“What about…”

“Closed today for unsanitary conditions.”

“Really, that’s what you come up with?”

“It’s New York, if you don’t have a food and beverage place that hasn’t closed for unsanitary conditions at least once, it’s not busy enough.”

I moved into the living room with my coffee and he followed. “Is this about the sketches? You want me to finish them?”

“That’s from two weeks ago—it’s dead. No one will want those now.”

“What?”

“I figured you knew. Troy Hartman got hit hard at last night’s game. He’s in the hospital.”

“Oh no.” I hadn’t been watching the games, but my chest ached regardless of which brother it was.

“Aren’t you guys a thing? Anyway, he’s also announced this morning that he’s stepping down to minors, effective immediately.”

“He did what? But he’s been doing so well?” I knew the truth but imagined the media would question the sudden change.

He shook his head. “It happens, I see it all the time. Anyway, those sketches are useless now since the focus was on him. I mean the focus is still on him, this is big news, but it won’t work.”

I nodded. “Actually, if there’s still a focus on him, I think maybe it might. But I need to make some changes.” I smiled to myself as a new image came to life in my head. Not just for what it could do for me…but what it would do for Troy.

Frankie took one look at my face and was all in. “Great. Send it over by tomorrow and I’ll pitch it.”

“Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot about it… and I don’t want to pitch it to Brooklyn Lines exclusively anymore. I’m not going to work for them. But they’ll have a chance to make an offer.”

Frankie studied me for a moment, then nodded appreciatively. “Highest bidder freelance kind of thing?”

I bit my lip, knowing this was a risky choice, but I wanted to keep my options open and not depend on one team to finally accept my work.

“Yep. I think I want to do some traveling, be my own boss, draw what I want, when I want to.”

Frankie bobbed thoughtfully and stared at the carpet. “When were you going to give your notice?” He’d been practically pushing me out the door since I started and now sounded like he was losing a puppy.

I shrugged. “I was thinking Friday. What do you need like two weeks?”

“What do you need?”

I inhaled deeply and bit my lip.

“You don’t really want to come back, do you?”

I shook my head. “No. But I will need a manager?”

Frankie’s brows rose. “Yes you will.”

“Can we talk tomorrow in your office? I’ll bring by the changes I’m thinking?”