On the Shore (Cottonwood Cove, #3)(80)

They shifted their attention my way and made introductions. Lou Colson was the president and the man I’d been negotiating with. Darrel Fisher was their chief legal, and Steve Monty was the managing editor. We settled around the big table with all three men on one side and Lincoln and me on another.

“The story you wrote was one of the best I’ve read in a very long time,” Lou said, and my heart raced. He was a very powerful man in the industry, so a compliment from him was as good as it gets in my world.

“Thank you. That means so much to me,” I said, trying to keep my tone even as the nerves were setting in.

You’ve got this. Shake it off.

Lincoln glanced at me, and I saw the pride there.

“And finally allowing fans to get to know a little more about you, Lincoln, is going to have the magazine selling off the racks.” He turned his attention to my boyfriend. “Obviously, you know we want this story and any future stories that you’re willing to let Ms. Reynolds write about you.”

Future stories? We had never discussed any articles with Lincoln in the future.

Lincoln squared his shoulders. “This is the story. She’ll be moving on to other athletes, I presume.”

I could feel the tension radiating from him, and it was time to speak up. This was an interview, and I needed to sell myself.

“I wrote the article on Breen Lockhart that I forwarded to you, as well, and I’m open to any interviews that you would want to set up for me. I’m also open to getting out in the field and covering games and meeting athletes.” I paused and sucked in a breath because I desperately wanted to prove that I could do this job. “I’ve wanted to work for this magazine for as long as I can remember. I’ll do whatever it takes to be the best at my craft. I promise I won’t let you down.”

Lincoln’s hand found my thigh beneath the table, and I knew he was trying to comfort me.

“That’s great to hear, Bailey,” Lou said. “We’re interested in what Mr. Hendrix is willing to do beyond this current story that you’ve written. Maybe he’d agree to give you an exclusive interview once or twice a season?”

What the hell? Did he really just call me by the wrong name?

“Her name is Brinkley, not Bailey,” Lincoln hissed, and I knew that he was pissed off with the direction this was going. I needed to turn this around.

“Right. Please forgive me,” he said. “We’d be willing to buy whatever articles Brinkley writes about you moving forward, and we can look into a permanent position down the road.”

Why were they only talking to him? This was my interview. My hands fisted on the table, digging my nails into my palms to remind myself to keep it together.

“I thought you were interviewing me for a full-time position today? That’s what we spoke about on the phone and in our emails,” I said, raising a brow as I looked Lou Colson right in the eyes.

“Correct. It’s a conversation that we’re starting, pending what Mr. Hendrix has planned regarding future articles with you.”

“Come on, gentlemen, what exactly are we here for? Let’s shoot it straight because, at this point, you’ve wasted her fucking time and mine.”

“Lincoln,” I said under my breath as I met his gaze. “I’ve got this.”

Because we both knew what we were here for now.

They were using me to get to him.

They had no interest in me.

“So, what exactly is this? You just wanted to get Lincoln here?”

“She has a gift, no doubt about it. We’re interested in offering her a future position pending what you can commit to. This story will put her on the map, and that’s because it’s about you.” He directed his answer to my boyfriend, speaking as if I wasn’t sitting right here. As if I hadn’t just spoken.

My mind was spinning. This was a complete disaster.

You will not get pushed around by a bunch of pretentious pricks.

“Is there a job beyond interviewing Lincoln Hendrix?” That was the million-dollar question at this point.

“We’d like to focus on Lincoln for now.”

“Fuck this. You’re yanking her fucking chain, and it’s a shitty thing to do.” Lincoln pushed to his feet and turned to face me. “Come on. This isn’t happening.”

My blood was boiling because these men were assholes, but I could handle them. I didn’t need my boyfriend to speak for me.

“I’ve got this.” I gave him a hard look, but the truth was… I didn’t have this. It had gone from bad to worse.

“No, sweetheart. There’s nothing to work out here. They’re using you to get to me. And I won’t allow it.” He offered me his hand, and I took it. My chest was pounding so hard I could hear my pulse in my ears.

“Mr. Hendrix, I assure you that we’re interested in offering her a position down the road.”

Lincoln didn’t respond, and they made no attempt to speak to me.

I whipped around, feeling a lump form in my throat, but thankfully, my anger won out over the sadness threatening to erupt. I pointed my finger right at Lou Colson. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Calling me here when you had no interest in hiring me.”

“That’s not the case. Why don’t we talk this over?” he said, but Lincoln and I were moving already.