Page 103 of Her Game Plan

“So, we’re going back to the way things were?” I ask as Chris straightens his shirt sleeves, a gesture I know he does when he’s annoyed.

Dad shakes his head. “Not quite.”

He pauses, and I swear it’s purely for dramatic effect.

“I’m going to officially form a holding company for Langford, of which I will be the chair. I will slowly roll on a board of two to three independent members who, upon my retirement, will have authority over large capital decisions as well as the hiring and firing of each of the subordinate companies’ CEOs. I, and later they, will also play a role in any conflict resolution. You will each be named the CEO of the companies you lead—the ones you actually want to lead.”

I smile. It’s essentially what we’re doing now, but it’s making it clearer from a legal perspective. It’s a little like taking a step back, but it does give me slightly more authority and the CEO title I’ve always wanted on the entertainment side of the business. The entertainment business now.

“That sounds great, Dad,” Chris starts, but Dad cuts him off.

“One last thing. Based on that conversation with your mother, I’m also going to structure the ownership of the holding company a little differently. I’m planning to give each of you thirty percent.”

I quickly calculate what that means, coming to the shocking conclusion before my dad says, “So you each, alone, cannot overrule my decisions, but, like in the situation with Hugo, if you agree with each other, you can override my vote.”

Chris and I look at each other, shock covering our faces for the second time today.

“Oh, don’t look like that,” Dad says, a halfhearted look of annoyance on his face.

Chris smiles. “We won’t let you down.”

“You’re going to be so impressed with us,” I agree.

“I’m always impressed with you two. Speaking of which, Charlotte, I got a call from Preston Hale today. He told me you convinced him to sponsor the team. Almost cried when I told him Devine would still be a Stallion, too.”

I let out a little shriek before pausing. “Wait, he agreed before he knew we were keeping Callan?”

The proud grin that crosses my dad’s face is one I’ve only seen a few times in my life. I both hate how badly I long for it and feel so happy to finally have earned it. “He did. Told me your lecture really made him rethink where he was putting his money.”

I’m dancing on the inside. All backflips and low drops that I’ve never once been able to do anywhere but in my mind.

“Good work, Char,” Chris chimes in, shooting me a proud grin. “And thanks for the assist.”

I look between the two of them. “I get to go back to working in entertainment now, though, right? Because now that I’ve girl-bossed the Stallions, I’d really like to get back to booking musicians.”

My dad laughs as Chris rolls his eyes and says, “Frannie is frantic to have you back.”

Chapter 41

Callan

“Don’t have a brighter outfit for tonight, Princess?” I tease, taking in the highlighter-orange top that sits almost two inches above her long, hot-pink skirt. I want to lick that hint of skin so bad. Actually, fuck it.

I stalk toward her, scooping her into my arms as she lets out a breathy shriek. After throwing her onto the bed, I tumble down after her, dropping a kiss on her lips before turning my full attention to the creamy flesh taunting me.

“What are you doing, Ball Boy?” Charlotte’s tone is bright with amusement as she grips my hair, pulling my attention to her face. Unfortunately, it also reminds me there are far more interesting strips of skin I could be focused on. Ignoring the slight pain in my scalp, I lick the entire expanse of her exposed stomach.

“Callan! Our friends are going to be here soon! We can’t miss your birthday party.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket and look at the time before throwing it onto the seat in the corner. “We’ve got thirty minutes. That’s plenty of time for what I have in mind. Plus, it’s only May 10th, my birthday isn’t until tomorrow.”

“Just what every girl wants to hear.” She drops back in a heavy sigh, her hand dramatically draped across her forehead. “Fine.”

When I don’t do anything, she opens her eyes, peeking at me.

I stare back, daring her to break first.

She huffs. “Please?”