Page 4 of Hard to Hold

He stutters in his response as he tries to figure my change of tactics, from rude to pleasant, but I just keep smiling at him. I’m fully aware that after my sister, Dekker, stole his client, hockey god, Hunter Maddox, out from under him, other agents are probably watching this exchange and waiting for the fireworks to ignite.

“Who doesn’t?” He lifts his chin in acknowledgment to a passerby. “So, you’re off to Chicago after this?”

“For what?”

His expression falters momentarily as if caught off guard before he rights it. “Nothing. Never mind. I got things mixed up. Too many agents at this convention to keep shit straight.” He chuckles.

“If you’re mixing me up with the rest of the guys in here, you’re definitely losing your touch, Sanderson.”

“Losing my touch?” He coughs the word out. “Aren’t you the one who let Austin Yeakle slip through your fingers last week?” he asks, referring to my failed attempt to recruit the top college football draft pick. I thought I’d closed the deal only to be told an hour after I’d left his house that he’d chosen a different agent and firm to represent him.

To say it was a blow to my ego is an understatement.

“He’s one athlete amid a field of many.”

“Yes, but none of those many are going to make half of what he’ll make.”

“Do you have a point, Finn?”

He smiles. “Seems to me like you’re losing more than you’re winning these days.”

“I have a full client list and plenty of hustle left in me,” I say, taking another flute of champagne off a passing tray, thinking of the several potential clients from the Golden Knights and the Raiders I have meetings with later this week, both hometown Las Vegas teams.

“Is that why you turned down the offer from the MLS?” he asks, referring to the Major League Soccer organization, and throwing me completely off guard. My face must reflect it too. A smug smile crawls onto his lips. “Yeah, I know about the offer. Question is, why didn’t you take it?”

A myriad of reasons flicker through my head but the biggest one—the reason both my father and I decided it was best to reject the offer—still burns the brightest: why would the MLS contract me, a sports agent, to help be an ambassador to promote their upcoming season?

I’m not a celebrity or a star athlete, and I’m definitely not a marketing guru. Getting fans to engage with the sport like they do, say American football, has been an ongoing task since the league started, and I’m not exactly sure how I’m qualified to be the one to do just that.

“I have my reasons,” I say with a definitiveness I don’t feel.

“Huh.” His eyes hold mine and that mocking smile comes back. “They must want you bad considering Cannon told me they were holding the position open for you should you change your mind.”

They are? That’s news to me.

“What can I say? When you’re good, you’re good.” I shrug arrogantly.

“You’re holding out on me, Kincade. What exact skill set do you have that I can’t give him, huh? It must be something for him to hold open a position for you and only you.”

I roll my eyes at the innuendo and its implications because in typical Finn Sanderson fashion, he wants what he can’t have and hates everything about it. So much so that he’ll diminish me so he can feel better about himself and his shortcomings.

“Ask him yourself if you’re so curious.”

“Something new and different seems so exciting, though.”

“I’ve got enough excitement,” I say even though his words tug at me. “And am more than busy with my own workload.”

“Right, I forgot.” He winks at me. “You and your hustle. Dare I ask who you’re hustling after right now?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” This time I let my laugh float freely and notice heads turn our way without them hiding it. “Why? Are you in need of some clients? Has your charm run out and now you need to steal from my playbook?”

“Steal?” He laughs. “I do believe that’s from the Kincade playbook. The name Hunter Maddox ring a bell?”

“Considering he’s engaged to my sister, I don’t think you can blame the man for wanting to be represented by our agency . . . since he’s soon to be family and all.”

“So is that the KSM master plan? Have the four of you reel men in with love then sign them to the agency? Steal them away from another agent?”

Prick.