’ll know the improvement was thanks to me.”
Bellamy smirks. “I must admit, after Luca’s performance just now, I’ve acquired an increased interest in getting him across the line.”
My heart rate increases.
“As you know,” he continues, “thanks to the contract terms my aunt agreed to with your father, he’s got full control over the names that make it onto his final roster. So I don’t have the ability to get Luca over the line myself.”
Oh no. “Mr. Bellamy, if you’re asking me to try to persuade my father to—”
“No, no. I know that wouldn’t be effective. Your father clearly adores you, but he’s not going to put any player onto his roster who hasn’t earned the spot.”
I exhale with relief. “I’d never ask him to do otherwise.”
“Yeah, I know. But still, he did personally ask you to coach Maguire, and you’ve already got him listening to you, right? So, I’ve got an idea. A proposal, if you will. Something that would be a win-win-win for you, me, and Luca if you’re able to pull it off.”
I shift my weight, feeling increasingly stressed out. Where’s Bellamy going with this? If given ten guesses, I don’t think I’d get it.
“You still want that job that’ll be opening up in my department soon?”
My heart stops. “Yes, sir. Very much.” It’s an understatement. As far as I’m concerned, that job could be the key that eventually unlocks the door to all my biggest dreams.
“Okay, then get Luca Maguire onto the active fifty-three-man roster in six weeks, through any means necessary, and the job is yours.”
My heart stops. My jaw drops. I’m so flabbergasted, I can’t speak.
“On the flip side, however,” Bellamy continues, “if Luca doesn’t make the cut, then you’ll agree I’ll never be bothered again by you and your bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, data-analyzing, wide-eyed ambition ever again. No more presentations. No more pulling me aside to give me elevator pitches. You’ll keep your head down and help your father doing whatever he keeps you busy with, and you’ll dutifully stay completely out of my way.”
I’m equal parts humiliated, infuriated, and enthralled in this moment. Yes, he’s being condescending and dismissive of me. Clearly, he doesn’t actually believe I can deliver on my end of the bet. But what he doesn’t know and I do is that nobody should ever underestimate a Parker.
“If I agree to these terms, would I have your solemn vow that Peter’s job would be mine?”
“If Luca makes the fifty-three-man roster, then yes, you have my word. As long as you agree not to blame me if things don’t work out for Luca as you’re hoping. Let’s face it, he’s a dark horse here. A real long shot. And with the extreme lack of respect he’s got for your coaching abilities—”
“No, Luca respects my coaching abilities now. Our drill session this morning completely changed his mind about me.”
Bellamy looks deeply surprised.
“It’s true,” I insist, flushing hot. “Luca told me so himself this morning. He said I’m ‘damned impressive.’”
Bellamy twists his mouth like he’s choosing his next words carefully.
“Whatever it is, just tell me,” I blurt. “No need to sugarcoat it.”
Bellamy clears his throat. “I don’t know what he told you this morning, but I was in the security room this afternoon, following up on some routine stuff with the security team. On the bank of screens, we noticed all the coaches leaving their classrooms for some reason, which got our attention. And when the players in your room started chatting, rather than sitting quietly and studying their notes like they were doing in the other rooms, we turned up the sound on your screen to see what they were talking about.”
I suddenly feel an intense sense of dread. “Did Luca say something about me to the other linebackers—something about not respecting my coaching abilities?”
Bellamy nods slowly. “I’m sorry, Chelsea. I didn’t think this news would be a surprise to you. I thought for sure Luca would have said the same things to your face as he’d said behind your back.”
I swallow hard, forcing down the bile rising in my throat. “What exactly did Luca say about my coaching abilities?”
Bellamy looks deeply uncomfortable. “He said from what he’s seen, you don’t have what it takes to make your big dreams come true. He did say he’s rooting for you, though, because, hey, everyone needs a dream. But in your case, it’s a ‘pie-in-the-sky pipe dream.’”