CHAPTER 8

“Lance is ‘a once in a lifetime’ type of client…” Annalise replied nodding. “Elaine, my boss, is trusting me to snatch this contract from our competition.”

          She put down her slice of pizza and faced John.

“John, you have known me since we were in high school. You know how determined I am when I’m after something important. So, please, don’t get me wrong. I’ll get Hamilton with or without you, but let’s just say that having you in my corner is going to be the nail in his coffin. Moreover, it would be huge for you also. Lance Hamilton will pay a lot to have you be the spokesman for his brand.”

          John looked at her, then shook his head, and sighed.

“You know something? I think your mother is absolutely right.”

“Absolutely right about what, John? You should be more specific since my mother has a lot of opinions regarding my life. Many of them not requested,” Annalise countered in a sarcastic tone.

“You should quit this job, Anna. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Not to Hamilton, not to your boss. I mean, you’re one hell of a woman: smart, beautiful, witty… You don’t have to live for your work only. You should go out more, find someone ready to provide for your every need before you’re thirty…” John said and took a deep breath.  

“Well,” she said, smiling faintly, “I still have time. I’m almost twenty-eight.”

          He shot Annalise an impatient look.

“Come on, babe. You know what I mean…”

            ‘Oh, God… Not the marriage subject again…’ Annalise thought and lowered her gaze. ‘Please, John, don’t ask me to marry you… again… Don’t do this to me. Not now…’

“John, please, stop…”

“Anna, I can take care of you. I make a lot of money. I can support you financially. This way, you won’t have to work ever again… Just stay at home, maybe go out shopping all day… You know, do whatever women do... Besides, it would make your mom happy if you didn’t have such a stressful job. Or a job at all.”

          Annalise shook her head. Those were Martha Walsh’s words, not John’s. Every single one of them.

          ‘You should get married.’

          ‘You should quit your job.’

          ‘You should let me take care of you.’

          But she wasn’t interested in getting married… not now anyway. These days, Annalise was trying to get her career on track… again and for good, this time. Working for Lance Hamilton was the most important step in that direction. And having John in her corner, having him represent the “HL Sportswear” image around the world, would seal the deal.  

“I see…” Annalise said after a long pause. “John, I have to ask you something and I need to hear some answers in your own words… not my mother’s.”

“Okay. Shoot!”

“Would you quit playing if people tell you that you don’t need to prove anymore how good you are to the entire world? Would you quit soccer if the woman you love with all your heart is asking you to choose between her and the sport that made you famous? Would you quit while you feel deep in your soul you still have so much to do and to achieve?”

          A sarcastic, strangling sound rose from his throat. He licked his lips as if to rid himself of a really bad taste.

“Anna, this is different…”

“I know, I know. You’re Tarzan, and I’m Jane. You’re a man, and I’m a woman. You’re strong and I’m weak.”

          Her lips curled in disgust.

“I never thought I’d say this, but your words disappointed me a lot. Since we go way back, I expected more support from you. Moral support,” she emphasized the last words.

“This is why I proposed…” John replied a bit upset.

“John, for the umpteenth time, I will not marry you. I can’t. So stop with this madness. I don’t love you, not like you want me to.”

“But I do…”

“You love me like a brother… Come on, John! We’ve been on this road before and we decided we function better as best friends, not as lovers.”

          John huffed, shook his head but didn’t counter her words. Then his expression grew thoughtful again.

“Very well, baby girl. Let’s leave this subject… for now. Back to Lance Hamilton and his brand… I assume you’ve done the most thorough research on the guy and everything regarding him.”

          Annalise nodded before he’d even finished.

“And you still remember how much I hate this shit, right?”

          She nodded again.

“Okay… Just checking,” he added.

          His adversity towards any kind of advertising was well known to everybody. Yes, on the surface, John looked extremely laid back, posing like the sports celebrity he was, going around with beautiful women and driving nice, fast cars.

          John Beckett was America’s 'Golden Boy'.

          But Annalise knew him better than anyone. Beneath that illusion, there was a different John Beckett. Behind that mask, there was a man who had a deep social conscience. He had a mind of his own and an iron will, both of them among his greatest qualities.

          His refusal of endorsement deals had gained him a reputation of eccentricity from some. Others regarded him incredulously as a fool to pass on the opportunity to make billions by doing nothing more than lend his name to countless companies and brands willing to cover him in gold in exchange for his endorsement.

          But the simple fact was that John did meticulous research on all the corporations that approached him, and so far, none of them had passed his test. Until now, when Annalise talked to him about “HL Sportswear”.

