Page 11 of The Grumpy Boss Agreement

As it stands, whenever I do talk to my ex, it’s invariably about how she’s allowing me to have custody of my kid. There is a very real threat underlying those words.

“I suppose I ought to be thankful that she’s gone.” Dad clears his throat. “We’re always glad to have you back here, son. You’re welcome anytime. And you can stay forever as far as I’m concerned.”

I squint.

“Thanks, Dad.” A high-pitched giggle sounds from far away. I take the chance to change the subject. “Well, Charlie hasn’t been this happy in months. It’s nice to hear him laugh.”

My dad pats me on the shoulder.

“It’s good to have all my chickens come home to roost for a while.”

I shove my hands in the pockets of my khakis. “Just for a few weeks. Two months at the outside. I’m trying to launch a new branch of the agency in London.”

My dad looks at me as if I’ve just admitted to being from outer space.

“London? There are not a lot of baseball and football players in England, son. I don't see how a sports agent can really make a living over there.”

I roll my eyes. “Three words for you, Dad. Soccer and cricket.”

He gives a startled laugh.

“Have you told Rex that you’re leaving him yet?”

I wave him off. “No one is leaving anyone. I’ll have to come back once or twice a month to make my rounds. And Charlie can come visit you.”

My dad glares at me. He opens his mouth, presumably to rip my idea apart. But luckily, I hear an engine rev. Looking out at the driveway, I see a brand new bright red lifted pickup come roaring down the pink gravel road.

“There’s Rex right now.” A smile plays over my father’s lips and he looks at me with something approaching pity. “You can explain to your eight-time all-star baseball player brother who let you sign him as a client when you were first starting out just what you mean. See what Rex has to say about your namby-pamby move to London.”

“Cool it,” I tell him. The back of my neck warms. My dad smirks at me and then trudges toward the pickup.

I follow, steeling myself to talk to Rex. He climbs down from the truck, a grin on his face. He wears black joggers, a red track jacket, a white t-shirt with the Atlanta Kings logo on it, and a pair of dark sneakers. Along with a shit-eating grin, it’s his normal uniform. He runs up to me, grabbing me and hugging me hard. I hug him back, but I can’t get my dad’s words out of my head.

Is Rex going to throw a fit over my plan?

“Cole! It’s about damn time that you came back home.”

I slap him on the back and he moves on, hugging Dad.

“Old man,” Rex jokes. “How’s the shoulder feeling?”

“Good.” Dad smiles. “Rex, I can’t wait until Cole tells you about his plans.”

“What plans?”

I shoot my dad a long look. “We can talk about it later.”

A strange look crosses my brother’s face, but he just shrugs. “Okay. Well, I came over to see if you felt like taking a ride into town with me. I have a plan too, and I think it’s going to knock the shoes off your damn feet.”

I clear my throat and smile. “All right. Let me just say goodbye to Charlie. He’s been clingy ever since Holly vanished.”

“Great. I’ll drive. You can test out my brand new ride.”

He wiggles his eyebrows. I frown. “You’re the worst driver I’ve ever met, Rex. You are one speeding ticket away from having your license revoked.”

“Those Atlanta judges have got their britches in a twist over nothing.” My father cuts in, eager to defend Rex.

“Besides, the oldest ticket is about to hit the five-year mark and fall off your brother’s record.

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