On the Shore (Cottonwood Cove, #3)(4)

Cage



What the hell is “Bieber Fever”?





Georgia



She’s calling you a fangirl. <laughing emoji>





Hugh



I confess. I asked Cage to find out if we were still hating on Hendrix. I tried to change the channel when they were giving updates on where they think he is going to play next year, but old habits die hard, Brinks. I still hate him out of respect for you. I just want to know where he’s going to play next season.





Finn



I hate him, too. But did you hear he’s leaning toward New York?





Cage



I also heard Los Angeles is in the running. That’s when I ran to turn off the TV because the sound of his name makes me sick. <eyeroll emoji>





You’re all a bunch of traitors. We do not cheer for the enemy.





Georgia



Well, I hate him for sure. But I did catch Maddox watching SportsCenter, and he was glued to the TV when they mentioned him.





Not a loyal one in the bunch aside from you, Georgie.





Cage



Don’t be dramatic. It’s a big ask.





<middle finger emoji>





Finn



So, wait. Do I go for it with Hotty-McSnotty? Can we circle back to me?





Walk away. Don’t make me say “I told you so.” You know I hate to be a know-it-all.





Cage



Who is this, and what did you do with Brinks?





I chuckled as several texts came through. Everyone said he should not mix business with pleasure, aside from Georgia, who only wanted to see the best in everyone.

I’d never been that way.

When people showed me who they were, I typically believed them.

And I knew exactly who Lincoln Hendrix was.





two





Lincoln





My mom was asking more questions than I was in the mood to answer at the moment. I’d stumbled into this little café as soon as I’d pulled into town, needing to stretch my legs and get a bite to eat. I’d ordered an iced coffee and a sandwich and found a table in the back of the quaint restaurant.

I’d kept my sunglasses and a baseball cap on out of habit, but no one was in here, so I set them aside. This was exactly what I needed.

Some quiet.

Some peace.

I couldn’t ask for more.

“So, how long do you think you’ll stay?” she asked as I held the phone to my ear.

“I don’t know. I haven’t even been to the house yet. Drew said I can stay as long as I want. Apparently, he and Deb are busy with work and the kids’ activities, so they won’t be coming for several months.”

“You could come home,” Mom said, though she’d offered it multiple times already.

“I know. And thank you. But I wanted to get out of the city. I need a break while I figure out my shit. I don’t want people grilling me every time I walk out my door. And I want you to have some peace while you continue to get healthier every day.” My mom had a house outside of San Francisco, while I lived in a high-rise in the city. But everyone knew me there, and that was what I was trying to avoid at the moment.

I couldn’t think.

I couldn’t breathe.

“You do what’s best for you, Linc. You know I’ll support you, no matter what you decide.”

There were a few things that I was certain of right now. But my mom’s support had always been the most solid thing in my life.

“I know, and I appreciate it. There’s a lot to consider, and it’s weighing on me.”

“Well, I’m here anytime you want to talk.”

“You got it. I’ll call you in a day or two after I get settled.”

“Love you, Linc.”

“Love you.” I ended the call and took a bite of my sandwich as I glanced around the place. This town was like something out of a movie. It sat on the coast, with a cove in the center of town. My agent, Drew, had been telling me to get a place here for years. He and his family used to spend their summers out here, but now their kids were getting older, and they weren’t able to get away as often as they used to.

I’d always been too busy to get away.

Too obligated.

Too intense about training.

But right now, I had options, and I wasn’t going to rush into any decisions.

Even if reporters had basically staked out my place in the city, following me to restaurants and hounding friends and family to get the inside scoop about where I was going to play next season.

It annoyed the shit out of me.

And the truth was, I didn’t know where I was going. I was at the peak of my career. Coach Anders and I didn’t see eye to eye, and I’d tried to get behind his plan for the team ever since he’d been hired two seasons ago. But over the last two years, he’d traded half the guys I’d started with. Dudes that had protected me.