Now he was suddenly concerned about me?
I made my way through the trees and down toward the cove. It was a gorgeous morning. A perfect day for a run. The sun was shining, and I could hear the water lapping against the shore as I made my way to our meeting point.
It had been a nice break being back home. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the simple things, like a quiet morning or a peaceful run outside versus a busy gym in the city.
I’d been working in my garden and had even started cooking and exploring new recipes.
Life was slower here.
Calmer.
Easier.
I looked up to see Lincoln standing with his arms folded over his chest, glaring at me.
“You’re late.” He raised a brow.
I glanced down at my watch and laughed. “It’s 7:02. Seriously? You’re calling me late?”
“I was here at seven.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’m here now. Are you going to tell me what’s off-limits and what I’m at liberty to ask you while we run?”
“No. The run is just to get some exercise. We can make small talk. Nothing I say on the run is on the record. Got it?”
I groaned. “Why make me come on the run if I’m not interviewing you?”
“Don’t you need a pen and paper or a laptop to do a proper interview?”
I was going to record him, but I did prefer to have my iPad with me.
“Fine. Run first. Questions after.”
We walked toward the road, and he turned to look at me. He was tall and too good-looking for his own good.
It made me dislike him even more because I hated that I found him so attractive.
“It’s four miles to my place. We can stop there, and you can ask three questions today. So, take your time to choose them wisely while we’re on the run.”
“Three questions? That’s ridiculous,” I said as we started running. He moved to the outside of the road, forcing me to the inside, which seemed like a chivalrous gesture for a jackass.
“We’ve got weeks. No sense rushing it.”
Our pace was pretty quick, but nothing I couldn’t keep up with. “Did you drive down to the cove? I didn’t see a car.”
“No. I ran there this morning. I wanted to get a long run in.”
I wouldn’t lie. I was impressed. But it wasn’t too surprising, seeing as the man was considered a machine in the world of football.
“So, am I allowed to make basic small talk while we run? Or does that count as one of my three questions?” I was fairly fluent in sarcasm, and I made sure he knew I was annoyed.
He chuckled. “Small talk is fine. But it goes both ways. You ask something, off the record. I get to ask something. That’s how small talk works.”
“Says the guy who barely speaks to the press. Now you’re the expert on small talk?”
“Offending me will not earn you any points. Stop fighting it and just start with the damn small talk.” He glanced over at me with one brow raised before turning his attention back to the road.
“Oh, this is just so twisted,” I said as my breathing grew a bit labored. I had a hunch he was pushing the pace in hopes of keeping me quiet. But then, why bring me out here at all? I could have just met him after his run for the interview. “How are you liking Cottonwood Cove?”
“I actually like it. I can finally breathe.”
Honest.
Humble.
Unexpected.
“Good answer.”
We ran in silence for a few minutes before we turned the corner near Main Street, and he spoke. “Did you grow up here?”
“Yep. I’ve lived here my whole life, aside from my time away at school. I played collegiate volleyball for four years and then moved to San Francisco to be close to home after I graduated.”
“That explains the running skills,” he said. “Do you want to move back to the city?”
“Um, you just had your question. It’s my turn. Aren’t you the small talk expert?”
He laughed. “Touché. Go ahead.”
“Are you really going to Cottonwood High School next week to help Brandy surprise Lionel?” I asked because Brandy had cornered my brother and me last night when we were leaving Reynolds’ and told us about her surprise.
“Yes. I like Lionel. He’s a good kid.”
“Yeah. He really is. He’s had it rough.”
“How so?” he asked.
“His dad ran off with some woman when he was, like, five years old. It’s always just been him and his mom. He works at the restaurant to help her pay the bills. He was hoping to get a football scholarship, but nothing’s panned out yet, so he’s probably going to go to community college here in town.”
Lincoln was quiet. Like he was processing my words.
“I know he’s a kicker. Is he any good?”
“I’ve never seen him play, but my brother, Hugh, and his fiancée, Lila, went to all his games this season, and they said he was really good. But it’s a small town. He wasn’t on anyone’s radar, and his mom didn’t really know how to go about helping him put himself out there. Lila had him reach out to a few college coaches, but he hasn’t heard anything yet.”
“It’s a tough road. First, you’re fighting for a college scholarship, then you’re trying to get drafted.”
“Says the guy who probably had endless scholarship offers and got drafted before he graduated from college.”
“Wrong. I started playing at a small college in the Midwest. It was the only one that wanted me and offered me money. And then I transferred into a bigger program.”
I knew he’d graduated from the University of Alabama, but I hadn’t realized he’d transferred in. So much about him was unknown.
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s not something I talk about. I also didn’t go in the first round of the draft. Hell, I barely went in the second round. No one expected much from me, but that only made me work harder. That’s public knowledge, so I’m guessing you know that.”
“I did. Is the college stuff on the record for me to share?” I asked as we turned the corner, moving onto the strand, the path that ran along the water, and he picked up the pace.
“No. It’s all small talk, sweetheart. If you want it on the record, you’ll have to ask it again as one of your three questions.” He chuckled as he glanced over. “I’m the house at the end of the path. Let’s go.”
I pumped my arms as hard as I could as we sprinted along the water, and I gasped for air.
I couldn’t feel my legs, and when we came to a stop, I dry heaved when I bent over to catch my breath. It was a little mortifying when a loud burp escaped, and a large hand came down on my back.
I barely felt it, but it was there. He patted me a few times. “Too much?”
I pushed to stand and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Never.”
“Come on. Let’s get you hydrated.” I followed him as he walked around the side yard and led me to the back door.
Wow. The house was right on the water.
“Is this your house?” I asked as I stepped inside and took in the dark wood beams on the ceiling, which matched the floors. We’d come in through the back door and entered through the kitchen and family room.