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

“First off, I don’t fangirl, and I take offense to the accusation. The dude has been my favorite QB for years, but of course, I’ll agree to hate him right alongside you. Not because I think it’s a mature or rational request, but because you’re a bit terrifying when you’re angry.” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I never claimed to be mature or rational.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said dryly, but I saw the corners of his lips turn up the slightest bit.

“Daddy, what pets did you sees today?” Gracie asked, running toward us with her book bag.

“It was a slow day. But I saw three dogs, one horse, and a pig. The highlight was Mrs. Runither coming in and demanding to be seen.” He took another long pull from his glass before setting it on my counter.

“She has animals?” I asked. Mrs. Runither owned Cottonwood Café and was the most sexually inappropriate woman I’d ever met. She harassed her customers about their sex lives, yet it was hard to stay away as her macaroni and cheese was the best in town.

“No.” He raised a brow at me. “She wanted me to look at a mole… on her chest.”

My head tipped back in laughter.

These were the moments that I was grateful to be back home.

“What’s did you do, Daddy?” Gracie asked as he pulled her up into his arms. “Did you help the lady?”

“I sent her to a dermatologist.” His voice was firm, and I was still laughing. “Thanks for picking her up today.”

“Thank you, Auntie. I loves you.”

“I loves you more.” I kissed each of her rosy cheeks and the tip of her nose as she giggled.

“You want to come over for dinner?” Cage asked as he walked toward the door. I knew my siblings were all worried about me, but I was doing just fine.

Great, actually.

“Thanks, but I’m okay. I’m going to work for a little bit and then go see Mom and Dad.”

“All right. We’ll see you later.” He held a hand up, and I closed the door.

I spent the next hour scanning the internet for sports publications and went through a bunch of submission ideas before walking the few blocks to my parents’ house. The sun was just going down, and it was a perfect night for a walk. My phone buzzed, and I knew before I looked that it was the sibling group chat, which was always ongoing.

Georgia



Hey, we just got home from work. I was swamped today. What’s everyone doing?





Finn



Just finished filming for the day. I think Jessica Carson is actually into me. She just asked me to come to her trailer and hang out. She kept grinding up against me long after they called the scene today.





Cage



Don’t shit where you eat, brother. It has disaster written all over it.





Georgia



What if you live in a tiny house? Wouldn’t you have to shit where you eat?





Hugh



Yeah, I’m guessing Finny boy wants to live in a tiny house and get busy with his costar.





Stay away from Hotty-McSnotty! I got very narcissistic vibes from her in the two interviews I watched with her.





Hugh



I don’t think he’s thinking of a long future here, Brinks.





Take it from someone who has experienced job stress. Not worth it. Walk away.





Finn



She’s not my boss. We work together. Sure, she can be a bit much sometimes. She’s got some serious diva tendencies, but she’s hot.





Cage



You’re just bored because Reese has been gone for so long. You’re looking for a companion, not a hookup. Walk away.





Finn and Reese had been best friends for as long as I could remember. She’d gone through a bad breakup with her longtime boyfriend, who was now her ex-fiancé, and she’d been in Europe for the last several months, working for a design firm there. The two had always been inseparable, and we all noticed the difference in him since she’d been gone. He was a lot needier than he’d ever been, but I wouldn’t tell him that.

Hugh



I love when you go deep, Old Wise One.





Cage



It’s OLE Wise One. Don’t call me old, you dick sausage.





<eggplant emoji> <hotdog emoji>





Georgia



Maybe Finn would bring out a softer side of Jessica. Love can do that to people. Look at Bossman.





Cage



<puking emoji>





Georgia



<heart eyes emoji>





Also, since we’re all being a little emotional here about love and happily ever after, I am here to remind you that we still hate the football player from hell. Cage tried to pull his sly, undercover crap and see if he could start getting his “Bieber Fever” on for that rat bastard, and the answer is a big, fat, resounding no.