Chapter 31
thirty-one
. . .
Brinkley
I’d arrived in New York late last night. I hadn’t told Lincoln that I was coming. I wanted to share everything with him after I took care of business.
I’d taken the bull by the horns after that dick weasel, Lou Colson, had called me back. The man had completely changed his tune. He’d basically offered me whatever I wanted but still continued to call me by the wrong name.
Bailey.
He’d just been desperate to get that story. But if he were the last man on this earth with the only sports magazine out there, I’d keep the story to myself.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice… I will hold a grudge until the end of time.
Is that the saying?
Oh, right—fool me twice, shame on me.
That wasn’t happening. No one would fool me twice.
These last few days had been exactly what I’d needed.
I’d figured out a few important things.
First off, I was an independent woman. And no one could take that away from me. Not the president of a big magazine who couldn’t get my name right.
Not anyone.
I decide my worth.
My fate.
Who I am and what I will accomplish.
Secondly, if one door closes, another one always opens. Being let go from my job months ago was not as terrible as I’d originally thought. It was the best thing that had ever happened to me. And now, there were more doors waiting for me than I’d realized.
Thirdly, just because we want something, doesn’t mean it’s good for us. I mean, I spent years eating every sour gummy worm I could get my hands on. And what did that give me? Canker sores and belly aches.
Just because you want it, doesn’t mean it’s right.
Sports Today was not the place for me. They’d shown me who they were.
They’d only called me back because they thought I was desperate enough to go work there after they’d treated me horribly.
The reporter in me didn’t even have to reach far to get him to talk.
He’d offered me the job in exchange for the article, and he’d said I would only need to interview Lincoln once a season.
The man really didn’t get it. The first time I’d said no, he’d offered me a corner office and top billing.
Yet he still didn’t know my name.
I didn’t want what he was offering.
There were only two things that I wanted.
Lincoln Hendrix and a job that challenged me.
And I lived in a time where I could have both. I could work hard and take what I wanted in this world because I was worthy.
I’d never just be someone’s girlfriend.
I knew it, and Lincoln knew it.
And damn, had I enjoyed telling Lou Colson to take his offer and shove it where the sun don’t shine. He’d sputtered and panicked when I’d made it clear that he wouldn’t be getting the story I’d written about Lincoln or any future interviews with him, either.
Because Lincoln Hendrix was my boyfriend, and sometimes, I was the boss.
I’d arrived at Strive Forward magazine a few minutes early.
This time, I wasn’t nervous. There was a peace that I’d found back home as I processed everything.
After I’d sulked and let the rejection sink in and then realized it wasn’t me being rejected.
It was just some guy who wanted Lincoln’s story.
That had very little to do with me when I broke it all down.
I was damn good at my job, and I knew it.
So, the next job that came along could take me or leave me.
Because a job would not define me. A man would not define me.
I was my own woman. My career was a bonus. Something that would challenge and fulfill me.
And Lincoln—he owned my heart.
He made my life better. He loved me in a way I’d never known was even possible. And I loved him just as fiercely.
He didn’t define me. He completed me.
I was going to be okay no matter what happened today.
I’d find the right company to work for eventually.
I didn’t recognize the woman behind the counter, as it had been several years since I’d worked here.
“Ms. Reynolds, Audrey Andrews is ready to see you,” the receptionist said.
“Thank you,” I said as I followed her back to the conference room.
Audrey was waiting for me when the receptionist pushed open the door. There was a woman that stood beside her when my mentor pulled me into her arms.
“I’m so happy that you agreed to interview here. This is Marie Hardy, our chief legal.”
The receptionist smiled before closing the door as I shook hands with the woman beside Audrey, and we all took our seats.
“It’s a pleasure. I’ve heard a lot about you. We’re thrilled that you agreed to come out here and that you’re considering working with us,” Marie said.
“Thank you for having me. I’m really excited about this opportunity.”
Audrey passed out water bottles to each of us before taking the seat across from me.
We spent the next forty-five minutes with Audrey praising me and referencing every article I’d ever written. It felt good to be recognized for my work, and it didn’t hurt that they both continually got my name right.
“I do want to put something out there right away, just in case you have an issue with it.” I cleared my throat.
“Please. The floor is yours,” Audrey said, her brows cinched as if she was anxious to hear what I had to say.
“The article that I’ve written about Lincoln Hendrix is not on the table as part of this negotiation.
