“What?”I questioned.
The Enforcers had tried this before.I’d given it my best shot, but I was also going through a rough time.My dad was dying, my mom had just gotten her cancer diagnosis, and I refused to allow anyone in because, in my eyes, no one understood what I was going through.Granted, things had changed now, but despite that, I am a grown ass man, I didn’t want a babysitter.
“She will be here in three weeks, and?—”
I stood up, stopping Pamela.“I’ll be damned if I am going to be babysat by some PR nightmare.Been there, done that, probably still have the fucking T-shirt.”
“Sit the fuck down!”Thompkins yelled.
I glanced at Thompkins and then sat back down in the chair and looked at Pamela.
“You will!She will be here with you until the end of the year, and if that doesn’t do it, until the end of the season.”
Every nerve in my body was on fire.What kind of bullshit was this?“What exactly do you mean by staying with me?”
“Colton, have you heard of a company by the name Image Hackers?”Pamela asked.
I shook my head.
“They are a company that focuses on repairing the image of public figures.They are excellent at what they do, and we have hired the best of the best.”
I rolled my eyes and sat back, waiting to hear what sort of garbage idea they were actually trying to force me into participating in.
“Uh-huh, go on,” I said, crossing my arms.
“I want to introduce you to Emma, your new girlfriend,” Pamela said, standing up and holding out a piece of paper for me to take.
“Fuck that!”I said, shoving the paper back at her without even looking at it and standing up.
“Colton, sit back down, NOW!”Larson yelled.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.“Not a chance!This meeting is over.You’re all welcome to sit here and dream up the next bullshit idea you think I’ll fall for, but please, only call me when it’s a decent idea.”
I flew out of the office, anger coursing through me.I was just about at the end of the hall when I heard my name and turned to see Kent following me.
“Leave me alone, Kent!”I yelled back, continuing down the hall.“I don’t want to talk.I’m not in the mood.”
I opened the doors leading to the locker rooms when I felt a hand on my shoulder.“What?”I said, whipping around.
“Colton, I think it would be best if you at least gave this solution a try,” Kent said, taking a step back and giving me some space.
“You do, do you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I’ve done everything they’ve wanted, but I’m not doing this.This is just over the top.”
“Look, I know it will be a pain in the ass to have someone at your side all the time, but honestly, this is one surefire way to get your image cleaned up.It will give you a chance to show your fans and the public the real you.Then, once it is over, you can continue to build a better image of yourself.It’s a short-term solution with a long-term promise that will pay off for you in the end.”
“How do you figure?”
“This company is excellent, and the person they have agreed to send truly is one of their best.I’d never ask this if I didn’t believe it myself, so I am asking you to reconsider.Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get them to agree to keep you here.”
“Reconsider?You are serious?”
“Yes, Colton, I’m afraid I am.I was the one who brought this idea to them.They were going to drop you immediately after last season.I had to beg them to listen.A good friend of mine runs Image Hackers, and I know her work.I trust her.It will be discreet and private.No one will know the truth except for us and those you choose to tell.”
I stood in the hallway, looking my agent square in the eyes as I considered his words.I’d trusted Kent my entire career.He’d been with me since I started playing professionally.He’d been with me when my dad kicked me out, he’d been there for me when he died, and again when my mother died and I was alone.In ways, Kent was more than an agent; he’d become family and probably one of the few people I could trust and count on.
