“It’s a sports room. Of course, we want to have your words on the walls in here. We’re proud of you,” Maddox said. “Hell, I was willing to hate my favorite player for you until he made things right.”
“You did give it a try, and I appreciate it. And thank you for including my work in your man cave. I’m honored.”
The next hour was spent with Maddox and Wyle asking Lincoln endless questions and talking about some of their favorite moments of the games they’d been to over the years.
Georgia and I sat on the couch, and she showed me her top three favorite dresses that she’d narrowed it down to. We had plans to go with my mom and Lila to the city together to watch her try them on next week. She showed me the color scheme for the wedding, which would be taking place in Paris, France, at the end of the summer. Hugh and Lila’s wedding was coming up in a few weeks and would be taking place here at Georgia and Maddox’s home. They’d be bringing in a large tent and tables and even port-a-potties for guests.
I couldn’t believe my brother and my sister would both be married in a few months. I’d been so busy with work and my new client that I’d lost track of time, and things were getting real now.
We’d ended up ordering takeout and having dinner all together, and now everyone was acting like they’d known Lincoln their entire lives.
“So, do we have to wait until the end of the week to know where you’re playing?” Maddox asked, and I glanced over at Lincoln. I hadn’t told a soul because it wasn’t my secret to tell. Well, not yet, at least.
Lincoln chuckled. “I think I can trust you. I mean, you didn’t want to hate me on her behalf, but you followed through. That’s a good man.”
“Dude. It will go to the grave with us.” Wyle held his hands up dramatically.
I laughed and used my hand to cover my mouth. “It’s being announced in a few days. You don’t have to go to the grave with it.”
“You know what I mean,” he said, glancing from me to Lincoln.
“I’m heading to New York,” Lincoln said, without an ounce of hesitation.
“I knew it!” Maddox shouted. “I bought the season tickets already because I didn’t want to risk them selling out.”
“Well, be honest, Bossman. You bought season tickets in three places because you didn’t totally know where he was going.” My sister chuckled.
“You bought tickets for three teams?” I gasped.
“That’s if you don’t include the fact that we already have the season tickets in San Francisco,” Wyle admitted.
“Well, yeah. I had them in San Francisco. I got some in New York. But there was some talk about Chicago and Tampa.” Maddox shrugged. “But I can sell them. It was worth it.”
The room erupted in laughter.
“Damn. You do not mess around. Thanks, buddy. Hey, if you guys ever want to come down onto the field, just let me know.”
Maddox and Wyle both gaped at him.
“That’s a hard yes,” Wyle said.
“Well, their father and brothers wouldn’t be pleased if we left them out of it.”
“Oh my gosh. Cage would lose his shit if you went down on that field without him. Dad, Hugh, and Finn would just spend a few hours pouting,” I said.
“I can get you all a pass. It’s not a problem.” Lincoln winked at me.
Damn, the man was smooth.
Maddox and Wyle were tripping over their words, and Georgia turned to Lincoln and hugged him. “That’s really nice of you. Hey, why don’t you come to Sunday dinner tomorrow at our parents’ house? It would seriously be the best surprise.”
He glanced over at me, and I shrugged.
We were friends now, right? I should have thought to invite him myself.
We hugged everyone goodbye, and of course, the guys all exchanged numbers. They invited Lincoln to guys’ night at Hugh’s house next week for cards and beers.
My brothers were literally going to lose it because they’d get to see him twice this week.
It was late by the time we left their house.
I hadn’t expected to stay that long.
Lincoln opened my door, and I got inside and buckled up as he came around and slipped into the driver’s seat.
“That was great,” he said, glancing over at me. “Thanks for letting me tag along.”
“Sure.” I chuckled. “I mean, you’re hanging on the man’s walls because he’s such a fan. You were hardly tagging along.”
“Hey. You’re hanging on the man’s walls, too. Don’t sell yourself short.” He started the car and glanced over one more time. “Am I taking you home?”
I didn’t want the night to end. We’d been out all day, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
“Are you hungry?” I asked because it had been a few hours since we’d had dinner.
“Starving. But I think everything’s closed. It’s late.” He pulled down the driveway.
I sent a text to Hugh.
Hey. Is Reynolds’ already closed up? I’m with Lincoln, and we are starving. Your apple pie and ice cream sound really good right now.
Hugh
I just got off the phone with Maddox. Are you fucking kidding me? We’re going to go down onto the field at a game? I’d give you my firstborn right now if I had one.
I figured you’d like that. <winky face emoji>
Hugh
The restaurant is closed. You’ve got a key, and you know the alarm code. Go help yourself. Just lock up and set the alarm when you leave. Love you, Brinks.
“Okay, let’s go to Reynolds’。 Park in the back.”
“It’s open?” he asked as he drove the short distance to downtown and pulled in behind the restaurant.
“No. But I’ve got a key, and Hugh said to help ourselves. Get ready for the best pie you’ve ever had. They have this amazing baker who runs the bakery next door and provides them with the best desserts.” Lincoln opened my door, and we made our way inside. I flipped on the lights as we entered through the kitchen.
“Wow. These are some serious sibling perks.” He took the pie from me, and I reached for the ice cream and the whipped cream.
I cut us each a slice of pie and popped them into the microwave to get them warmed up just a little bit. I added a scoop of ice cream and sprayed a bunch of whipped cream on top. I tipped my head back and sprayed it into my mouth because I couldn’t help myself.
Old habits die hard, I guess.
When I put the cap on the whipped cream and looked up, Lincoln’s green eyes were watching me so closely that it made it difficult to breathe.
Well, that and the fact that I had an abnormal amount of sugary cream in my mouth.
I quickly swallowed as he watched me intently.
He moved closer, and his thumb came down on my upper lip.
“You have a little left here,” he said, holding his thumb out to me as he offered a small amount of whipped cream.
I didn’t know if aliens had taken over my body, but on instinct, my mouth opened. His thumb slipped inside, and I swirled my tongue around it and sucked. Desire flooded, and my gaze never left his.
He pulled his thumb out, and his mouth crashed into mine. My lips parted, and his tongue slipped inside. The kiss was needy and desperate, the way we both clung to one another. He lifted me off the floor and settled my ass on the metal counter in the kitchen. He stood between my thighs, and I could feel his erection through his jeans as it pressed against my center. My fingers were tangled in his hair, and his large hands were on each side of my face, as if he couldn’t get close enough. I was so turned on that I couldn’t see straight. I bucked against him, needing that friction. Needing to feel him against me.