For the Love of the Game

09 (Elijah's POV)

I wake up the next morning to my phone ringing. I turn over in my bed and see my agent, Kirsten Danvers, calling me. I am in a world of shit.

I grab my phone and answer, "Hey, Kirsten."

"Do not 'hey' me right now. I need you to get to my office. I have been getting calls and emails all morning about you."

"It's seven in the morning, can't this wait?" I complain.

"No, get your ass here in the next hour or you're dead," she hangs up before I can say anything else.

What did I do...?

I arrive at the Mikals Sports Management building forty-five minutes later. I never liked coming to this place. It always means that something got messed up and now it needs fixing.

I check in at the front desk and make my way to the elevator. Kirsten's office is on the 32nd floor, which gives me plenty of time to freak out over what she is going to say.

The elevator finally dings and I walk out. I reach the secretaries grey and brown desk which is void of any personal items. She must be a fun person. And without looking up she tells me, "Kirsten is waiting in her office for you."

That can't be good.

Her office is made of glass walls and filled with furniture that screams 'I don't want you here.'

Kirsten scares me. Her office reflects the type of person she is. All of it has the same dark color scheme with jagged chairs.

I walk in and she is on the phone pacing back and forth with her back facing me. The smell of what must be a floral air freshener hits me, I didn't think she'd be a floral type of person. The conversation seems heated so I decide to just stand there and let her acknowledge me first.

"I don't care how many times they call you, tell them we have no comment," she seethes into the phone before hanging up.

She turns to face me.

"So you finally decided to show up." Her face is set in a glare.

"I thought I was on time," I say, confused.

"I don't care what you thought. Obviously, you have a problem with your head. Why did you think saying you were engaged last night was a good idea? Do you know how many calls I've had to deal with?" She rants.

"I didn't-"

"Shhh. Harvey is on his way up right now so we can try and fix this, I don't want to hear your voice again until we ask you something," she cuts me off.

Just then, her office door opens, and Harvey walks in.

"Being your publicist used to be easy. Your image was being the hot, new, bachelor baseball player. And now we have this." He immediately says, moving his hands to exaggerate every word.

Kirsten jumps in, "We both know you aren't engaged, so why don't you tell us what actually happened."

Harvey, dressed in one of his fancy suits, goes to sit down on one of the uncomfortable chairs, and I do the same.

"I was just trying to help Keelin. Those reporters swarmed her, so I brought their attention to me."

"Well, your 'engagement stunt' has gotten a lot of attention, so I'll give you that. There have been four articles already published." Harvey explains.

"Are you talking about Keelin Rivers?" Kirsten asks.

"Yeah."

"The Keelin Rivers who's been accused of having a drinking problem? How do you even know her?" she continues.

"I guess, I didn't know about that. I met her at physical therapy."

"Harvey, how can we fix this? He's already out on injury and now a stunt like this. The Cubs don't want this type of attention." Kirsten states, ignoring what I said.

"I disagree. I think this creates a perfect opportunity." Harvey says, growing excited.

I just sit there and let the two of them keep talking. Whatever they decide I'll have to do anyway.

"I don't understand," Kirsten replies.

"Think about it. From what I understand, Keelin is injured and has publicity issues. She needs positive attention to bring her back into the public eye. Her team needs it too. This could be perfect." He explains again using his hands to emphasize his words.

"I see where you're going with this. I need to find her agent." Kirsten immediately starts calling someone.

I turn to Harvey, "I'm confused. What are you talking about?"

"If everything works out. You really will be engaged."

Two hours have passed and the idea still sounds crazy. I haven't stopped picking at the skin around my nails.

Harvey wants me to pretend the engagement is real. My breathing hasn't been normal since he uttered the word 'engaged'.

This was just supposed to be a little thing...and now.

I can't even.

Keelin was just starting to open up to me. She will never speak to me again when she hears what Kirsten and Harvey want us to do.

How long would this even go on for? They can't expect me to have a fake marriage too.

Keelin barely talks to me now, what would a rushed marriage do to us?

I understand trying to keep my popularity up but there is no way I need good publicity this much.

"I got a hold of her agent; he's going to contact her and get back to us soon." Kirsten finally speaks out to the room.

"I don't think this is a good idea. I mean I think Keelin is a good person, but faking an engagement is insane. What is my sister going to say? What will Keelin say?" I try to reason with them my voice growing panicky.

I'm sure Keelin has family of her own that care about her. There's no way a spontaneous engagement goes over well.

"In all honesty kid, you brought this on yourself. The media thinks their bachelor baseball player is off the market." Harvey explains.

"I haven't known her that long, but I know there is no way Keelin will agree to this." I try to give my input one last time. My finger starts to bleed from my constant picking at the skin.

The room is silent.

"She doesn't have a choice." That is all Kirsten says.

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Sorry for the short chapter guys. I just wanted to share this scene and thought it would be best to keep this chapter as just that.

I also haven't been updating as often because of school but winter break is coming so I will get some more chapters up soon!!

As always leave comments for any feedback and please vote!