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Logan Tyler was theitguy of Hollywood, the hottest actor on the market. Ironically, I’d met him during my stint with my ex, who was heavily involved in the LA circuit of the rich and famous.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Are you okay, dude? I’ve been trying to call you. You’re all over the internet.”
Internally, I groaned. “I know; I know. Sorry, my phone was off.”
“I know it’s a bad time, but we have to make a decision soon. I’m signing the contracts with the distributors this weekend, and I was going to overnight them to you.”
Crap. The tequila company.
When Logan had approached me to go in with him on this tequila company he was acquiring, I’d had my doubts. I wasn’t the business type. My agent and PR team handled all my endorsements with luxury brands. All I knew was how to play baseball. It was what I excelled at, and I didn’t have the need or drive to do anything else. But Logan had promised me that besides photo shoots and a few commercials, I wouldn’t have to do anything with the business side of things. So, I’d agreed and fronted the money, and soon, I would be part-owner of Callaway-Tyler Tequila, aka CT Tequila.
“Sure, send them over.”
“And, hey, Austin … I’ve secured a PR firm for our launch. I’m going with Mahoney Enterprises. They’re worldwide. Reputable. Well known. They’re the biggest ad firm out there.”
Well, shit.I was actually thinking of throwing the Loverlys’ firm in the mix. Their firm was struggling. I was sure the Loverlys didn’t want that out in the open, but Brandy knew what was happening, and she told me practically everything. Anyway, if I could help, I wanted to.
They were supposed to become part of our family. I loved Alec like a brother. Now that he wouldn’t become my brother-in-law, all those thoughts and feelings didn’t just go away.
“I wanted to talk to you about that actually. I have another company in mind. A smaller boutique firm, but they really have a good eye for things. Have you signed the contract with Mahoney yet?”
There was a short pause on the phone.
“Well, not yet, but …” His laugh echoed through the receiver. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with the business side of things, which was why I went ahead and contacted Mahoney.”
I sighed. “I know. I guess this was going to be my one and only ask. Trust me when I say, I’m good with remaining the silent partner who just smiles for the camera and dishes out money when you need it.”
“Send me their info. I’ll look it over.”
I smiled. “Okay. I’ll have my PA email it tomorrow. If I remember.”
“Send it, Austin. I want to get this moving. I want to launch in the Fall.”
“Okay, will do.”
After I hung up, I made a mental note to discuss this new opportunity with Sydney. This could only elevate their company, bring it to the next level. And I couldn’t deny this budding excitement to start working with her on this venture. I owed her this. I owed the whole Loverly clan this deal.
SYDNEY
I couldn’t stop staring. This time, not at the guy, but at the guy’s place. It was like a magazine in here—the marble floors, humongous windows, and the gorgeous chandelier dangling from his two-story, twenty-foot ceiling. It was exquisite.
“Why don’t you stay here?” I asked, putting my phone back in my back pocket. I had texted Serena to pick me up.
We were seated on the barstools at the kitchen island, though there was a ten-person dining room table in the middle of the room.
“I love being home.” He placed a piece of steak in his mouth, chewing before he spoke again. “No one is ever here, so why should I be here? Here, I order takeout every night. At home, Brandy cooks, and Alec and I …” He stopped, his fork hovering over the steak I chopped up for him. “We would play pool while Brandy was getting dinner ready.” He shook his head and jammed the peace of meat in his mouth as though it had wronged him in some way.
I struggled with the picture. First, that Brandy could cook—a tidbit I never knew. But second, the idea of the three of them as a family. And now, it wouldn’t happen.
We were silent for a beat.
Austin’s eyes lifted to mine. “Hey, thanks for today. For taking me to the hospital and here. For everything really.”
I exhaled a heavy sigh. “I didn’t exactly have a choice.”
He made a face that said,Bullshit. “Everyone has a choice. And you chose to help me out when you didn’t have to.”
