Epilogue
. . .
Georgia
We’d just cleaned up after having everyone over for dinner and a heated game of pickleball, where Finn gave me a real run for my money. The bastard had never even played, but he’d clearly gotten the same pickleball gene as me.
My parents had come by to watch, and my dad barbecued so Maddox could ref the games.
Everyone but Brinkley had been here, as she’d had a big press conference to attend for some famous football quarterback that she couldn’t stand.
But my sister never let anything or anyone keep her from getting her story.
Cage had tried to teach Gracie how to play, but teaching wasn’t his thing, as he had the patience of a Labrador puppy. So, she and I had had a lot of fun just tossing the ball back and forth to one another, trying to get it over the net.
Baby steps.
Wyle had stopped by, and everyone in my family loved him.
He was working with Brax to find a home.
Brax owned the real estate company in town, and he’d taken him out to see a spec home that Travis and his company had built a few months back.
He showed us photos, and we all loved the property, which was walking distance from our house.
He and Hugh both challenged me to another round of pickleball, and I loved every moment of it. Having everyone here. The sun was shining, and it was a perfect day for a barbecue.
But then, Cupid shot an arrow straight into my heart when I glanced over to see Maddox bent down, Gracie’s back to his chest, with his hands covering hers as she held the racquet, and he gently swung her arms back and forth, letting her feel the motion.
That was when Hugh had scored a point against me.
Which was a small miracle in itself because he and Lila weren’t remotely focused on the game as they had agreed to have an outdoor wedding at our house this summer, seeing as we had the big yard with views of the ocean, and they could look right down at the cove, which was their favorite spot in the world.
It was Maddox’s idea. They’d been tossing out venues they were considering, and none had felt quite right for them. He suggested they do a tented area out in the backyard, and I’d gasped when he also suggested the pickleball court would make a perfect dance floor.
I’d agreed, of course.
Weddings before pickleball.
I was reasonable, especially when it came to love.
And it would only be covered for a few days, so I could live with that.
So, they’d walked the property, taking photos and talking about potential ideas for where to set things up. And we’d all given suggestions, as well.
Everyone had just left, and Maddox and I were settling on the couch to watch a movie.
“You were really sweet with Gracie today,” I said as I leaned against him. “I think you’d be a great dad someday.”
We’d talked about it—marriage and kids—often, and it was something we both wanted, but we weren’t in a hurry to grow our family just yet. I was just finding my way in my new career and enjoying my life with this man beside me.
“I never thought that would be something I’d want, but you’ve changed my outlook on a lot of things.
” He kissed my forehead. “My fear is that they won’t all be like her, you know?
I mean, Gracie is the best. I’d have a dozen kids if I knew they were going to turn out like her.
But if we get a little shit like Wyle? Then we’re completely fucked. ”
I laughed hysterically, and he smiled as he watched me. He loved his brother, but they also loved to give one another a hard time. “I think we’ll be fine with whatever we get.”
“Yeah. I hope we have lots of little girls that look just like you and have all your goodness. It’ll make the world a better place to have more Georgia—” He paused. “You will be taking my last name. You know that, right?”
“You don’t want to be a Reynolds?” I teased.
“I already feel like one. Your family has a way of seeping in. Answer the question, Tink.”
“When you ask the question, I will be happy to take your name… I mean, pending I say yes,” I said over more laughter.
He rolled his eyes. “Well, I can assure you I won’t be asking at any fucking ice-skating rink. But I’ll come up with something special when that day comes.”
“Maybe we could take a drive on Scooty, and you could ask me as our hair is blowing in the breeze and we’re cruising down Main Street. We could get some mac and cheese after and get sexually harassed by Mrs. Runither.”
“Not a fucking chance. I’m going to dazzle the fuck out of you.”
“You already do every day,” I said, because it was the truth.
I’d never known life could be this good. I’d always been a happy person with a positive outlook. But I couldn’t have dreamed up all that had happened over the last few months.
Where I’d started.
Where I was now.
Who I was with, and how happy he made me.
And I was a girl who believed in fairy tales wholeheartedly.
But this one—this one was my favorite.
My phone vibrated on the coffee table, and I leaned forward and saw that it was Brinkley. I answered and put her on speakerphone.
“Hey, how did the press conference go?”
“Not freaking good,” she said, and her voice cracked on the last word, causing me to shoot forward, my back ramrod straight. Brinkley rarely got upset, and when she did, it was usually for a good reason.
“What happened?”
“Lincoln freaking Hendrix happened.” She sniffed.
“What did he do?”
“Everyone wants to know what that arrogant bastard is going to do next year. His contract is up, and he hasn’t announced where he’s going to play.
And he always lets that asshole, Tex McGuire, break the big news.
He never calls on me or acknowledges me when we’re all gathered after games, no matter how persistent I am. He’s a misogynist pig.”
“Yes, you’ve mentioned that before,” I said, glancing over at Maddox, who was listening attentively, as well.
“So, I found out where he was before the press conference. And maybe I snuck into the men’s bathroom when I saw him go in there.
I mean, so what!” she shouted. “We all pee, right? It’s not fair that all the male reporters get the benefit of catching him off guard while I’m in the women’s bathroom with who?
There are no quarterbacks in that bathroom. ”
A small laugh escaped Maddox’s lips, and I covered my smile. “That’s true.”
