On the Shore (Cottonwood Cove, #3)(52)

We sat there, looking out at the water.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

My gentle giant? He acted all tough on the outside, but he was a softy beneath.

“Of course not. If you didn’t notice, I wasn’t crying in pain. That was pure pleasure, Captain.”

He tightened his arms around me. “Yeah. I noticed. Just want to make sure you’re okay.”

I tipped my head back to look at him. “That was amazing.”

“Did you expect anything less?”

“Ah… there he is. My cocky football star.”

He kissed the tip of my nose and looked back out at the water.

“Your family is pretty amazing. Must have been fun growing up with all those kids in the house.”

“Yes. It was the best. But it was also chaotic and crazy. We love hard. We fight hard. But we always have one another’s backs, no matter what.”

“That’s cool. It’s like your own built-in football team.”

A loud laugh escaped. “Never thought of it like that, but yes, I’ve got my teammates for life, I guess.”

He was quiet for a minute, and there were so many things I wanted to ask him.

“You and your mama are really close, huh?”

“We are. She’s the best. She’s already looking at homes in New York now. The woman has supported me for my entire life.”

“She sounds incredible.”

“She is. You’re going to love her.”

My stomach flipped at the way he spoke about the future. Like it was a no-brainer that I’d meet his mother.

“I look forward to it.” I cleared my throat.

“Something you want to ask me, sweetheart?”

“Yeah. It’s not for the story; it’s just for me.”

“Then there is nothing off the table. Ask away.”

“Well, I know you don’t like to talk about your father. But I just wondered if you talk to him?”

He let out a long breath, and I waited. “My father left shortly after I was born. Just took off and wanted a new life, I guess. They were young, and she got pregnant when she was only nineteen years old. My mom used her name on my birth certificate because she was fully prepared to raise me on her own, which she did. He kept in touch with my mother and would check in a couple of times a year, and then he eventually stopped reaching out. He remarried a few years later and had a new family. Last I heard, he had a son and a daughter. I’ve never met them and have no idea where they live. Where he lives.”

I turned to face him, placing a hand on his cheek. “Wow. He sounds like a selfish asshole.”

“Probably a fair description.”

“Do you want to meet his other children?”

“I used to wonder about it. I don’t even know if they know about me. But at the end of the day, I don’t know him or them, nor do I consider them my family. The man left my mom to fend for both of us on her own. He never paid child support because she didn’t put his name down on the birth certificate. She said he used to send money now and then to try to help out. My mom worked really hard to make ends meet when I was growing up. That’s why I was pretty horrified that I’d gotten you fired. I’d never intentionally take someone’s livelihood from them.”

“I know that now that I actually know you. Your mom sounds like such a rock star. So, she struggled financially?”

“Oh, yeah. I didn’t grow up with a lot, as far as material items, but there was a shit ton of love in that house. We lived on peanut butter sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. But we always had a good time together. We’d play cards and board games, and there was always a lot of love in our home. That’s probably why I overreacted when you walked into that bathroom. I’d been on edge ever since she got diagnosed. She’s kind of it for me as far as family goes.”

My heart ached for a young Lincoln and his mother, who were clearly on their own.

“I know how scary it is,” I said, leaning my head against his chest. The sound of his heartbeat soothed me. “I told you that my father was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was in college. It was the reason I came back to San Francisco when I graduated. I’d interned for a big magazine back east that had offered me a position, but I knew I needed to be close to home. It was a scary couple of years.”

“He’s okay now?”

I nodded. “He is. And hopefully, it stays that way. Every time the poor guy even coughs, we all get nervous.”

Lincoln chuckled. “I get that. I did my research when my mom got sick. Wanted to be sure we got her the best care possible. I’m always on her about eating right and getting rest. She pushes herself. Never misses any of my games.”

“She loves you.”

“She does. And she deserves a break. She’s lived her entire life for me. I want her to do things for herself, you know?”

“Yeah. My aunt Beth lost her battle to pancreatic cancer when my cousins were young, and Uncle Jack just focused on them. Making sure they were okay. But now they’re grown, and we all worry about him. I think my cousins would be okay with him dating now, well, aside from Dilly.” I laughed, and he shot me a puzzled look. “She’s just super protective over him, and I don’t know that anyone would be good enough for him in her eyes.”