I got this felling inside my bones. It goes electric baby... Brooke's ringtone wakes her up from a rather smoking hot dream of her and a cabana boy on a cruise ship. Blindly she fumbles around on her nightstand for the blasted thing. Before she can reach it though, the ringer goes silent. Sighing she sinks back into her pillows hoping to pick back up in her dream where she had left off at. However, before she can drift off again her ringtone starts buzzing once more. Finding it in time this go around she swipes across the screen to answer it. "Hello," her voice sounds like boots crunching on gravel. "Brooke?" Eric's voice asks through the speaker. Clearing her throat she replies, "Yes." This time sounding a bit more like herself.
"Good I was worried this was the wrong number. Did I call you at a bad time?"
Dragging herself into a sitting position Brooke rubs the remnants of sleep from her eyes. Squinting into the darkness coming through her bedroom window she yawns, "No. What time is it?"
Eric chuckles, "Its six thirty."
"P.M." She asks.
Another chuckle reverberates through the speaker, "No. It's six thirty in the morning."
Groaning rather loudly Brooke flops back on her pillows, "Why are you awake? Better yet why are you awake and calling me?"
"I need you to meet me down at the stadium this morning. After what happened with Maxine, I still haven't been able to find a new agent. Unfortunately, today is the last day to renegotiate my contract with The Braves - I didn't know who else to call."
Brooke sighs scrubbing her hand across her face several times, "What time should I be there?"
"Nine o'clock."
"All right I'll be there."
"Thanks Brooke."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
With a click she hangs up the phone. Normally Brooke would never behave so informally, even over the phone, with Eric. However, after having been out of work for weeks and relying on her meager savings account to get by Brooke had stopped caring about appearances. She has more important things to worry about. Like finding a job.
In fact, she should not be wasting her time helping Eric with his problems. She has her own situation to deal with. Then again if she can help Eric with his contract negotiations this might help get her name out there. Potentially drumming up a job offer or her own clients. It's a long shot for sure but at this point what else does she have to loose?
With little to no energy Brooke swings her legs over the side of the bed. A shower and coffee are a must if she is going to be of any use to anyone today. Choosing to start with the former Brooke quickly showers, throwing her damp hair up in a sophisticated twist allowing a few tendrils to hang loose around her face. She snatches a black pencil skirt from her dresser to pair with a bright blue blouse from her closet. A little foundation, some mascara and a touch of lip gloss rounds off her look making her more than presentable.
Next, she pops a k-cup in her off brand one cup coffee brewer. While she starts up her laptop.
By eight a.m. she is on her way out the door.
Brooke spots Eric coming through the lobby doors. Standing she smiles as he makes his way towards her. As usual his six foot three inches is covered in a tasteful ensemble; a red polo no doubt designer label and freshly pressed khakis with brown loafers you could see your own reflection in. Those alluring blue eyes of his hold their usual mirth. Which is good to see considering the last time they'd seen each other he'd been distraught and angry.
"Hello Brooke, have you been waiting long?"
Brooke shakes her head, "Only about ten minutes or so."
Smiling Eric says, "Good," gesturing in front of him, "Shall we?" Nodding Brooke falls into step beside Eric.
A door at the end of the hallway stands open which Eric proceeds to lead them into. The room is largely composed of a conference table big enough to seat twelve or more people. Every other panel on the far wall is a slender floor to ceiling window that looks out onto to the busy Atlanta traffic. All ready sitting at the table is team manager Henry Dobbs, Assistant manager Ryan Prater, The Braves owner Matt McCormick and the teams lawyer Patrick Thompson.
Eric leans across the table to shake hands with each of the men before introducing Brooke, "Gentlemen this is Brooke Graves. She's offered to fill in as my agent today seeing as I'm currently in between agents at the moment." Hands are grasped in welcome once again with the gentleman exchanging names and pleasantries with Brooke. Although, Brooke knew them all ready through reputation.
Taking a seat across from the men at the large ovular table Brooke pulls a manila folder from her bag along with her tablet, "Gentlemen once again thank you for seeing us today. I know we all want this to be as painless and quick as possible so let's cut right to it shall we?" All eyes rivet in Brooke's direction, "Eric Matthews has been a member of this league for eight years since you signed him in his junior year of college. He's earned the right to be here with his blood sweat and tears giving the best of him to help this team grow and prosper. Mr. Dobbs how many strike outs did he pitch last season?"
Mr. Dobbs arches an unruly eyebrow, "I believe it was somewhere in the twenties."
Brooke gave him a dead pan stare as she corrected him, "It was thirty five sir. While your rookie Tom Sutton only pitched twenty three."
Ryan interjects by saying, "Yes but Eric had more field time of course his numbers are going to be hire. Sutton is a hell of a pitcher. With more playing time his numbers will increase."
Brooke smiles knowing that Ryan has just handed her what she needed to help seal this negotiation in the bag, "By your observations Mr. Prater if Eric was given more playing time his numbers would increase too. Seeing as his numbers are all ready significantly higher then the rookie who sees almost as much playing time as Eric, then by your standards of prediction Eric would be the better pitcher."
Matt McCormick leans forward smiling at the quick one eighty Brooke had just pulled on his assistant manager. "All right Ms. Graves you've got our attention. What is it you and Eric want," he asks.