Page 14 of Hard to Hold

“Los Angeles.”

Her next words come out in a screech. “You’re where?”

“LA. City of Angels. California.” The opposite coast of where you are.

“What for?” There’s judgment in my sister’s tone that I hate.

“I had a meeting with Cannon Garner with the MLS.”

“Why would you do that? I thought we talked about his offer and decided it was a bad call for the company.”

“We didn’t talk about anything, Dekk,” I say and uncover another lie that Chase told. “You guys must have talked and then you guys must have decided. I don’t believe my opinion ever factored into anything.”

“It’s not that, Lenn . . . it’s—”

“It is that. I don’t need to be coddled. I don’t need—”

“Sit back for two seconds and think about his offer. Why would the MLS call for a sports agent to work in and promote its organization? You represent athletes, not leagues. Why out of all the agents in our field did he only offer the position to you and no one else even after you said no?”

“After Dad said no,” I correct.

“Does it matter? The same question still applies.” Her frustrated sigh fills the line. “He’s singling you out for a reason. Cannon’s known for needing everyone who works for him to fit a certain mold. Add to that he has quite the reputation for not being respectful to women who work for him.”

“So now the only reason Cannon asked me to work for him is because I’m pretty? Not because I’m knowledgeable? Jesus, Dekk, if Dad told you to call and give me a pep talk, you’re definitely doing a shitty job of it.”

“C’mon. It’s talked about quietly in circles that he’s a womanizer who uses his influence and position to get what he wants out of the women he hires. Hell, ever since he met you a few years back, he’s been trying to get you to work with him in any capacity, even when it doesn’t have anything to do with your area of expertise. He obviously has a thing for you.”

I feel like I’ve been hit with whiplash. I didn’t know anything about Cannon’s reputation, but who am I to believe it after I heard the rumors being spread about me?

And while I should really step back and take the time to listen to what my sister is saying, all I hear is what she’s not saying. “So God forbid you think he’s really hiring me to do a real job, right? It’s more than obvious no one in this family thinks I’m capable of shit.”

“Quit making assumptions. Knock the chip off your shoulder and listen to what I’m saying to you.”

“The chip on my shoulder?” My voice is ice-cold as events I’m sure she has no idea about collide in my mind and piss me off.

“Lennox.” My name is a frustrated sigh on her lips. “I’m only looking out for you. The last thing I want is this prick to think he’s going to get more from you than just your professional input.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes, but then make the final turn down Johnny’s street and want to cry as his house comes into view. Thank God.

There’s something about him that always makes me feel whole again. Something that’s been there since we first met in college all those years ago.

“All I’m saying is that there’s more than meets the eye with his offer.”

“An offer you don’t know the first thing about,” I accuse.

“I don’t have to. I know Cannon is either going to try to get in your pants or he’s setting you up somehow. Like ask you to do something unethical so you take the fall and he doesn’t.”

“Wow. That’s a huge stretch you just made.”

Her silence reigns as I pull up to the sleek, modern house in front of me. It’s all straight lines and hard edges with a minimalist exterior. It’s such a contrast to the green foliage it’s hidden behind, but I know the truth. The back of the house opens up to unhindered views of the city below with not a single neighbor in sight.

“Listen, Dekk. I’m a big girl who makes the decision about who I allow in my pants. I can more than handle myself. Also, have a little faith in me. I’m not going to do anything stupid that will risk the agency’s or my reputation.

And if she mentions Bradly, I might scream. That once fun fling has now become an albatross. “Look, I need a change of scenery, a different perspective for a bit, and this MLS gig might provide just that.”

“You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?” she murmurs.

“I have.”