"Anyway Jude? What's going on on your end of things?" Uncle Carl asked.

Jude looked forward to the twinkle in his Uncle's eyes when he glanced at him. Despite his grumbling, the man adored his nephews and niece equally with over spilling tenderness he wrapped in tough love.

"I just wrapped up Dwight McKnight's Nike ad and put him on a plane back to Nashville. Last night I went out with the New York Jets bosses at a lounge. I made sure they know we've got all the stars they want to support their causes. They'll turn to us before they look to Atticus for sponsors." Jude finished pinching his gold Parker pen proudly.

Despite Uncle Carl's lifetime old friendship with Atticus, they were rivals in business and with women. Jude knew heck! the whole world knew about the rivalry.

"Steven?" Uncle Carl asked, "Can you do us a solid and help us out with one more client?"

Steven shot his Uncle a regretful glance "Sorry Uncle Carl I can't get in the field again. Besides I can tell my schedule is about to be tight with Puma wanting to back out after Thompson's cheating scandal again. It's a lot of money, a sure dent in his legacy, the league is threatening to buy out his contract if he does it again. And we all know he's stupid enough to."

"Still can't keep it in his pants I see." Uncle Carl commented tiredly then swept his gaze to his darling niece "Soph?"

She spread her hands wide indicating there wasn't much she could do "I'm not sure if I want to deal with another dumb jock ogling my boobs while I'm attempting to book him for a charity. Besides until daily news backs off the gossip and innuendo on Torres. I'm busy as phuck."

Uncle Carl rolled his eyes "Fly him out an Instagram thot, book a photographer and let the pictures leak. Or have him oogle at you in public, it's been a while since you've seen anyone anyway. Some attention will be good for you."

Jude laughed, Uncle Carl's solution was problematic on so many levels but Soph's reaction was priceless every single time.

"You need to loosen up a little." Steven teased Sophie after she'd scrunched her face up at Uncle Carl's solution.

"You're one to talk. I've dated plenty and I'm not up for being someone's beard. Ew. Also sex with closeted guys is sooo..."

"No sex talk in the boardroom." Uncle Carl bellowed with a frown he always wore when his nephews and niece got on a roll that in more cases than not led to sex talk.

The problem was, they never took him seriously, Not about partners in that sense. How could they when he'd never married, committed nor hid his trysts with various women as they'd grown up?

He'd even used them to pick up women-until Linda got wind of this nonsense and took over joining them on vacations, trips to the park etc making them seem like a family. Which sent out a serious dent in Uncle Carl's social and love...well sex life.

"So on to discussing a new client?" Linda announced.

"Who?" Jude asked scrolling down the pages on his tablet surely he'd missed that part out. Right?

Steven groaned leaning back into his leather chair, "Zero."

Zero was a Heisman winner and a gloriously celebrated Dallas franchise player until he blew out his knee. He was also Uncle Carl's most prized athlete in the Agency until the guy bailed on him after his injury.

Steven hated the guy he found him full of himself which said something coming from Steven.

This wasn't the end of Zero though Jude had met him a few years back when he was still in college at a charity event. His sterling grey eyes were mesmerizing, his hair short, blond and slicked back. Zero definitely carried himself with a cocky air. And a smug-grin that said yes I know you and everyone in this room wants a piece of me.

Uncle Carl's gay nephew remembered wondering where Zero stood with the lgbt+. Since just the very thought of him sent swells of anticipation and lust to flow through Jude's veins like honey.

Jude swallowed hard "What does he want from you after all this time?"

Uncle Carl let out a low threatening growl "It's better be to kiss my ass. The only reason I'm seeing him is because Linda insisted I give the kid an appointment." He jerked his yellow pencil Linda's way.

Linda squared her shoulders and smiled softly.

Jude's mind for no apparent reason was assaulted with images of Zero's rugged features and come hither grin which was a bit disturbing. "Sure you can't take one more client Steven? Zero is a hall of Famer and a high roller." Jude tried to persuade his brother as he had no desire to take on his Uncle's new client.

"Money isn't everything Jude, I can't."

It was impossible for Steven to turn down the big athletes which is were Franklin's gather and Jude knew this but Steven was a stubborn head so Jude moved on "Sophie? "

Sophie shook her head both she and Steve shot down all his advances in trying to throw them the ball.

It figured.

For once and at his expense the bickering duo decided to agree.

Family.