On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(57)
My feelings for Gabby are deep. I mean, really, really deep. Part of me wonders how it happened so fast, but part of me wonders why it took so long. There was something between us five years ago, something I stupidly froze out. She’s been my friend for most of my life. This may, in fact, be the slowest buildup of a relationship in the history of the universe.
I hear banging on the front door of the bar, which is still locked, as we haven’t opened back up yet for the lunch hour. That will come week after next, when the roof is completely finished.
Setting my pen down on the bar with the inventory sheets, I head toward the door as I dig my keys out of my pocket to unlock the internal deadbolt.
When I swing it open, I’m stunned to see my agent, Keith Carr, standing there. Pulling his sunglasses off, he flashes me a Hollywood smile and holds his hand out. “Good to see you, Hunter.”
I reach out to shake his hand. “Yeah, Keith. Good to see you, too. What are you doing here?”
Keith tilts his head and gives me a disapproving look. “Come on, man. You’re stalling and dodging me. You seriously think I wouldn’t get on a plane and fly my ass to the east coast to talk to you?”
I step back from the doorway and motion Keith inside. When it boils down to it, I guess I’m not really surprised he’s here. He’s been pushing me with repetitive calls and emails to accept the new endorsement deals on the table, which will effectively enter me back into the Tour race for the following year. I’ve been thinking it over, but I haven’t been ready to commit.
“Come on in. I was just doing some inventory.”
Keith follows me to the back bar, and I motion for him to take a seat on one of the stools. There’s no one in here but Brody, and I could care less if Brody hears this conversation. After I settle myself on a stool next to Keith, I say, “Brody… I want you to meet my agent, Keith Carr. Keith… my brother, Brody.”
Brody turns and leans across the bar to shake Keith’s hand, never saying a word, but at least giving him something less than a glare.
“I sort of figured this was Brody,” Keith says with a laugh. “I mean… you two are identical.”
“Can I get you something to drink?” Brody asks, taking a swipe at the clean bar top with his rag.
“Nah… I’m good,” Keith says affably, and then turns to me. “So… Hunter, this place looks great. Everything going well?”
“Yeah… going great. Almost finished with some remodels to give me some expanded seating,” I tell him as I point to the back glass door to Gabby’s crew, who are hard at work.
Keith nods, gives the back door a glance, and then turns back to me. “Have you given any more thought to the endorsement offers?”
“I have. Just like I told you on the phone… and by email. I’m thinking about it, but I’m not sure what to do.”
“You know these offers won’t last forever,” Keith points out. “If you don’t make a decision, they’ll go on to the next hot surfer and make the same offers.”
“I know,” I snap, frustrated with the way he’s hounding me but equally frustrated I have no clue what to do. “I didn’t fall off the turnip truck. I’ve been in this game long enough to know how the game is played.”
Keith holds his hands up. “Easy, dude. You know I’m just doing my job… looking out for you.”
“You’re looking out for your commission, Keith… at least be honest about it.”
Narrowing his gaze at me, Keith leans in and practically snarls, “Yeah… you take these deals, I’m going to make a lot of f*cking money, but don’t ever think I’m not looking out for you, Hunter. You screwed the pooch when you walked away at the top of your game, and if you have even the slightest desire to get back on the Tour, you need me to help you do it.”
Letting out a sigh, I nod. “I’m sorry, man. And I know you have my back. You always have. I just don’t know right now… I have a lot of shit on my plate,” I say as I look down the bar at Brody. “How much time can you buy me?”
“A week… maybe two.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, running my hand through my hair, because I’m not ready to make this decision.
“Look, man. Let’s talk this through. What are your concerns? You know I’m your sounding board,” Keith says sincerely, and it’s true. He’s been representing me since the first endorsement deal came to my parents when I was just seventeen. Keith has been a good friend and a trusted advisor.
“Yeah… we need to talk,” I tell him, casting my gaze down to Brody again. I left the Tour to come home for Brody, but now I’m not sure that was the best idea. Of course, now I’m saddled with a business I bought, and I just can’t walk away from that, either. I would need someone who I could trust to take it over, and Brody made clear to me that he didn’t want a partnership. “Let’s go take a ride down the coast, but first, I want you to meet someone.”
Keith gives me a smile and then follows me when I head out on the back deck. As soon as I open the door, Gabby’s curses hit my ears. “Fuck, Smitty. I told you to move the scrap out to the parking lot. I almost just broke my f*cking neck tripping over it.”
I grin as I walk toward her, loving the fierce way she stands with her hands on her hips, glaring at Smitty, who is a beast of a man. He just hangs his head in shame and says, “Sorry, Gabby. Got sidetracked.”