“So, I caught him off guard. I mean, it’s not like I saw his package. He hadn’t unzipped. But obviously, he’s got issues there because he freaked out on me for being in there.”
“Did he lay a fucking hand on you?” Maddox hissed.
“No, no, nothing like that. But he shouted about no one giving him a fucking second to himself. Guess what, genius? You’re the GOAT of the NFL. You don’t get a second to yourself. That’s the deal.”
“Did you say that?” I asked, because Brinkley was like a dog with a bone when she wanted something.
“I did. And then I just asked him to tell me if he had decided who he was going to play for. He’s the hottest free agent on the market. It’s the story everyone wants to break. And my asshole boss wants this story. At all costs. Those were his exact words.”
“And did he answer you?”
“He did not. He pointed his finger in my face and said something like, shame on you. I shouted the same thing back at him as he stormed out of the bathroom. And then he goes and has me banned from the conference. Security literally escorted me out of the building.”
“No!” I gasped. “That’s horrible.”
“It’s not even the worst part.”
“What happened?” Maddox asked, his tone hard, but I could hear the concern.
And that was when it happened. Brinkley started crying.
I could only think of three times in my life that I’d seen my sister cry.
One was when my mother washed her favorite white cashmere sweater with Hugh’s red football socks.
The next was when we found out that our aunt Beth had passed away from cancer.
And the last time was when we’d found out that our father also had cancer, which was now in remission.
“Brinks,” I said, my heart aching for her.
“He called me out publicly in the press conference and said I crossed a line. He actually said my name on national television. And my boss just called to tell me I needed to take an unpaid leave. It’s the same thing as being fired, but he’s keeping the door open in case I recover from this because he knows I’m good at my job. ”
“Hey. You’ve said for so long that you’re tired of working for him and you’d rather be a freelance reporter. You’re an amazing journalist, Brinks. This is your time to take that leap.”
It was quiet on the other end, aside from a few sniffs, and then she cleared her throat. “That’s true. I do have a lot of money saved up, and I wouldn’t need to pay this high rent and stay in the city. I can come rent a place back home for a few months until I figure it out.”
“Yes. That sounds like a great plan. You can build your freelance business.”
“I like the sound of that. But I am not living in Hugh and Lila’s casita, and I’m sure as hell not tucking tail and living with Mom and Dad.
I need my own place. I’ll find a cute house, and I can work from home, too,” she said, her voice sounding upbeat now, like she had a plan and was going to be okay.
“Hey, we just had the floors redone on that rental house that Georgia was living in, and I was going to have a few more renovations done to it, but it’s yours for as long as you need if you want it,” Maddox said, stroking my hair. “And it’s already furnished.”
I smirked at him because I’d recently learned that none of that furniture had belonged to him. He had purchased it all for me so I wouldn’t have to wait.
“Really? You haven’t rented it out?”
“I wasn’t planning on it. I figured we’d just offer it to family that came into town,” he said.
“Well, I insist on paying rent. That’s the only way I’ll agree to move in. I don’t need a handout, even if I was just publicly humiliated.”
“You fucking Reynoldses and your pride about handouts is exhausting. Fine. Rent is one dollar a month. Don’t be late. We’ll kick your ass to the curb.”
My boyfriend tried to keep his voice even, but I heard the humor.
“Deal. And I’ll make you guys dinner whenever you want.”
“You don’t cook,” I reminded her.
“Well, now that I’m an unemployed sports journalist, I’ll have more time on my hands. Maybe I’ll start making jam in jars. Or growing my own vegetables. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. And then I’ll go to Lincoln Hendrix’s next game and chuck big melons at him from the stands,” she seethed.
“This kind of anger isn’t healthy,” I reminded her. “Put him in your rearview mirror and move forward. When one door closes, another opens.”
She groaned. “You’re like a walking mantra. He closed that door in my face, and payback is a bitch. I’ll walk through this new door, but I will find a way to get revenge on that guy. From now on, we all curse the ground he walks on. You got it?”
Maddox cringed. Lincoln Hendrix was his favorite player. He was a huge fan, and he’d been anxiously awaiting his announcement about where he would play next year.
“Done!” I shouted. “Lincoln Hendrix is enemy number one.”
Maddox rolled his eyes before turning back toward the phone. “You need help to get packed up?”
“Nope. My apartment is small, and I can be out of there in a few days. I love you guys. I’ll see you soon.”
She ended the call, and I leaned against Maddox’s shoulder. “Thanks for offering her the house. That was really sweet of you.”
“Baby,” he whispered. “How serious is she about us all hating Lincoln Hendrix?”
I turned in his arms to face him. “She’s a bit of a grudge holder. We still can’t speak of Timmy Wilson because he kicked her bike over at the park when she was in third grade.”
“Shit. Isn’t Lincoln all three of your brothers’ favorite player, too?” His voice was so concerned it was difficult not to laugh.
“Yep. They’re big fans.”
“And we all just hate him now?”
I shrugged. “It’s sort of what we do. I won’t tell on you if you keep your secret man crush private.”
He moved so fast I didn’t see him coming. He had me on my back on the couch as he hovered above me. “I only have one crush, and it’s on my future wife.”
“There you go again. Don’t threaten me with a good time. Put your money where your mouth is, Bossman.”
His mouth crashed into mine in response, and my lips parted in invitation.
Because I couldn’t get enough of this man.
And I never would.
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