On the Shore (Cottonwood Cove, #3)(92)

She shook her head. “Never a dull moment. You guys enjoy. This row is yours. Your cousins have the row behind you.”

We all shuffled around and found our seats just as Uncle Jack waved at us, and they all made their way over to their assigned seats.

Lincoln was beside me, and he leaned close, whispering in my ear. “All that sex talk has me ready to haul your ass back to the hotel.”

My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I turned to look at him. “You’re insatiable.”

“Only with you, sweetheart.”

I wouldn’t have it any other way.





epilogue





Lincoln





It was our season opener, and I was champing at the bit to get out on the field. I’d always loved football. It was a part of who I was. But it was different this time, as I stood on the sidelines waiting for the coin toss, wearing number sixty-nine proudly.

It had always been only my mother out in the stands, cheering me on all these years. But my circle had grown.

My family had grown.

My mother was sitting in the midst of all the Reynolds chaos, and Romeo and Tia were right there with her. It was as if they’d always been a part of my life.

At least that was how it felt.

Bradford and Alana were sitting beside my mother. Tia was next to Georgia and Lila, while Romeo managed to squeeze between Maddox and Wyle. Hugh, Finn, and Cage were sitting beside them. Little Gracie was sitting on her Uncle Hugh’s lap, wearing a gigantic pair of pink headphones because Brinkley had worried that the noise would overwhelm her.

These were my people.

My teammates in life.

They supported me, and I’d walk through fire for any one of them.

We’d won the coin toss, and I slipped my helmet on as the crowd roared. I glanced over to see Brinkley several feet away on the field. She’d gotten a press pass and was covering the game, but she would not be interviewing me.

It was something she felt strongly about, and I fucking respected the hell out of it. Her career was important to her, but there was nothing more important than our relationship—for either of us.

I winked at her, and she just stood there smiling at me.

My girl.

I couldn’t wait to put a ring on her finger. We’d moved into our new home, and we’d gone to Paris for Maddox and Georgia’s wedding, and life had been busy. I wanted to do something really special for her, but I hadn’t thought of what it was just yet.

A smack on the side of my head had me whipping around, and Brett Jacobs stood there with his eyes bugging out of his head. “Uh, we got a game to play, asshole. You want to stop staring at your girl and pull your shit together?”

“Wipe that goofy-ass look off your face,” I said over my laughter when I realized the crowd had picked up on what was going on, and cheers and laughter bellowed around the field.

We’d gone public with our relationship, and we were both fine with it. We didn’t flaunt it and preferred quiet nights at home, but we didn’t hide it when we were out together.

I returned my focus to the game.

We got in the huddle, and I called the first play.

Everything about my life felt lighter now. When I was on the field, I wanted to do everything I could to score points and win games. But when I was off the field, I had a whole life going on.

And it felt damn good.

There was a lot more to play for now.

But whether or not we won this game—I still went home a winner. No doubt about it.

The whistle blew, and the ball was hiked.

I ran back, hyperfocused, as I gazed down the field. We wanted to come out the gate strong. Make a statement.

And there was Brett. He’d juked the dude covering him and was exactly where I needed him. I pulled back and released the ball.

Putting it right in his hands, just as he was tackled to the ground.

But I’d take a sixty-two-yard pass for our opening play all day long.

I high-fived the guys who’d covered me and given me the time to get that ball into Brett’s hands.

The next play was a pass to Terry Langley, and he rushed for ten more yards.

The crowd was going crazy, and it felt damn good to be back out here, doing what I loved.

With the people that I loved out here supporting me.

It didn’t get any better.

We battled for the next several hours. It was hot as hell outside, and we pushed as hard as we could to bring home the win. And that was exactly what we did.

We’d won by ten points, and Coach Balboa was proud as hell as we all gathered in the locker room and celebrated.

After we’d showered and changed, I made my way out of the locker room to a slew of reporters. I answered a few questions that they fired off, and Brett and Lenny were right there with me.

And that was when I saw her.

My gaze locked with Brinkley’s, and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

“Listen, these guys are here to answer whatever else you want to know. I’ve got a date with my girl, and frankly, she smells a lot better than all of you.”

There was a lot of laughter, and I made my way through the crowd as my teammates took over answering their questions.

“Great game, Captain.”

“Thanks. I thought you’d be stuck here running interviews.” My fingers interlocked with hers.