Page 7 of Out of Bounds

She soon found out that BobbiJo was sleeping with her father—right under her dying mother’s nose. Sixteen months after ShariLou’s death, Medusa, as Felicity had started referring to her stepmother, married Big D, sending Felicity’s whole word into a tailspin.

Ignoring her jab at him, Big D turned to Dalton. “I trust your judgment, son. When does that new guy show up?”

It was all Felicity could do not to roll her eyes. Big D acted like Dalton walked on water, even though she worked just as hard as he did. Harder even, since none of this was being handed to her like it was him. She was the one who had stuck by Southland Holdings, working her ass off every day in multiple different departments over the years while Dalton had just picked up and left after a falling-out with their dad.

“Not until this summer. He has to finish his season over with Hamburg.”

“I’m still not sure Beau Blackwood is that good of an idea,” she interjected. “He’s old, his stats are mediocre, and he has a rep for not being a team player. Add in that drama with his wife he just went through, he’ll be a PR nightmare!”

“He’s thirty-six—that’s not that old. His stats are mediocre in the Bundesliga but are still damn good for here in the states. He played with Cowboy for the Men’s National Team, and he says that Beau’s attitude isn’t as much of a problem as it’s portrayed to be.”

“In professional sports, thirty-six is old. You said that you wanted the strategy to be young, fresh players who you can develop. That is not Beau Blackwood.”

“Look at you takin’ an interest in the sport,” Big D said.

“I have an interest in the business,” she clarified. “I want to run this team.”

“Why would you want to do that?” BobbiJo asked, her face scrunched like she’d eaten something sour.

“Because some of us want more out of life than to be a trophy wife,” she snarked in return. “I am just as qualified as anyone else at Southland. More so, because I’m a Sutherland!”

“I told you, I haven’t made any decisions about the role,” Dalton said. “Let’s just get through training camp.”

The rest of dinner seemed to crawl, with long stretches of awkward silence broken up by different monologues by Lulu about whatever it was she was studying in school or some TikTok dance that was all the rage. When everyone had finally finished eating, they silently started to go their separate ways, everyone still tense from the earlier conversation. Making her way to the door, she felt a hand on her elbow, turning to see her brother silently nod toward the library.

“What, Tripp? I want to go home,” she said, as he closed the pocket door behind him.

“Thank you for your help with Talia today.”

“That’s what you pulled me in here for? To thank me? Seriously, Tripp?”

“No, not just that,” he sighed. “I know you’re interested in the president role. You’ve made that perfectly clear.”

“As have you that you’re not interested in giving it to me.”

“I never said that. I have a lot to figure out right now, and the Rising is only part of it.”

“Then let me take over the team and you can work on the rest of it.”

“It’s not that easy. You’re not the only person interested in it. I have to make sure I do this fairly and the best person for the job gets it.”

“Oh, right, because that’s how it’s always done. Making sure the most qualified person for the role is given it.” She could feel the heat rise up the back of her neck as her pulse rushed through her. “Because you were totally the most qualified person to take over as CEO when Big D stepped down after spending the last three years being a boat captain!”

“I was first mate.”

“Only proving my point more.”

“I didn’t ask to be handed this. You know that. And I know that you have been working your ass off here. But there are a lot of extra eyes on me because I’m the new guy.”

“You cannot seriously be thinking of giving president of the Rising to Jonah!” she whisper-shouted.

“Not if I can help it!” he returned.

“I have earned that job, Tripp!”

“Flick, I’m going to be completely transparent with you here. As long as Big D is around, I plan on staying on as the acting president of the team. But, that said, his latest scans aren’t great. Nothing has gotten any worse, but nothing has gotten better either. Not that he plans on telling anyone that. I am going to be forced into making a decision here sooner rather than later. Just keep your head in the game and your attitude in check and it’ll be an easy choice.”

“What do you mean keep my attitude in check?”