I frowned at the question. "Well, no, but my job allows me to earn the things I want."
He faced me on the narrow trail. "You want to earn things, not have them given to you, right?"
"Yes." I planted my hands on my hips.
"Then, you'll understand how I want to win the title fight on my own. I am going to earn that title without anyone paying for my gym time or giving me free shoes or putting their names on my shorts," Fenton said.
"Just because you sign off on an endorsement doesn't mean you aren't succeeding on your own," I said. "You are the talent; you are the only one that can win the title. The endorsements just make sure you earn money as you go. If you think about it, they give you the freedom to go where you want and do what you want. You wouldn't have to fight for money."
Fenton looked over the top of my head, back towards the Vegas Strip. "That's not the way I want to do things. Besides, I might be a kid off the street, but I know if I win the title fight before I sign an endorsement deal, I'll get a bigger payday."
He turned and continued up the trail at an even faster pace. I forced my breathing to stay steady and deep as I tried to convince him. "That's exactly why you want to sign with me now. After you win the title fight, all the brand name endorsements will be after you. They are volatile and have leagues of lawyers to change the contract around. If I get you set up nicely with the vitamin supplements, then you'll have a steady base to negotiate from."
"Very sly, Ms. Allen. I thought I heard your reputation was based on upfront dealings and trust," he said.
"I am telling you the truth. I will take better care of you than some big brand name agent," I told him.
"First, tell me what you get out of the deal," Fenton said.
"I get to branch out into a new sport. I know what people call me. Just because I rep golfers and tennis players doesn't mean I can't handle your business, too."
Fenton paused on the trail and smirked down at me. "I would love for you to handle my business."
My cheeks flared red from more than exertion. "I thought we agreed this was strictly professional."
"Is it professional to evade my question?" he asked. "Do they teach you that in agent school?"
"Fine. If I sign you, then I get a bonus. I also get an office and a chance to get off the road," I said.
He did not ease up his fast pace. "And, what will you use the bonus for? Tropical vacation? Sports car?" he asked.
"The bonus will just cover the closing costs on my first home," I said.
Fenton stopped to admire the desert view. "A house? With a picket fence and everything?"
I frowned at the same view and felt him watching me from the corner of his eye. "It’s the next step. Buy a house, build equity."
"What kind of instruction manual on life did you read that in?" he asked.
"It’s what people do," I said. "I know it doesn't really fit your whole fight hard, play hard vibe, but it is what makes sense for me."
"So, instead of being out on the road, you'll be going to the same office every day. Then, you'll go home to the same house every night. Where's the fun in that?"
"Who said life was fun?" I turned around and faced the steep trail back down to the car. "I have a plan, and I'm sticking to it. I don't see anything wrong with that, no matter what you think. I'm going to work until I have security. A solid bank account, a house, and way to take care of myself. Once I have that, then I can figure out what else I want without risking everything."
Fenton followed me down the trail, moved in front of me, and held out his hand. "I get it. Why do you think I want to do everything on my own? I can't involve other people until things feel stable. Gotta be on solid ground first."
I took his hand and we both stumbled down the rocky path. We held on to each other for balance as we walked back down to the car together.
CHAPTER SIX
Fenton
It was worse after I dropped Kya at her hotel. At the
gym, there were constant reminders of my work. On the trail, there was the heart-pumping climb. In the car, there was the quiet of our impasse. Kya was convinced she needed me to get what she wanted, while I was fighting hard to get what I wanted alone.
She had made a convincing case for getting an agent before the title fight. I would need someone to take care of the details, secure the right money, and watch the contracts. Someone I trusted. And, I trusted Kya Allen. It felt strange, but not when I thought about how she hid nothing.