Page 8 of Hard to Hold

“It’s not a big deal. It was nothing.”

“Chase.” Her name is a warning.

“It’s a small conference happening next month. They asked one of us to speak at it about being a female sports agent in a male-dominated industry and—”

“They asked for one of us or they asked for me specifically?”

Her silence speaks volumes, and the tears that burned earlier now well in my eyes.

“It’s not what you think,” she says. “It’s nothing to worry that pretty, little head of yours over.”

I grit my teeth at the words and at a phrase I wouldn’t have thought twice about coming from my sister yesterday but hear complete condescension today.

Was Finn right? Am I being pushed aside because my dad and sisters don’t think I can hack it? Am I just Sports Agent Barbie to be brought out and played with when no one’s really being serious?

“We talked, and Dad made a snap decision to send Brexton to it. He thought she was better suited to speak on—”

“On what? Being a female in this industry who understands what sexism feels like?” I shake my head in disbelief even though she can’t see it. “Any one of us could have stepped up and spoken with content and then some to spare.”

“And Dad sent Brex.”

“So basically, none of you have confidence that I can represent KSM and what we do properly?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“You don’t have to say it for me to know you mean it. So what else, are you on the Lennox isn’t qualified bandwagon now? Or is it the she’s unethical and sleeps with clients one?”

“What?”

“Oh, I know,” I say, now on an emotional roll. “It’s the only thing that Lennox is good for is to stand there and look pretty group.”

“What is your problem? Jesus, Lennox. Chill out.”

“Chill out?” I say in angered disbelief.

“Yeah, chill, you’re getting all worked up over shit that’s not making any sense. You knew the Bradly thing was going to cause a stir and obviously it did or else you wouldn’t have brought it up. And of course, you’re gorgeous, and that does you a million favors but what does that have to do with your job? When it comes down to it, KSM is Dad’s company. What he says goes. End of story.”

Her words are like mental whiplash meant to distract and distort, and I feel more confused than ever. But the one thing I know for sure is we’ve never called it our father’s company. It’s always been ours.

“Since when?” I laugh mockingly. “When was the last time no one spoke up against something they disagreed with in our office? We’re always speaking our minds and asserting opinions.” I sink down onto the bed, hating the sudden churning in my stomach. “Besides, what is this it’s his company bullshit? When was the last time any one of us referred to it like that?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

But it is what she meant. It is what I heard. It is how I feel.

“What about the MLS offer, huh? Did you all discuss that too? Did you all worry that I’d sleep with Cannon Garner and, by doing so, would sully the Kincade name? Is that why Dad made up some lame excuse that there was more to the offer than meets the eye?”

“We didn’t discuss it at all. Dad’s been around a lot longer than us. Has more insight. When he says there’s something shady going on, there typically is.”

“So now you all think I can’t handle myself.”

“You’re plate’s pretty full. All of ours are. If Cannon wanted you for the right reasons, then he would have persisted. One phone call asking isn’t enough to prove otherwise.”

“So, what? Everyone’s looking at Little Lenn and thinking she isn’t capable of handling more than one thing at a time?” I snort. “Is this when you pat me on the head, hand me a lollipop, and tell me to sit in the corner like a good, quiet little girl would?”

“You’re kind of being a bitch, Lenn.”

“And you’re kind of not being honest with me,” I snap as her sigh fills the line. “Does this have to do with me losing Austin Yeakle?”