Page 115 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“This deal we’re getting ready to walk into is major. You will be the face of the brand for its first year,” he said, as we headed inside the building.
I remained quiet as he discussed what this could do for my career. Khalil Jefferies was football royalty and a trailblazer. When Caleb passed him my account, I was speechless the firsttime we spoke over the phone. He wanted to go over numbers and I wanted to discuss football plays. We traveled up the elevator until it stopped on the top floor. I followed behind as he approached the conference room. Once we stepped inside, I was confused on why Kindness was sitting at the table.
“Kindness?” I questioned with crowded brows.
“Hello, Mr. Allen. I’m glad you agreed to meet with me. Meet my agent, Anissa Jefferies.”
She offered me a seat, and I couldn’t contain my emotions. I didn’t know if I should step out and call Bryce or ask questions. Then it dawned on me. She said Jefferies.
“Are you two related?” I asked, waving a finger between Khalil and Anissa.
“She’s my wife, and she’s here to squeeze every penny out of your pocket,” Khalil said, and the room fell silent as I tried to figure out my next move.
“I thought Caleb controlled the Armadillos’s account,” she said.
“He is, but Mr. Allen here needed representation and Caleb’s hands are full with the New York market.”
Turning to both of us, Anissa said, “We do not discuss business or share clients. Rest assured, your confidentiality remains secure, and we follow all ethical guidelines. However, we will leave it up to you to decide, Mr. Allen and Ms. Jordan.”
“Jordan,” I questioned with a tilted head and widened eyes.
Kindness was a Jordan. What the fuck was going on? I know Bryce didn’t know this shit. He would never jeopardize his career. Well, I take it back. He was in love. Maybe she lied to him about her last name. Kindness had to be Mr. Jordan’s niece or something. They were complete opposites from what I know about Kindness.
“I trust you, Anissa,” she said, and the room turned to me.
“You are solid, Khalil. I’mma rock with you,” I said and he selected a seat next to me. Khalil smirked at his wife, and she rolled her eyes.
“Mr. Allen, you were selected to grace the cover ofThe Gridiron. My client, Kindness Jordan, holds majority ownership, and she stands in control of the product packaging. She has put together a generous offer for your likeness,” Anissa said and pushed the one-page offer across the table.
Anissa had a stone-cold expression on her face, and she meant business. Viewing the offer sheet, I whistled at the number, which was unprofessional butdamn. Khalil picked up the offer sheet, and his eyes also bulged. He looked at Anissa and she nodded over at Kindness.
“Wait . . . I have a question. Are you related to the owner?” I had to ask.
Kindness cackled, as if I told a joke. Football took care of my family, and I couldn’t sacrifice my position on the team.
“Love and Kindness, LLC, exists as a separate entity from the Texas Armadillos. Her relationship, if there is a relation, has no bearing here. This offer remains viable for the next five minutes. Afterward, it decreases by ten percent with each second. We would understand if you chose to walk away,” Anissa said.
I snapped my head backward at how forward Anissa was with her demand.
“My wife isn’t joking. Take this offer. She will dwindle this deal in half in about five minutes,” Khalil whispered in my ear.
We reviewed the offer again, and he removed a pen from his inside pocket. Viewing those zeros, I had to sign it. I had a wedding coming up, babies, Harley’s college fund, and a house that needed to be completed.
I escorted Kindness to her car, trying not to stare at her stomach. Bryce had been tight-lipped about the possible pregnancy. With Kindness being a Jordan, he might want to lookinto how she was connected to the owner. She had to be his niece or something. Kindness’spersonality was bold and loud. None of her furniture matched and I’ve caught Mia referring to her as Mother Earth several times. All she needed was a guitar and head wrap, but her spirit was gentle. Either way, she added some zeros to my account, and she overpaid me.
After our agents left, I focused on Kindness. I tried to compare my memory of Mr. Jordan to hers and I didn’t see it.
“Kindness, you’re a Jordan?” I questioned, moving to her side of the table.
“Yes, Marcus. I’m a Jordan.”
“Does Bryce know about this?” I asked.
Kindness held her stomach as tears formed in the corner of her eyes. Oh shit, he got Mr. Jordan’s niece pregnant. It’s a wrap on his football career.
“Yes. Bryce and I have no secrets,” she responded with a friendly smile.
Something wasn’t adding up. Doug Jordan wasn’t the friendliest person, but I respected him. I’d been in the workout room with him a few times and he stayed to himself. It was a relief to me because I preferred people not to be in my business.