“Alright, babe. Send me all the details and let me have a look. Still, I make no promises. If it checks every box on my list, I will come to meet him and listen to his offer.”

“Thanks, John! You are simply the best!”   

“I don’t suppose that after this I could lure you into coming to see me playing the whole season? Maybe be part of our traveling supporters? As my lucky charm?” John asked grinning like the big bad wolf.

          Annalise exhaled and picked up her slice of pizza again.

“You don’t need a lucky charm, Mr. MVP.”

“Oh, come on… Just a few games…”

“I would love to come, but as you just noticed, I do not have all that free time… Besides, these weeks are quite important since I’m preparing the most important pitch of my career,” she replied.

“Weren’t you Wonder Woman?”

“I never said that! Still, let’s see… Coming to the stadium and watching a bunch of angry boys chasing a ball for ninety minutes plus overtime or staying here working on my most important project… What do you think I will choose?” Annalise replied smiling sweetly. 

“Damn, girl!” John exclaimed and winced. “You are a mean one!” he added and raised his hands in a defensive move.

“It sounded quite mean, doesn’t it?”

“Just a little…”

“Okay, I’ll try to be there, if this means so much to you, but I’m not making promises. It was so much fun when Bran and Jer were there, with me…”

“Maybe you could invite them both.”

“Bran is busy with his job and with Alicia. And Jer… Well, since he entered the political rollercoaster, he’s more than often missing in action. He doesn’t even answer my calls. Not all of them. So, coming all by myself is not all that fabulous…”

          She looked straight into his eyes and raised an eyebrow.

“Still, since we’re on the topic… I might need one more little favor from you.”

          John grinned and raised an eyebrow.

“Another favor… Really? And what’s in it for me?”

“Well, next weekend I’ll come to see you play,” she replied.

          He got a hopeful puppy dog look that would probably make mush of most women. Thankfully, Annalise was his best friend and completely immune to any adorableness on his part.

“But you just said…”

“I said I hate coming to the games alone,” Annalise continued his phrase. “Only I’m not going to be alone this time… I will bring along Lance Hamilton.”

“Hamilton…” he muttered.

“Listen, all I need are two of the best field-level seats for the next game and a meet and greet after the game. This way you two will exchange a few words about the brand and so on…”

“Anyone ever tells you how damn expensive you are?”  

            She laughed and punched him in the arm.

“John, I said filed-level seats, not box seats, and… Hey, wait a second. A few moments ago, you were trying to convince me to quit my job so you could support me.”

          His expression went from teasing to serious with one blink.

 “I know how tough you are, but I can’t help it. I just worry about you, Anna. That’s all. So, keep your eyes wide open, sweetie. What happened in San Francisco was…”

          Annalise stiffened and held her hand, halting him in mid-sentence.

“Right now, I don’t want to talk about San Francisco…”

“But, Anna…”

“John, this subject is off limits… So, drop it, please.”

            He nodded and Annalise saw regret in his eyes.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. Consider it dropped.”

            She waited for her heart to stop beating so fast, and then Annalise forced a smile.

“So, mister, will you take a look at the research I have compiled for you?”

“Do I have a say in this?” he asked.

“None whatsoever!” Annalise replied enthusiastically. “Oh, John… You will like Lance Hamilton a lot, trust me on this! He’s a brilliant businessman, with such an interesting vision about sport… And all his employees love him. He has a fantastic health insurance plan. All his products are made in the States, he’s not shipping jobs or production overseas. What else can I tell you about him…? Oh, yes… He is a regular contributor to a half dozen charities and…”

“Okay, okay… He is perfect! The guy is a real saint… I get it…” John exclaimed and held up his hands in surrender. “How do other men ever measure up?”

“Oh, cut the sarcasm, will you?”

          John smiled looking at her expression, then checked his wristwatch and let out a sigh.

“Sorry to break this up so early, especially since I haven’t finished the pizza… Somebody talked too much. Very distracting.”

          Annalise rolled her eyes.

“And you loved every second.”

“Yes, I did, but I have to go home and rest a few hours before flying to Georgia. Remember to send everything you have on Lance Hamilton. I will take a look on my way back to Los Angeles.”

“Thanks!” she said happily.

“I’m not making any promises, though… Oh, and the tickets will be waiting for you at the box office.”

“You are unbelievable, John,” Annalise told him affectionately. “I’m glad you’re still a huge part of my life.”

“Me too, babe.”

          He dropped a kiss on top of her head then got up from the couch and stretched lazily.

“I will give you a call when I’m through reading everything.”