Page 10 of Hard To Fall
Then she turns and walks away, and I’m left standing here wondering how the fuck she got under my skin so fast.
CHAPTER 5
LILY
Colt Callahan is tryingto sabotage me, and he’s not doing it quietly and definitely not cleverly.
He’s doing it like a grumpy toddler in a grown man’s body—arms crossed, attitude loud, still favoring that damn knee, and his responses are limited to grunts and glares.
I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve been here a week already, and all I’ve gotten are one-syllable answers and side-eyes.
We’re in the conference room, which is really just a folding table and some metal chairs. Oh, and pen and paper, can’t forget the prehistoric writing tools.
Levi’s here along with two sponsors. Will, their dad, stands to the side of me, and Colt has moved his chair a good three feet back from the table as if he’s trying to create a noticeable distance.
“So,” I say brightly, pulling up the sponsorship plan on my iPad, “we’re focusing on visibility, community branding, digital engagement?—”
“Pass,” Colt mutters.
I give a bright white-toothpaste-commercial smile. I know his type and have learned quite a bit about him this past week. He’s trying hard to get me to quit, but I won’t be pushed out ofthis place. So my plan today is to give whatever he dishes out, right back.
“Great feedback,” I say. “Truly insightful. You should write a book.”
Levi snorts, and one of the sponsors coughs to hide a laugh. I won't be overly disrespectful, but I’m going to let them all know, every man in this room, that I’m damn good at my job and I won’t be pushed around.
“We don’t need fancy marketing,” he adds. “We need bulls, dirt, and beer.”
“Congratulations,” I reply sweetly. “You’ve described every rodeo since 1924.”
Levi chokes on his drink. His dad pinches the bridge of his nose.
Colt finally looks at me. “You always this mouthy?”
“Only with men who enjoy it more than they admit.”
“Whoa,” Levi whispers.
One of the sponsors shifts uncomfortably. “Uh—so what exactly are you proposing?”
“Story,” I answer. “Not noise, not big billboard ads. No gimmicks or jokes. We want to reaffirm that this place was built on legacy and runs on family and heart. Fans that come here know they're buying into a lifetime of riding, not just an event for the night. I’ve got a big rodeo I’m planning, with high-end names and lots of giveaways. Something like this will keep them coming back. They want to invest in something meaningful.”
Colt scoffs. “Meaningful doesn’t pay bills.”
“Neither does being miserable,” I fire back. “Yet here you are, fully employed.”
Levi loses it as his dad mutters, “Jesus, Lily.” I almost feel bad about it, but I won’t give in.
Colt leans forward. “You think you can walk in here and fix everything with a smile and an iPad?”
I lean forward, too. “You think glaring at people is a business model?”
“Worked so far.”
“Barely,” I say. “Your sponsors are aging out faster than your paperwork system.”
“That’s not your concern.”
“It is when I’m trying to stop this place from financially face-planting!”
