Chapter 19 - NO
Grant Keller didn't like the word.
He hid it well.
But Tyler saw it.
“No family-story rights.”
Grant folded his hands.
“Tyler—”
“No approval over interviews.”
Dana shifted in her chair.
“And the exclusivity drops from three years to one.”
Grant smiled.
“That would materially change the value of the deal.”
“Okay.”
Tyler stood.
Grant blinked.
“Sit down.”
Tyler stayed standing.
“You said no pressure.”
“There isn't.”
“Then we're good.”
Grant looked at Dana.
Dana looked at Tyler.
“Let us revise it.”
Tyler sat again.
Thirty minutes later, they returned with a new number.
Fifteen thousand.
Tyler read the document.
Family clause gone.
Interview restriction gone.
One-year term.
He looked up.
“You dropped ten thousand.”
Grant smiled.
“You removed ten thousand dollars of value.”
Tyler didn't like the answer.
But at least it was honest.
He signed.
For six weeks, everything went well.
Two local campaigns.
A shoe-store appearance.
One social post for a meal-prep company.
Nothing embarrassing.
Nothing fake.
Tyler sent part of the money into savings.
Bought his mother a new washing machine after hers died.
Michael complained.
Rachel kept it.
Then Mason won its first conference game.
Tyler scored nineteen off the bench.
Afterward, Grant texted him.
DINNER TOMORROW.
Tyler replied.
WITH WHO?
Grant answered.
SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP YOU.
The restaurant was private.
Expensive.
Grant sat beside an older man named Charles Wynn.
Tyler knew the name.
Wynn owned construction companies.
Hotels.
Two car dealerships.
And a foundation that had donated millions to Mason athletics.
Wynn shook Tyler's hand.
“Love your game.”
“Thank you.”
“Love your father too.”
Tyler's stomach tightened.
Wynn smiled.
“I've got a flooring project.”
Tyler didn't answer.
“Forty-seven units. New development outside Hartford.”
Grant leaned back.
Tyler understood immediately.
“My dad's company?”
Wynn smiled.
“He's qualified.”
Tyler looked at Grant.
Grant said nothing.
Wynn continued.
“Could be good for everybody.”
Tyler put his napkin on the table.
“What do you want?”
Wynn's smile faded slightly.
“Nothing.”
Tyler had heard that word before.
Nothing.
Then usually came something.
He stood.
“Then call my dad like any other contractor.”
Wynn leaned back.
“And if I prefer doing business with people who appreciate relationships?”
Tyler looked at him.
“My dad taught me relationships don't come with hidden invoices.”
Grant's face tightened.
Wynn's did not.
He seemed almost amused.
Tyler walked out.
His phone buzzed before he reached the sidewalk.
May you like
Grant.
YOU JUST MADE A MISTAKE.
