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Vanessa
She couldn’t be serious. Why was Grammy tracking down my brother? Why did it suddenly matter where he was?
I pressed the button on the intercom and called Candy.
“Can you come in here please?”
I was wrapped in a cloud of my grandmother’s perfume.
“Sure.”
Two seconds later, Candy walked in. “Everything ok?” she asked.
“Not really.” I wasn’t going to drag her into the family saga. “I need to have a meeting with Charlie Maine, but not here.”
“Ok?” She looked confused. She tucked the ends of her short hair behind her ear.
“Could you set up a meeting for us away from the office? Maybe downtown?”
“Downtown?”
“Yes, downtown. Somewhere where there is music. There are tons of those places on Sixth Street, right? No sports bars,” I instructed. It was important we weren’t seen in the regular Warriors’ circles.
“Ok got it, boss. I’m on it.”
“Good. Please don’t mention it to anyone in the office. I need this meeting to stay confidential.” If Steve heard about this, I knew he would panic.
“I’m good with secrets.” She smiled like a cat.
Secret seemed to be the word of the day.
The band on stage announced they had written the next three songs. My table was in the corner, out of view from anyone passing by on the sidewalk. I sipped my iced tea, waiting for Charlie Maine to arrive. I knew how lucky I was she had been available today. I didn’t know how there wasn’t another scandal somewhere in the AFA for her to clean up.
But we did have an advantage. She was engaged to Luke Canton’s brother, Linc, and that meant her home base was still Austin. I had a meeting with Linc on my schedule for tomorrow. I assumed it was to discuss Luke’s next steps with the Warriors. He managed his brothers deals and contracts. Part of me was envious they had a functioning sibling relationship. It certainly wasn’t something I could claim.
I didn’t know why Grammy was determined to track down Danny. I couldn’t get it out of my head. It wasn’t the only time she had mentioned it.
He wasn’t going to reappear and suddenly swoop in and become the family patriarch. We didn’t have one of those anymore.
When we were kids he was the biggest Warrior fan in the family. He had every card, game ball, hat, jersey. You named it—Danny had it. His room was a bigger shrine to the team than my grandfather’s office.
I don’t know when that changed for him. When he stopped loving the team. Stopped loving football. Stopped loving his family. Grammy needed to give up this crusade—he wasn’t coming back. Eight years away from Texas wasn’t a temporary trip. He had moved on. We needed to do the same.
I looked up when I saw Charlie enter the bar. She wore a fitted skirt that came just above her knee in a deep purple. I realized it was a leather material. She showed off her arms in a sleeveless silk blouse.
“Vanessa.” She smiled, sliding into the café chair across from me. “I was surprised to get your message.”
“Thanks for meeting with me so quickly. Would you like to order something?”
She shook her head. “I have about fifteen minutes. What do you need?”
Charlie had a reputation for being work-driven. She didn’t spend time with chit-chat or condolences. It was what made her successful. She could see through the bullshit.
“I received some information this morning. And I’d like to hire you to help me with it.”
“Like you did to roll out your engagement?” She eyed me.
I swallowed. I wasn’t like Charlie. I needed time to warm up. To exchange a few pleasantries. I never started with punches first.
