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“You two should just fuck it out already. How long will you let this go on? Another thirteen years?” he asks, glaring at me.
“Not ever happening,” I tell him.
He picks up the baseball on the edge of my desk, tossing it in the air. It’s the same ball we used to play with as kids. It’s my lucky charm.
“Don’t underestimate the Calloways, little brother. Westonwillhelp her, and so will Easton. They’re called double trouble for a reason. They’ll team up with Billie. The three of them together are dangerous. They’re not who I’d want to be facing against with Josh Lustre as my partner. Pfft. He’s an idiot. I’d rather punch myself in the face than have one drink with him.” He throws the ball higher. “You’re good, Ash, but you won’t beat the Calloways. You know that, right?”
“I’ve planned for them to help her. But it’s really not about winning or losing. Just trust me. Okay?”
“I know you don’t want to work with Josh. I don’t understand, and you won’t explain it to me,” he says.
“I can’t. And don’t ask me again.” I give him a pointed look.
His face softens. “Do you think Eden would want you working with him?”
“I’m aware of the optics, and I’m okay with it. And the answer isyes. She would have approved of my decisions because she trusted me. People are already talking, and it’s great for business. We’ve been flooded with contracts since the award ceremony a week ago. This is the feud of the decade,” I confirm.
“Between who? You and Billie? Or her and Josh?”
“All of the above. Think about it: Billie Calloway’s number one enemy teams up with her shitty ex to take her down,” I tell him with a laugh.
“She’s a warrior princess. Her cult will rise up and stand behind her. If you think the Swifties are sometimes unhinged, you haven’t met a Billoway. They’re her most faithful followers. Billie can do no wrong in their eyes. They will rise against you,” he warns me.
Laughter bubbles up. “I almost forgot her little fan club was called that.”
“It’s notlittle.” Nick isn’t smiling. “I understand she’s your perfect opponent, but this is billion-dollar corporations you’re playing with. You could be adding gasoline to a social media fire that’d be much bigger than what our firm could handle. We don’t want anything to do with this PR nightmare.”
“Josh has a crisis PR team to manage that. The higher the stakes, the harder the fall. I’m actually really excited about the next quarter. I can’t wait.” I check my watch, realizing I should be at the bar right now, meeting Josh Lustre. “Shit.I gotta go.”
“Do not do this,” he says, following me to the elevator. “Your name doesn’t need to get dragged.”
“Look, I’ve made no decisions. I’m only giving Josh a fair chance. I gave Billie two. Thanks to the Blind Item that someone stupid posted about us, the games have already begun. I can’t stop this,” I explain.
“Either way, you lose,” Nick tells me. “There isn’t one scenario where you win this game.”
“You’re wrong and I can’t wait to prove it to you,” I tell him as I step into the elevator.
“You’re so stubborn. I’m not cleaning up this mess!” he says as the doors slide closed.
After a ten-minute cab ride, I arrive at the tequila bar called Agave. As soon as I enter, I see Josh sitting on a stool at the end of the bar, flirting with the cute bartender.
Her eyes meet mine, and she offers me a smile as I walk closer. “I guess this is the guy of the hour you were just chatting about?”
“That’s him. The best in the business,” Josh says, grinning and giving me a firm handshake. “Almost thought you were gonna ditch.”
“Nah, got caught up at work. You know how it is,” I tell him, knowing had I not fallen asleep and had awful fucking nightmares, I’d have been on time. “Apologies.”
“No problem at all,” he says as I sit next to him.
“What are you having, sweetheart?” the bartender asks, wiping her hands on a spare towel.
“Mmm. Surprise me.”
She leans in close. “I have a secret. It’s tequila.”
I chuckle, looking around the place that serves no other spirits. “I assumed. With salt, please.”
A minute later, a double shot of liquid gold is placed in front of me with salt and a lime on the rim. Josh is given one too.