Page 108 of Hard to Hold

If I’d heard what he’d said before I met Lennox, I might have believed it without question. I would have taken the rumors he gave and assumed they were true.

But I do know her. I’ve seen how hard she works, I’ve overheard her fighting for her clients on the phone, and I’ve watched her worry about their well-being. She’s had every chance to ask me to trade agencies and hasn’t.

Integrity. Classy. Passionate.

The woman is fucking everything, and the fact that Finn would smear her name only proves that he knows it too. That he’s intimidated by her. Because if he was just as talented, he’d meet her on a level playing field rather than drag her through the mud.

My fists clench as I fight not to unload this on Finn and tell him what I really think of him. Currently, he’s the one with my future in his hands and I need to heed that.

Besides, if I say something to him, doesn’t it prove him right? That she’s pulling me over to her side? And, I’ve slept with her. He’d crucify her.

“I’m serious, Rush. I have two ridiculously large offers for you right now. One comes with strings attached to your public behavior and the other one says the wilder the better.”

“I’ll take the strings, Finn,” I say, already assuming which offer has what restrictions. “I appreciate all that Cannon has offered and can understand the why behind it. You, as my agent, also have to understand why the answer is no.”

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer, Rush.”

“And this is my lifetime.” I shift on my feet. “Tell me about the Liverpool offer.”

I hear his sigh and can imagine his eye roll too. He truly believes the MLS deal is what I want. Prick. “My ass and credibility are on the line right now. I’ve given a thousand reasons why they can’t win the Premiership without you and why if they traded you, the fans would riot. I’ve promised up one side and down another that you will be a goddamn choir boy—in the clubhouse, on the field, in your personal life.”

“My personal life?”

“Yeah. That means don’t fuck any more of your teammate’s wives.”

My chuckle doesn’t hold an ounce of amusement. It’s been months, and my own agent still doesn’t fucking believe me. Lennox believed me even before I told her the truth.

She’s right. There must be trust between an agent and his client and right now, there is none.

It died the minute he looked me in the eye and believed I wasn’t a man of integrity. And I’m only realizing that now.

“As I’ve told you, I never fucked my teammate’s wife. But I’ll promise. That’s an easy one to make. And on the flip side, you figure out how to control the press and their rumors and everyone will be happy.”

“I’m fucking serious, Rush.”

“So am I,” I growl. “You made the promises. I’ll make the same to you and to the club. What’s the deal?”

“They can’t trade Seth and they won’t trade you.”

“Great. Fine. No skin off my back. Tell the fucker to keep his hands to himself and everything will be just fine.”

“But I need less hostility from you too. They demanded it. I promised it. Are we clear?”

“Yes.” Anticipation vibrates through me. “What’re the terms?”

“I sent you an email spelling everything out. They’re looking at you for the long-haul, Rush. They want you to be the face of the club. That’s why from here on out, no more bullshit. No more—”

“I already told you,” I say, the scare tactic not needed. I already almost lost the one thing I love. There’s no way I would ever risk it again. “I understand.”

“Don’t I at least get a pat on the back?” Finn asks, and I can’t tell if he’s joking or serious.

“No.”

“Jesus, cut me a break, Rush.”

“I’ll pat you on the back when the ink is dried on the contract.”

“Speaking of which, they want to do a big to-do when you sign it.”