“Uh, yes, Miss Brinkley, did you need something?” the small dude said, turning his gaze to me before his eyes bulged. “You’re, oh my gosh, you’re Lincoln Hendrix.” He proceeded to bend over to grab his knees as he started hyperventilating and wheezing.
“Lionel!” Brinkley snapped, shooting him a look that basically said she’d harm him if he didn’t do what she said. “Escort this man out of here, please.”
“Really?” I said with a chuckle. “I’m standing next to the door, and I’m on my way out. You’re going to make this poor kid have a panic attack just to prove a point?”
“Damn straight. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass, Captain.”
I barked out a laugh now because she was absolutely out of her mind.
And hot as hell.
“Don’t worry about it, Lionel. I was just leaving. Thanks for the food, sweetheart.”
Once again, she held her hand up and flipped me the bird. Her pretty, pink lips pursed together, and she raised a brow, waiting for me to leave.
Lionel sheepishly moved toward me and pushed the door open before whispering, “Is there any way that I could get your autograph?”
“Lionel!” she shouted from a few feet away again. “No fraternizing with the enemy.”
I quickly took the pen and the pad he was holding in his trembling hand and signed it for him. “You better get back in there. She’s a bit terrifying.”
He chuckled. “Thanks. She doesn’t work here, though. She’s just helping out her brother. Come back real soon.”
I’d just been escorted out, and he was already inviting me back?
I almost laughed as I held up my hand and waved as I walked down the street.
I’d enjoyed my first few days here.
Life was slower.
I’d had time to think.
Drew and Deb’s house was right on the water, and it had its own dock with a boat and all sorts of water toys. I’d be training hard here in the off-season, and the fact that Drew had a state-of-the-art home gym made it very convenient. I’d been out for runs every morning, and I’d even gone for a swim this morning.
This was exactly what I needed to clear my head.
Figure out my shit.
I had a bunch of offers and needed to decide if I’d be moving and playing for a new team next year. My gut told me it was time to go, but I’d always been a loyal guy, and it was hard for me to walk away from my team, even if my coach was a complete asshole. Sure, he was kissing my ass now that we’d shocked the shit out of everyone and made it to the Super Bowl and then somehow pulled off a win. But he wasn’t a team player. He didn’t build that relationship with our guys. He’d cut too many of my brothers with no warning. He’d made comments to me that he’d cut a bunch of the new guys if they didn’t step up. They were young, and they needed time. We needed time as a team to rebuild and find our chemistry. But he was not willing to put in the time or the work for us to do that. I couldn’t keep starting over with new guys every time he went on a cutting spree.
And Coach Balboa was coaching out in New York now, and he wanted me to come out there and rebuild that team with him. I’d started my professional career with the man, and he was more like a father to me at this point. When he’d been let go from the team, I’d struggled to stay where I was, but he’d been the one to advise me to do so. He’d brought over two of my best friends, Brett Jacobs and Lenny Waters. Brett was one of the best receivers in the league, and Coach Anders had cut him because he’d had a tough season two years ago when we’d suddenly found ourselves playing for a new coach. But he’d been playing phenomenally this last season, and he was pushing for me to move out there and get our game going again. Lenny was a running back who’d sustained a tough Achilles injury and been cut from our team. Coach Balboa had brought him on, as well, and he was rehabbing that injury and would be playing this coming season for the New York Thunderbirds.
When I got home, I sat outside and looked at the ocean as the waves crashed against the dock.
It was quiet.
Peaceful.
My phone buzzed with a text from Drew.
Drew
She turned down the job. <shrugging emoji>
Yeah. I just ran into her when I was picking up food. She told me she wasn’t taking the job and to stay out of her business unless I wanted to let her interview me.
Drew
So, give her your story. You’re going to have to give it to someone. It’ll clear your conscience.
My conscience is fine. I got her the job back, didn’t I?
Drew
You did. Did she say why she wasn’t taking the job?
Who the fuck knows. Something about finding a story and landing herself a new job. At least, that’s what she said before having me escorted out of the restaurant by a teenager who was less than half my size.
Drew
Damn. I like this girl. She doesn’t take your shit.
Whatever. She’s being stubborn. If she wants the job, it’s hers to take. I’ve done my part. I need to focus on my training and my future. End of story.
Drew
Agreed. I’m just wondering… is she hot?
Who?
Drew
Brinkley Reynolds. Deb said she’s gorgeous. I’m wondering if she’s just being kind or if it’s true.
She’s hot. Not that I was looking.
She was fucking hot. Probably the best-looking woman I’d ever laid eyes on. But I wasn’t going to admit that. Because she was also being childish and petty about the job and insisting I leave the restaurant.
Drew
Of course, you weren’t. It’s been a while since you’ve dated anyone seriously. It’s got to get old just banging supermodels and fangirls. Is that why you’re being a moody asshole lately?
What are you? My dating therapist? We aren’t girlfriends. Fuck off. I’m fine. And if you’ve forgotten, the last woman I dated sold a bullshit story about my family for a couple of thousand bucks and fucked that douchebag hockey player while we were together. I’m not in a hurry to go there again. It’s best to keep things casual while I’m trying to figure out my life.
Drew
Dude, you dated an unknown actress who was a bad breaker-upper. Once you ended things, it was bound to go sour. Perhaps you should try dating a non-famous person who isn’t thirsty for their ten minutes of fame.
You set me up with her.
Drew
Don’t shoot the messenger. She was a friend of Deb’s Pilates instructor. How the hell were we supposed to know she was a stage-five clinger?
I rolled my eyes and leaned back on the couch. I enjoyed sex as much as the next guy, but I hadn’t had great experiences with relationships. So, I preferred to keep things casual most of the time. My life was complicated enough at the moment anyway.
I’m done talking about my dating life, or lack thereof. I do just fine with the ladies. Don’t you worry about it. Talk to you tomorrow.
Drew
Deb just said that her manicurist is single and that her short stint in prison was just because her ex-boyfriend made her sit in the car when he robbed a gas station. I can’t make this shit up, brother.
I laughed and dropped my phone on the couch as I stared out at the water.
For whatever reason, those dark brown eyes flooded my thoughts. The way her chest rose and fell when she hissed at me. The way her long waves fell around her shoulders. And don’t even get me started about her plump, pink lips.