Chapter 1 #2
“Did you just call what happened a blessing? Oh my gosh.” I flailed my hands in his face.
“Are you still trying to get me to tell you it’s okay to fangirl over the man who ruined my life?
Do not try to glaze over what he did by calling it a blessing.
It’s offensive. Ugh, you are all the same.
” My brothers and Maddox had all found roundabout ways of seeing if I still hated the man because, of course, he happened to be everyone’s favorite quarterback in this part of the country.
“First off, I don’t fangirl, and I take offense to the accusation. The dude has been my favorite QB for years, but of course, I’ll agree to hate him right alongside you. Not because I think it’s a mature or rational request, but because you’re a bit terrifying when you’re angry.” He smirked.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I never claimed to be mature or rational.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said dryly, but I saw the corners of his lips turn up the slightest bit.
“Daddy, what pets did you sees today?” Gracie asked, running toward us with her book bag.
“It was a slow day. But I saw three dogs, one horse, and a pig. The highlight was Mrs. Runither coming in and demanding to be seen.” He took another long pull from his glass before setting it on my counter.
“She has animals?” I asked. Mrs. Runither owned Cottonwood Café and was the most sexually inappropriate woman I’d ever met. She harassed her customers about their sex lives, yet it was hard to stay away as her macaroni and cheese was the best in town.
“No.” He raised a brow at me. “She wanted me to look at a mole… on her chest.”
My head tipped back in laughter.
These were the moments that I was grateful to be back home.
“What’s did you do, Daddy?” Gracie asked as he pulled her up into his arms. “Did you help the lady?”
“I sent her to a dermatologist.” His voice was firm, and I was still laughing. “Thanks for picking her up today.”
“Thank you, Auntie. I loves you.”
“I loves you more.” I kissed each of her rosy cheeks and the tip of her nose as she giggled.
“You want to come over for dinner?” Cage asked as he walked toward the door. I knew my siblings were all worried about me, but I was doing just fine.
Great, actually.
“Thanks, but I’m okay. I’m going to work for a little bit and then go see Mom and Dad.”
“All right. We’ll see you later.” He held a hand up, and I closed the door.
I spent the next hour scanning the internet for sports publications and went through a bunch of submission ideas before walking the few blocks to my parents’ house.
The sun was just going down, and it was a perfect night for a walk.
My phone buzzed, and I knew before I looked that it was the sibling group chat, which was always ongoing.
Georgia
Hey, we just got home from work. I was swamped today. What’s everyone doing?
Finn
Just finished filming for the day. I think Jessica Carson is actually into me. She just asked me to come to her trailer and hang out. She kept grinding up against me long after they called the scene today.
Cage
Don’t shit where you eat, brother. It has disaster written all over it.
Georgia
What if you live in a tiny house? Wouldn’t you have to shit where you eat?
Hugh
Yeah, I’m guessing Finny boy wants to live in a tiny house and get busy with his costar.
Stay away from Hotty-McSnotty! I got very narcissistic vibes from her in the two interviews I watched with her.
Hugh
I don’t think he’s thinking of a long future here, Brinks.
Take it from someone who has experienced job stress. Not worth it. Walk away.
Finn
She’s not my boss. We work together. Sure, she can be a bit much sometimes. She’s got some serious diva tendencies, but she’s hot.
Cage
You’re just bored because Reese has been gone for so long. You’re looking for a companion, not a hookup. Walk away.
Finn and Reese had been best friends for as long as I could remember.
She’d gone through a bad breakup with her longtime boyfriend, who was now her ex-fiancé, and she’d been in Europe for the last several months, working for a design firm there.
The two had always been inseparable, and we all noticed the difference in him since she’d been gone.
He was a lot needier than he’d ever been, but I wouldn’t tell him that.
Hugh
I love when you go deep, Old Wise One.
Cage
It’s OLE Wise One. Don’t call me old, you dick sausage.
Georgia
Maybe Finn would bring out a softer side of Jessica. Love can do that to people. Look at Bossman.
Cage
Georgia
Also, since we’re all being a little emotional here about love and happily ever after, I am here to remind you that we still hate the football player from hell.
Cage tried to pull his sly, undercover crap and see if he could start getting his “Bieber Fever” on for that rat bastard, and the answer is a big, fat, resounding no.
Cage
What the hell is “Bieber Fever”?
Georgia
She’s calling you a fangirl.
Hugh
I confess. I asked Cage to find out if we were still hating on Hendrix.
I tried to change the channel when they were giving updates on where they think he is going to play next year, but old habits die hard, Brinks.
I still hate him out of respect for you.
I just want to know where he’s going to play next season.
Finn
I hate him, too. But did you hear he’s leaning toward New York?
Cage
I also heard Los Angeles is in the running. That’s when I ran to turn off the TV because the sound of his name makes me sick.
You’re all a bunch of traitors. We do not cheer for the enemy.
Georgia
Well, I hate him for sure. But I did catch Maddox watching SportsCenter, and he was glued to the TV when they mentioned him.
Not a loyal one in the bunch aside from you, Georgie.
Cage
Don’t be dramatic. It’s a big ask.
Finn
So, wait. Do I go for it with Hotty-McSnotty? Can we circle back to me?
Walk away. Don’t make me say “I told you so.” You know I hate to be a know-it-all.
Cage
Who is this, and what did you do with Brinks?
I chuckled as several texts came through. Everyone said he should not mix business with pleasure, aside from Georgia, who only wanted to see the best in everyone.
I’d never been that way.
When people showed me who they were, I typically believed them.
And I knew exactly who Lincoln Hendrix was.