Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Ralph!” she shouts, and I turn to look at her. “It’s time.”
Chapter 13
Candace
I watch him turn and walk into the store, but I stop to say something to Becca before walking into the store. Becca motions with her head to follow her, and I walk behind her into the cool store. Two tables are set up in the back of the store, and Manning and Ralph are already sitting down signing things. “Is it just the two of them?” I ask Becca, looking around at all the memorabilia they have.
“No, I have two more clients coming in two hours, but they do football, so we thought it would be easier to break it up as hockey and then football,” she says, looking around. I take out my phone and snap a candid picture of Ralph signing a jersey and then smiling at the owner.
“He should post that he is here on his Instagram,” I suggest. “Excuse me.”
I walk over to the table as he finishes with the owner, and then he looks at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say, getting close to him. “Where is your phone?”
“In my pocket,” he says, taking it out and looking at Manning, who just shakes his head and looks away. “Why?”
“I want you to go on Instagram and do a story,” I say. He just looks at me, and I hear Manning start to snicker next to him. “You don’t make me take out my phone.” Manning puts both of his hands up. I grab my phone and show Ralph the steps, and he looks at me like a deer in headlights.
“I don’t know what to say,” he says, looking around and then reaching for his bottle of water that they placed on the table next to the Sharpies.
“All you have to say is ‘hey everyone, come down and see me today at blank, blank, blank,’” I suggest.
“That’s weird, no?” he asks.
“You posted a selfie of your eyeball,” I say.
“That wasn’t a selfie. It was an I got my eye on you,” he says, and I roll my lips and try not to laugh. “Okay, fine, it wasn’t good.”
I take his phone from him. “I’ll record you. All I need you to do is tell them where you are.”
Manning pushes away from the table, and I look at him. “I do not want to be on social media,” he says, and I look up at the ceiling. It takes Ralph seven tries before I can post it, and when I finally do, the owner lets us know they are letting people in.
“I’m going to keep your phone and post pictures during the event,” I say.
“Miranda says she’s going to call me if she needs me,” he says, and I just smile at him.
“I’ll come and get you if she calls,” I say. The heat of his shoulder shoots through me when I place my hand on it. I wish him luck as I walk away to the side where I can take some pictures but still be out of the way.
“I have to tell you . . .” Becca comes to stand beside me, and I look at her. The woman screams business, she also screams don’t fuck with me, or I’ll tie your balls in a bowtie and make you wear them.
“This sounds serious.” I try to make the situation lighter and to let my heart calm down. As I look from her to Ralph, who smiles with the fans and chats with them.
“It is,” she says as fans walk into the store. “I was about to call in a favor.” She starts to talk as we move to the side out of the way. “He needs your help. I have two amazing deals waiting for him, but the sponsors are afraid to take that step with him.”
“Because he’s practically an unknown,” I say, and she nods her head. “His fan base is solid,” I say. “I checked the fan boards last night.”
“He got a shitload of press when Cassie died, but he refused to give any interviews.” Her voice trails off.
“Which is normal,” I say, my voice going just a touch louder. Becca looks at me and cocks her head to the side. Her eyes watch me. “I mean, come on, his wife just died, and he was a new dad.”
“Girlfriend,” Becca corrects me. “Regardless of her title. He refused to do anything with it.” She looks at Ralph, who is laughing with a couple of teenage boys as he signs pictures and then stands to pose for a picture. “He still refuses to do half the things I suggest.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“So why don’t you stop suggesting things you know he won’t do and bring him things that he will?” Her eyebrows raise. “I don’t mean to sound like a bitch or step on your toes.”