Page 5 of Hard to Lose

“Whoa. Have a heart,” Dekker says, which prompts a sigh from Brexton.

“That came out wrong.” Lennox gives a quick shake of her head. “The story is awesome and heartbreaking all at the same time. It’s just more maddening that Finn is getting all this feel-good PR when we all know the only reason the man took on fulfilling the kid’s wish was for the press it would bring him.”

“Typical Finn,” I say, not really wanting to think about my ex in any capacity.

Brexton’s cell phone rings and she jumps up. “I’ve got to take this,” she says. She presses a kiss to the top of our dad’s head as she walks past him on the way out.

“Twenty bucks that’s Drew calling for a lunchtime quickie,” Lennox says of Brexton’s fiancé.

“I could have lived without knowing that,” our dad mumbles.

“On that note,” Lennox says, “I might just go do the same.” Her laughter is all we hear as she waves to the camera and signs off.

“I’ll be leaving too,” Dekker says and raps the corners of her papers on the desk, “but not for a quickie.” She rises from her seat and points her cell phone at me. “I’m serious about that goal, Chase. I want to see proof of dates with two different men,” she says in her best imitation of our father.

My only response is a lift of my middle finger as she heads out of the conference room door.

“Well, that was fun. Not,” I joke, then chuckle, as I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. “How did we get so sidetracked when I had ideas and things to talk about and . . . Christ.”

“Ideas?” He looks like a gopher sticking his head up out of a hole, begging for a change in topic. “What ideas?”

I laugh and ask, “How is business going?”

“Meaning?” He sets his pen down to show I have his full attention.

“Meaning we started this operation Screw Finn Sanderson,” I say referring to the undercutting and stealing of clients from my ex, “to save Kincade Sports Management. Have we been successful? Have we made a dent in recovering more clients? How is our bottom line and future looking?”

He nods slowly. “This is a fickle business, Chase. What one client hates in the form of management, another might prefer. Every contract is a gamble. Every new client a chance to hang on a star.”

“You’re talking in your fatherly metaphors.” I laugh. “Can you just say what you mean?”

“KSM is doing better.” He lifts his eyebrows to make sure I hear him. “We’ve taken on more clients, more contracts . . . but I don’t know, kiddo, I feel like I’m stuck in the dark ages, and maybe I’m dragging down the agency with it.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

How can he think that when he built this incredible business? This place, which has anchored our family since our mom died, is past its prime.

“Finn’s the king of public stunts. He gets people talking. Maybe I’m old because I think they’re all stupid, but they do seem to reel in athletes fresh from college. They like flashy and he’s definitely flashy.”

“Umm, I’m younger than Finn, Dad. Are you telling me I’m not doing my job?”

“No. Not at all . . . but I’ve been thinking a lot about the Make A Wish thing he did too. It was great publicity for him. It put him in a great light, and he was all over social media getting praise from athletes. It’s like they all know his name now, so guess who they’re going to call when they need a new agent?”

“Our name is still known, Dad. KSM is still a desirable agency.”

“I know, but it doesn’t feel like it anymore to me. I don’t know. Maybe instead of the ridiculous goal your sisters gave you to date someone, what about guiding KSM toward using more current trends and strategies? Consider new branding with a business strategist. Have someone analyze our use of social media and tell us how we can target more efficiently. Maybe look into if we could benefit from using a PR firm. On paper, our portfolio is strong, but I don’t feel we have a presence. I want you to figure out how to make our presence stronger.” His sigh is heavy, and I hate that he suddenly feels irrelevant. Yet at the same time, my heart is full that he’d look to me to take something like this on.

I love knowing he can depend on me.

“I’m flattered you’d ask me, and I’d love to take that on. You know I’m always up for a challenge. What if I—” And just as the words pass over my lips, the thought hits me. “Oh,” I murmur, as I try to wrap my head around my unexpected idea.

“I know what that sound means.” He chuckles and lifts his eyebrows. “You have my attention.”

“What if we generate some positive press ourselves? What if we’re part of—or perhaps manufacture—a feel-good story that would give us some attention not only with potential clients, but with the sports world and public in general? As Finn’s demonstrated, a little love goes a long way these days.”

“Go on.” He nods, his lips twisted in thought as he does when he’s pondering the validity of something.

I motion to the letter. “What if I found him?”