“Drill ’Em Hard Construction?” he asked, wondering what the actual fuck was happening. For nearly a decade in the NHL, his name had been Drill ’Em Hard Decker. The last thing he wanted was to go back to being that guy. “When did that happen?”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it.”
He pulled a ball cap out of his jacket pocket and handed it over.
It was a blue cap withDrill’Em Hard Construction,stitched into the front. It was stiff and uncomfortable—kind of like how he felt right then.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“It’s brilliant idea. The new branding guy says this is just what we need. A new identity. The new face of the company.”
Wasn’t that the same “face” his brother had just accused of ruining the company?
“I think it’s a shit idea.” Because it meant that all Brian thought Decker brought to the table was his fame—not his hard work.
“Too late. The new website, marketing swag and everything is already done.”
“That’s a shit way to handle business. I’m your partner,” Decker said.
“Then prove it.”
Decker wasn’t a kiss-and-tell kind of guy, but the women he dated seemed to be. Hell, his ex-fiancée, Cami, sold their breakup story to the tabloids last year for a million bucks. The reminder was still like a punch to the gut. Not that he wasn’t over her—he was—but because it brought back all the anger that came with being used for his glory and wealth.
“I’ll call Castle and fix this, but next time we both get a say in major decisions that affect our company.”
“Touché.” Brian laughed, but there was no humor behind it. “And how would the talk with Castle go? ‘Sorry I filmed aporno with your only daughter, but I can’t talk about the night in question. Now can we get back to business?’ Hell, for all we know, he thinks you leaked it.”
“Why the hell would he think that?”
“Because what kind of father is going to believe his own daughter would?”
“I’ll call Holly and see what’s going on.”
Brian let out a long, strained sigh. “I’ll handle Stan. You focus on repairing your reputation.”
“And how should I do that? You know that if I say one word to the press besides ‘No comment,’ it will only add more fuel to the fire. Our best play is to keep quiet.”
“Fine. Then I have an alternative solution. Find a way to lay low and let this blow over.”
A sick feeling started in Decker’s gut. “Is this your way of telling me you don’t want me to be a part of Dad’s legacy?”
Brian didn’t have to say a word; his expression said it all. His brother adhered to a one-strike-and-you’re-out philosophy. Second chances weren’t built into his DNA.
The day their dad had a life-altering stroke, it was as if Decker had lost two of the most important people in his world: his dad and his brother. Brian hadn’t hesitated to step up to care for Dad, and he’d never let Decker forget it. Even though Decker had sent home money that paid for all their dad’s care and medical needs. A lot of money. Which was why it was so important to salvage this deal.
He went into business with his brother to fix their relationship and grow their company from a seven-figure outfit to an eight, so he’d be damned if he let one bad decision ruin what was left of their brotherly bond.
“No. This is my way of telling you that you need to man up and do whatever it takes to pull your weight,” Brian said, as if Decker’s name hadn’t landed them the contract in the first place.
“It sounds like you have a strong opinion on how I should live my life, so go ahead and let me know what you’re thinking.”
“You can reconsider that project your agent came to you with.”
Decker blinked. “You want me to fix my public persona by going on a television show?”
Last month his agent approached him with an offer to co-host a fixer-upper show. He’d quickly declined. The last thing he wanted to do was be on television. He’d had enough press to last a lifetime.
“It’s the perfect place for you to disappear. The show films for six weeks. You’ll be on the property for the entirety, so the press can’t get to you. You can show America you’re not that guy anymore.”
