“You deserve it.”
“I do, don’t I?” She laughed. “Okay, so… I’ve got lots of things set up for us to do today. We’re starting in the garden. I’m growing my own food, and I love it. Follow me.”
She handed me a pair of red floral gloves and laughed when I tried to shove my hands into them with no luck.
“I told you—big hands, sweetheart.” I smirked.
She sucked in a breath. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned that many times.”
We spent the next hour with me following her around. I didn’t mind it. In fact, following this woman around while she was down on her knees, with a perfect view of her ass, was my new favorite way to spend my day. There just wasn’t much happening in her garden, as apparently, she’d planted seeds, and from what I knew from my mother’s experience gardening, she had a long way to go.
We talked about the fact that she was going viral on the internet.
She was completely unfazed and much more excited about the professional opportunities that were now coming her way.
We spent the next hour making vision boards. I made fun of her the entire time, as she had me cut out words and photos from magazines and stick them on this canvas board. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was having a damn good time.
It didn’t matter what I was doing—just that I was doing it with her.
“All right. That’s enough of this for the day. Now it’s time for all the good stuff. Buckle up, Captain. Things are about to get very exciting.”
I didn’t need to buckle up.
I was here for it.
fifteen
Brinkley
“So, this is what you do when you aren’t with me?” Lincoln asked as I guided him to the gated entrance at Maddox and Georgia’s house because he’d insisted on driving. I gave him the code to type in, and the grand iron gates opened, and we made our way up the driveway.
“Yes. And it’s Saturday, so my sister and Maddox aren’t working. She was waiting for me to finish up work with you so I could come over to discuss wedding plans. But since you’re working for me today, we get to come early.”
“This is a nice house.”
“Yes. Georgia’s fiancé, Maddox, bought it when he moved from the city to Cottonwood Cove.” I’d filled him in on Maddox owning the publishing company where my sister had met him and still worked with him.
I recognized Wyle, Maddox’s brother’s car in the driveway. I hadn’t known he was going to be there. We made our way to the door and rang the bell. Georgia pulled it open; her blonde hair bounced on her shoulders, and she beamed at us.
“Lincoln Hendrix. I apologize now for anything Maddox says that’s inappropriate.”
Lincoln just chuckled, appearing completely relaxed. We’d crossed some sort of line with one another, and there was a comfort there now.
There was an obvious attraction, as well. At least on my end. But I would not act on it.
I was finally getting my break professionally. My email inbox was flooded with job opportunities. Sports Today had dropped the news this morning that Lincoln’s announcement would be coming in a few days, and they’d listed my name as the journalist who would be sharing the news.
No pressure. Just the entire world waiting to hear where he’d be going.
It seemed ridiculous since the news was out that he’d just been in New York, where he was rumored to be going. But fans wanted an official announcement. They were particular that way.
“What could he possibly do?” I asked as Georgia hugged Lincoln and then turned her attention to me.
“Wyle is here, too,” she whispered. “That’s Maddox’s brother, and he’s also a super fan. But they promised they would play it cool.”
Lincoln just shook his head and smiled.
We made our way through the grand estate and found Maddox and Wyle in the kitchen, huddled together like they were two schoolgirls waiting for their crush to arrive.
“Are you seriously this excited to see him when you haven’t seen me in several days?” I asked, raising a brow at my future brother-in-law. “Hey, Wyle. Nice to see you.”
“Hey. I just closed on my house, and I needed some, er, eggs. Yeah. I was out of eggs. So, Georgie told me I could come get some.” Wyle cleared his throat as his gaze moved to the football star beside me. “Imagine my luck that my favorite quarterback was coming over at the same time.”
Maddox came around the island and extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Lincoln. I’m a—” He paused to look at me, and I rolled my eyes because this was ridiculous.
“Oh my gosh. Just go ahead and gush all over him. It’s fine.”
“Well, I’m a big fan. Aside from the temporary time that I had to pretend to hate you for Brinkley. And by the way, Brinks, I am equally excited to see you.”
Maddox walked over and wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.
“Sure, you are.” I laughed when he pulled back. “I heard you’ve got your man cave almost done. I can’t wait to see it.”
Maddox’s gaze moved from me to my sister. He looked a little nervous, which was unlike him, but I guess that could be the fact that his favorite quarterback was standing in his house.
“Don’t worry, baby. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Georgia chuckled and leaned against Maddox before he wrapped his arms around her. I was so happy for my sister. She’d found the real deal. This man loved her so fiercely, and I absolutely loved it. Loved them together. “Come on. We’ll show you his playroom.”
“It’s a man cave, Tink. A playroom is for a child.” Maddox kissed the top of her head and led us down the hallway.
He’d had this custom library done for my sister, so she’d decided to design a room just for him. When she pushed the door open, my jaw fell open. They’d done a lot to this room since I’d seen it last. There was a wall with four large television screens and a leather couch. They’d put in a bar area with cherry wood and a marble countertop in the corner. There was a pool table in the center of the room and dark-framed sports photographs hung all over the wall.
I immediately noticed Lincoln’s framed jersey hanging on the wall and walked toward it.
“Hey, I haven’t been friends with him for that long. When did you find time to get his jersey framed?” I said, my voice all tease. I actually liked that Maddox was a super fan because Lincoln deserved all the fanfare. The man worked so hard.
“He already had it, and he’d kept it in the garage until you gave the thumbs-up,” Georgia said over her laughter.
“I got it for him for Christmas two years ago.” Wyle glanced at the jersey before looking over at Lincoln, who was reading something on the wall.
“What are you reading?” I asked as I walked in his direction.
I was stunned to see several of my articles framed and hanging on the walls.
“I loved this article that you wrote about Hawk,” Lincoln said. “I just didn’t know you wrote it at the time, nor had I put it together until now. You did the man justice, and he deserves that.”
I felt a lump form in my throat and turned to see everyone watching me. Maddox raised a brow when I gave him a questioning look.