A Complete Game (Washington DC Soaring Eagles #3) - Aven Ellis Page 0,4

I have a willy like that,” I blurt out.

Brady’s mouth curves up a little bit more. Apparently, he’s amused by my verbal meltdown.

“You have a willy of another variety?”

I see Elisa furrow her penciled-in eyebrows together to form a sharp V on her forehead.

Yikes. I should resign right now. Everyone within ten feet of me thinks I’m babbling about penises when I’m talking about a ferret, and with one of the celebrity stars of the calendar, and crap, this is even worse when I think it through.

“No, my ferret is named Willy,” I blurt out at last. “I think he’d be perfect for you to hold in the photo shoot.”

Brady’s expression of amusement at my verbal escapade into the abyss is replaced by interest. His eyes widen as soon as he hears the word “ferret” pass my lips.

“You have a ferret?” he asks.

I nod. “I have two. Ferrets end up in our shelters, too. They’re such incredible creatures. Nobody knows how super smart they are. Funny. Mischievous. They aren’t for everyone, but you can say that about any pet. It takes a special person to give a ferret a forever home, but they are wonderful, loving pets for the right person. They deserve a spot in the calendar.”

“Addison is our resident Crazy Ferret Lady,” Elisa jokes.

I bite my tongue. I’m not crazy because I love ferrets, and I hate when Elisa says that. I simply happen to be a person who appreciates—and celebrates—the wonderful and unique animals they are.

“Why is her passion for ferrets any different than what one would have for dogs?” Brady asks.

Elisa turns pink. “Um, no, of course not, I was just teasing Addison.”

Right.

“Can I pose with your ferret?” Brady asks, turning his gaze back toward me.

“Of course,” I say, excited to get the ferret community some love in this calendar. “I do have to go home and get him and bring him back—that will take me about forty minutes.”

Elisa frowns. “But we’re on a tight schedule. Brady is supposed to go first.”

I frown as the schedule appears at the forefront of my mind. I know each player is designated for a specific time.

Brady’s eyes intently study my face. Then he quickly turns back to Elisa. “Can you swap me out with someone when Addison gets back? Or make me the last person of the day?”

Elisa’s eyebrow V is reaching proportions of the one favored by the Count from Sesame Street.

“Um … I don’t know. We can’t go into overtime,” she says, clearly torn about having a tight budget and wanting to make the celebrity volunteer happy.

“What if,” Brady says slowly, “I pay any extra overtime incurred by the photographer for having to stay for me?”

“Brady, no, that’s not necessary,” I gasp, not wanting him to pay out of pocket so that he can do a picture with Willy.

He meets my eyes with his. “Consider it a contribution to Feathers to Paws.”

“No, no, we can’t ask you to do that,” I say, putting out my hand in a stop motion.

“You’re not asking me. I’m telling you what I want to do to make sure a ferret is featured. It’s important to me.”

My heart leaps as his eyes lock with mine. Brady is not going to let this go. I can see it in the intensity of his gaze, and the fact that he’s doing this for ferrets makes me appreciate him more than he could know.

“So, are we good?” he asks, turning back to Elisa.

“Let me check with the photographer and stadium rep,” she says, blinking rapidly, as her perfectly planned photo shoot is now thrown out of kilter. “I’ll be right back.”

As soon as she is out of earshot, I address Brady. “I can’t thank you enough for fighting for the ferrets.” He shifts his gaze back to me. I look up at him, once again losing myself in his handsome face, which appears thoughtful at the moment.

“I know what it’s like to be overlooked,” he says quietly. “If I can help ferrets, I will.”

I take in his words, knowing he has revealed something personal to me.

“I’m so grateful for your support,” I say. “Ferrets are amazing. Willy and Petey have always been there for me. They can sense when I’m down or sad, and they are right there, wanting to sit on my chest and snuggle. They don’t judge. They love and accept. And people know this about dogs and cats, but I want people to know how incredible these animals are. Thank you for