Page 74 of Mad Rivals
“I could get used to this place,” she says as I stroll over and move in behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist in a backward hug.
“The view got better once you arrived.” I drop my head and press my lips to her neck.
“Mm,” she moans, and she leans back into me as she reaches up to wrap her hand around the back of my neck. “You better stop that or you’re going to make me late.”
I laugh. “Then be late.”
She twists in my arms so she’s facing me. “I can’t. I said I’d sit in on a meeting that starts at nine, and I have no idea what traffic will be like during the morning commute to get up there.”
“Too bad,” I murmur.
“I know. We have tonight, though. And tomorrow. I need to go shower.” She tips her chin up and kisses me, and then she heads toward the bathroom.
I get ready to head into my own office, and that idea of merging companies is still swirling. We say our goodbyes once she’s ready, and I head over to the office space I didn’t even know my father had already rented.
I text John, the man my father chose to run the San Diego branch, when I arrive, and he meets me in the lobby. I’d guess he’s in his fifties, and he introduces himself and shakes my hand before he accompanies me up via the building elevator to show me around.
We’re renting half of the top floor of this building, and the space looks like it’s just about ready for us. His office is, anyway, and we sit in there and discuss the opportunities available here in the greater San Diego and Los Angeles areas. There is plentyof development to be had despite the already crowded nature of both areas, and they’re both highly competitive markets.
I think Bradley Group can do some really great things here…but I also know one of my competitors is meeting with her staff right now probably thinking the exact same thing.
“Your father said you’ll be around more once you move here,” John says.
“He told me that as well,” I say dryly, and John laughs. “And I will stop in on occasion, but I’m not taking over Bradley Group until I retire, and I’m very much still playing.”
“Good luck to you this season, Madden. We’ll all be watching. In terms of business, your father trusted me to take on the managing responsibilities here at this location, and I plan to do just that.” There’s a bit of warning in his voice, as if he’s telling me not to step on his toes because he’s the one running this place.
I realize he’s older than me, but he’s not in line to be the CEO. Part of me wants to put him in his place, and the other part of me doesn’t have enough fucks to give him one of them.
So I let it slide.
We talk until lunchtime, and then we go out for a working lunch as we discuss the goals of this office.
He never says it, but I get the feeling John sees me as nothing more than a jock who’s being handed this company. And honestly, yeah. That’s partly true, and I get it. Iama professional athlete. Iambeing handed this company thanks to that little old thing called nepotism. I didn’t earn it. I was born into it.
I may have focused on football for the better part of my life, but every summer since I can remember, I worked at Bradley Group. I have a vast knowledge of this business even though I spend the better part of six months out of the year away from it.
I’m smart, and I’m capable. And I’m tired of trying to prove that. I don’tneedto prove that. But maybe I do need to put this guy in his place.
I don’t. Not today. I don’t have time since I promised I’d meet Clay at the gym for a few hours.
I don’t want to, though. I just want to get back to my hotel where I can get back toher.
And that’s a really goddamn terrifying thought that’s brand-new to me.
CHAPTER 30: Kennedy Van Buren
The Math Isn’t Mathing
The office visit goes surprisingly well. The entire time, I can’t help but feel like this is where I’m supposed to be.
I’m a Chicago girl at heart. It’s why Clem and I moved on our own to the city. We wanted to experience independence, to be city girls living our best lives.
It didn’t exactly pan out that way, but even so, Chicago has my heart.
But I think California might have my soul.
The proximity to the beach and the mild weather are lovely traits. But I think it’s the fact that Madden Bradley is going to be living here for the next year that really has me looking at things through a different lens.
