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“And one final thing. Most of these types of systems are front office friendly, but we’ve built a system for players, too.” He shows me what he means, using Brandon Fletcher as an example again. “Basically the system analyzes film and pulls up the exact footage players need to review to learn what they need to learn to be successful.”
I wonder if Jack is getting the same sales pitch and what he thinks of it. We already have a tool similar to this in our arsenal, but this is that system on steroids. It’s got everything, including that tool for players. We’d add it directly to their tablets, and they’d have their upcoming game analysis ready to go as soon as our last match ends.
He wraps up his demonstration, and then he takes me over to the bar for a refill. I chat with some acquaintances along the way, and at one point, he nods a greeting at a man. “Jeremy,” he says, and my head whips over as I spot him. I’ve never met him in person, but this is definitely him based on the photos the investigator sent me.
Jonah looks a lot like Jolene, so it’s not that I see Jonah in him, but I still recognize this guy as the man whose ass I’d like to kick. He exudes that sort of charm that women fall for every time but that men can spot from a mile away.
“Coach Nash,” the man says to me, and I clench my jaw as I act like I don’t know who he is. “I hear you’ve been spending some time with my kid. Well, maybe not anymore.” He holds up his hands and cringes a little as if he may have overstepped with what he just said, but it’s all an act. He’s using his kid to bait me, and that’s some bullshit.
My fingers tingle as I clench my fist. I would love nothing more than to fuck up this man’s face.
But I can’t.
If he works for this company, I want nothing to do with it. I had my reservations coming into this night, but this just confirms it.
“You must be Jeremy,” I say tightly, and Ryan looks between us.
“Oh, you two know each other?” he asks.
“I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but I’ve heard plenty about him.” I keep my gaze on Jeremy when I say the words, and I turn back to Ryan to deliver the final blow. “And if you employ people like him, I’m not sure your system is right for the Aces.”
With those words, I turn to walk away.
“Wait,” Ryan says, keeping stride with me. “What do you mean?”
“It’s complicated, but I won’t be doing business with you as long as he’s in your office.”
“Then we’ll fire him,” Ryan says, and I laugh.
“On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that he cost us a huge potential client. We designed this entire system with the Vegas Aces in mind, Coach. If you don’t want this one…I’m sure your competition would.”
“Is that a threat?” I ask. “Because you can be damn sure I won’t be bullied into partnering with anyone who does business that way.”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s not a threat. It’s facts. If you partner with us, we’re prepared to offer you exclusive use of our full system. We’d sell only pieces of it to other teams, and with the trademarks we have in place along with the copyrights on our software, it’ll be years before we have any real competition for this product.”
I sigh. “It’s a fantastic argument, Mr. Becker, and something I’ll need to consider. But I refuse to work with you if I have to see Jeremy Landry’s face in your office.” I glance around the room for Jack, and I spot him laughing with someone he seems to know. I turn back to Ryan. “It was nice meeting you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”
I beeline across the room for Jack, and he grins as he spots me approaching. “Brian, I’d like you to meet Lincoln Nash. And Coach, this is my friend Brian Fox.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, and he echoes it while we shake hands.
“He’s one of the owners for FDB Tech Corp and he’s had a huge hand in designing the SmartSports system,” Jack says. “And he just loves when people lead with the fact that his brother is the lead singer for the band Vail, so I suppose I should mention that.”
Brian glowers at Jack, and I laugh as I observe the easy friendship between them.
“Did Ryan fill you in on everything this system can do for you?” he asks.
“That he did,” I say. “And speaking of sports analytics, I have more film I need to review, so I should head out.”
“Why don’t you take one of our tablets and play around with it tonight?” Brian offers. “I know I learn better by experimenting, so I’d love for you to test it out, too. See if it’ll give you what you need in real time.”
I’m about to decline when Jack answers for me. “Sure. We’d each love to test one out.”
Brian sets us up with tablets, and we head out.
“So what did you think?” Jack asks as we head back to the office.
