ALL
The story
She must choose the team’s new face. The perfect captain expects her trust, and the difficult star wants to become her choice.
Prologue
Two player files wait on the table.
ADRIAN VALE Safe. Respected. Sponsor-approved.
COLE MERCER Popular. Unpredictable. One incident away from becoming the team’s next problem.
Mara folds her arms. “You have three weeks to choose the new face of this team. Choose well, and the sponsors stay. Choose badly, and this becomes your final campaign.”
The door opens.
Adrian enters first. He places his schedule beside Protagonist.
“Tell me what you need. I’ll make it work.”
Cole remains in the doorway, still wearing his practice jersey.
“I already told them I’m not doing it.”
“Then you’re off the list,” Mara says.
Cole’s eyes move to Protagonist. After a moment, he crosses the room and takes his file from the table.
“I didn’t say no to her.”
Adrian’s polite smile tightens.
Mara leaves both files in front of Protagonist.
“Good. Decide which one you want to speak to first.”
