The Casual Rule Read Online Free Page B

In that play, once the ball was thrown to home plate, the player on third retreats back toward third. The guy on second is almost at third, but has to retreat back to second. The shortstop gets the ball again and chases the player back and forth toward second base. The shortstop momentarily stops to see where the guy on third is, giving the other player enough time to get back to second safely.”
    “And that’s sexy?”
    “The back and forth, the indecisiveness. I think that’s very sexy.”
    “Some might call that being a tease.” He smirks as he pops a chunk of cheese in his distractingly perfect mouth.
    “Others might call that doing what’s best for your game.”
    “Your game? Baseball is a team sport.”
    “Agreed. The ultimate goal is scoring, but most of the excitement is getting there. You need to build that up, raise the excitement level. Titillate your readers. There’s an intimate relationship between the written word and the reader. You need to keep them interested. Why didn’t you mention anything a little outrageous? I’d love to know what was going on behind the scenes, something a little scandalous,” I ask.
    “Scandalous or Slanderous?”
    “Spicy, something your reader can sink their teeth into.”
    “It has no place in my book.”
    “I’ve always suspected there’s some juicy behind the scene stories we’ve never heard. Surely with your resources, you could delve deeper.”
    “I can assure you, Miss Conti, I’ve delved deep enough. Everything that needed to be written was in that manuscript,” he answers sternly.
    Oh, now I’m back to Miss Conti. Touched a nerve, have I?
    “Mr. Martin, readers want something fresh. You have to give them something a little salacious, something they haven’t read before. You’re going in the right direction, but you need to add an additional chapter and some rewrites. Your stories are very good, but you need more grit.”
    “Grit, Miss Conti? Is that code for gossip? I am not writing a book for gossip hungry women.”
    I don’t know if it’s the two glasses of sangria that has given me the courage to speak my mind, but I’ve had it.
    “Do you have an issue with women, Mr. Martin? You will add an additional chapter and the rewrites and they will be ready by your next deadline,” I say heatedly.
    “My issue is with you. Do you think I’m going to take orders from a wet behind the ears assistant with hardly any editing experience? You look like you’re barely out of college.”
    “I can read, Mr. Martin. And make no mistake about it; I’m damn good at what I do. I know the difference between writing that’s worth my time and writing that falls flat.” I quickly look at my watch; it only took him forty-five minutes to completely piss me off.
    “I see you got your watch fixed.” He glares at me, his eyes cold and hard.
    Shit! That smug bastard knew who I was the whole time and didn’t say a word.
    “Yes, it’s telling me it’s time to leave. I’ll pay at the front. Enjoy the rest of your meal.” You sexist jerk.
    ~o0o~
    I walk into my apartment ready to forget tonight ever happened. Allie is sitting on the couch with her feet on the coffee table, remote control in hand. She turns around when she hears me.
    “Hey, how did your first one on one with an author go?” she asks.
    “Super. I should be unemployed by morning,” I answer sarcastically, walking over to the couch and sitting next to her.
    “Why? What happened?”
    “He was an arrogant ass. I lost my cool and called him out on it. I was unprofessional. I’m sure once he gets Vivian’s ear, I’m fired.” My stomach is starting to hurt. I just royally screwed myself.
    “Vivian is not going to fire you,” she assures me.
    “You weren’t there. I let her down. No matter what my opinion is about the guy, I shouldn’t have let it affect my work.”
    “Ah, Jules, I’m sorry. Just explain to Vivian what happened. She may reprimand you, but she likes you. She won’t