I’ve only been Asher’s agent for twenty-four hours, but the season hasn’t started yet and he doesn’t have any interviews lined up.
Hell, he can’t even practice for the next three weeks due to the mild sprain he gave himself when he punched the wall.
It’s a mistake that might end up costing him…because the season starts in twenty-four fucking days.
Pressing a button on the remote, I change the channel. “Are you gonna tell me wh—”
I stop talking when I see my brother on the television. He’s dressed in a suit and standing in front of a podium.
The flash of cameras illuminates the room, and I see microphones from all the reporters sitting in the audience.
It’s evident he’s holding a press conference. Question is…why?
I get my answer when he opens his mouth.
“Thank you for coming, everyone. I know this was short notice. However, there’s something very important I’d like to discuss.” He grips the edge of the podium with his uninjured hand. “Many of you are aware that Spencer Holden was my father.”
He can’t do this. It will ruin everything he’s worked his ass off for.
But it’s clear Asher doesn’t give a fuck about any of that when he delivers his next words.
“You all knew him as a legend on the field and a smart business owner. What you don’t know…is that he was a vile piece of shit and a monster.” There are a few gasps in the audience as he continues. “He was a horrible father. He was an evil human being. He was an abuser…” He looks directly into the camera. “He was a rapist.” He clears the emotion out of his throat. “Thank you for your time.”
Typically, reporters are chomping at the bit to ask questions, but the room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Jesus Christ. I know Asher wanted to try to fix this and I appreciate him telling the world the truth…but what it will cost him isn’t worth it.
Stomach knotting, I scrub a hand down my face, preparing myself for the slew of canceled sponsorships coming my way. “His career just went up in smoke.”
“No,” Kit says, her fingers typing diligently over her phone screen. “I’m on his Twitter account right now. People are praising him. They’re calling him a hero for speaking out.”
My throat constricts and it hurts to swallow.
They’re not wrong.
Chapter 57
Kit
It’s been two weeks since Asher’s press conference, and I have been busy.
Everyone is reaching out to him on social media, telling him how brave he was to speak out and sharing their own stories. One woman even named her dog after him.
Preston was scared it would ruin his career, but the exact opposite happened.
Because the only person busier than me right now…is my husband.
Ever since becoming Asher’s agent, he’s been working nonstop on his sponsorships.
And while it’s sexy as hell to hear him barking commands and making people bend to his will…it’s equally distracting.
I’m grateful he’s taken up residence in Asher’s office for the rest of the day because I could really use some peace and quiet.
I’m typing up a response to a Twitter tag when I hear the front door open. I’m assuming it’s Preston, but Breslin calls out, “Honey, I’m home. Where are you?”
“In the kitchen.”
Her footsteps get closer before she appears. “Hey.”
“Hey.” The aroma from whatever’s in the takeout bag she’s carrying hits me like a freight train. “What is that?”
Smiling, she grabs a couple of forks from the drawer. “I picked us up some lunch. Figured you could use the break and I could use the serenity.” She winces as she takes a seat at the island and hands me a fork. “It’s like Jerry Maguire at my house right now.”
Yup. Which is exactly why I sent his ass over there.
I love Preston with all my heart and soul, but he is ruthless when he’s working on a deal.
Ruthless and loud.
Taking a well-deserved break, I close my laptop. “What are we having for lunch?”
She opens the large Styrofoam carton and my mouth waters.
“Rice and smothered burritos.”
Thank you, baby Jesus, because I am starving and that smells like heaven.
“What have you been up to?” Breslin asks as I stuff my face with some rice.
“Still busy.” I chew and swallow. “I think I’m gonna ask Juan if he wants to come work for me. Between Asher becoming an even bigger megastar and handling my other clients’ accounts, I’m averaging about four hours of sleep a night. If I’m lucky.”
Granted, I’d probably get more if I wasn’t screwing my husband most of those nights, but it’s an awesome stress reliever.
Her nose crinkles. “That’s not good. But hiring Juan sounds like a great idea.”
I shovel some more rice into my mouth. “Yeah, I hope he says yes because he’d be perfect. I just have to remind him not to date the clients.”
Breslin laughs. “Good luck with that.”
“What’s been going on with you?”
She picks at a burrito. “I’m still finishing up the paintings for the art exhibit next month. I’m almost done, though, so all that’s left after that is showing it to the world.”
I give her leg a squeeze. “You’re incredibly talented, B. You got this.”
And I’ll be there cheering her on front and center.
As usual, Breslin doesn’t accept compliments, so she changes the subject. “Any word on Becca?”
Reaching for my water bottle, I shake my head. “Nope. Preston still talks to the babysitter every day, though. I feel bad for her because she’s in nursing school and Becca just drops Jameson off at her door whenever she wants.”
Breslin frowns. “At least someone’s taking care of him.”
“Yeah.”
But if Becca wasn’t such a bitch that someone would be Preston.
Alas, that’s not going to happen.
I fork up some smothered burrito. “Sometimes I want to buy a bus and hit her with it.”
Breslin laughs until she realizes I’m not joking. “Have faith, Kit. You know how Becca is. Pretty soon she’ll burn that bridge with the babysitter and come running back to Preston so he can take care of her son. This time with no contingencies, because she’ll have no one else to depend on.”
I really hope so.
Preston’s no longer spending the nights holed up in our bedroom drinking, but I know he’s throwing himself headfirst into his new job to avoid dealing with the pain of losing Jameson.
I’m not convinced the latter is necessarily healthier.
Because you can only avoid your feelings for so long before you reach a breaking point.
I have another bite of burrito, eating my feelings. “Anyway, what else is new with you?”
She has a sip of water. “Well, not me per se, but Asher wants to open up a charity with the money the evil asshole left him. Since Preston refuses to accept it, he wants to use it to help others. He’s hoping Preston will be on board.”