I’ve agreed to commission that story to Football Live, as they specifically cover football, and I feel it’s the best place for it.
” I reached for my bottle of water and took a sip, waiting to hear if they were going to end the conversation here.
“You know that I read it after you submitted it to me. Obviously, I thought it was very well written. You’ve got a gift for getting the right information from the people you interview.
There’s no fluff. It’s one of my favorite things about your work.
” Audrey smiled. “And I agree that Football Live is the best place for that particular piece. You know that we don’t specifically cover one sport.
We focus on athletes. Men and women. All sports are on the table. ”
I nodded. “It’s what I liked most when I interned here.
I want to be very upfront so that there are no secrets between us.
I am also in a romantic relationship with Lincoln Hendrix.
I won’t be conducting any further interviews with him moving forward.
We have a personal relationship, and I want to protect that.
So, if that is an issue at all, there is nothing further to discuss. ”
They glanced at one another and smiled.
“I like your fire. And dating a professional athlete is not easy. Marie can vouch for that.” She smirked.
“My husband is Mike Cabo,” Marie said.
“The basketball player with the most points scored last season?”
“The one and only. I use my maiden name at the office, and I understand what it means to prioritize your relationship. I respect that more than you know.”
“So, this just means that we now don’t cover the GOAT of the NFL, nor the MVP of the basketball courts.
” Audrey chuckled. “Lucky for you both that I like human stories and so do our readers. We want to find the underdog who overcame a lot to make the team. The athlete who never gave up and found success in a sport where no one thought they would. Does that still appeal to you, Brinkley?”
“Very much so,” I said.
“I was worried you wouldn’t want to relocate out here, but seeing as Lincoln is living here, I think we actually may have a chance with you.” She smiled.
We spent the next three and a half hours talking about our love of sports and the athletes that have inspired us. Audrey and I took turns trading stories about our favorite articles to date.
I knew I’d found my new workplace home when I left the office.
It felt right.
I’d met several of the people who worked there, a few that I’d known from years ago, and others that had joined the team since I’d left.
They made me a wonderful offer. I’d taken the contract with me to look it over and agreed to come back the following day to sign and make it official.
Audrey and Marie both hugged me goodbye, as they really didn’t stand on ceremony here.
It was my kind of place.
I knew I’d thrive here, and that was exactly what I was looking for.
And it didn’t hurt that it was based in the city where the man that I loved happened to live now.
I took the elevator downstairs and dropped to sit on the bench in the large lobby. I pulled up the family group chat and sent a message.
It couldn’t have gone better. They were amazing. It’s exactly what I was looking for.
Georgia
I knew it! You just needed to find the right place, Brinks. Did you sign with them?
I wanted to play a little hard to get. I said I’d bring it back tomorrow.
Hugh
Atta girl. Kicking butt and taking names. Proud of you. Have you told Lincoln yet?
He’s my next stop. I want to tell him in person.
Cage
Fix things with him. The season starts soon.
Cage
Oh, congrats on the job. I knew you’d find the right place.
Did you just ask me to fix things before the season starts BEFORE you congratulated me?
Cage
I’m sorry. I’ve got real issues over here. Mr. Wigglestein has knocked up another bitch in Cottonwood Cove, and everyone is up in arms over here. I’m hiding in my office and taking a breather.
Georgia
Damn. Mr. Wigglestein pulls the ladies!
Finn
Have you seen him? The dude’s balls hang down to the ground.
Hugh
Cage’s balls? What did I miss?
I laughed as I called my Uber.
Georgia
OMG! We are talking about Mr. Wigglestein’s balls.
Hugh
What is your obsession with this dog’s genitalia?
Cage
That is not what we’re talking about. That was all Finn. The dude has a premiere next week, and he’s talking about a dog’s balls!
Finn
Keeping it humble, brother.
The world is going to go crazy for you, Finny. Life will never be the same.
Finn
Was that supposed to make me feel good?
Keeping it real while I wait for my Uber.
Georgia
Maddox is on the same page as Cage. He wants you to fix things with Lincoln, and he said to tell you that he refuses to take sides this time. Apparently, he gave his heart to me, but he gave a little bit of it to Lincoln.
Hugh
Lincoln has a big piece of my heart, too. I’m not going to lie.
Cage
He’s much nicer to me than you are, Brinks.
Hey! I never said anyone had to pick sides this time. We didn’t break up. I just needed to figure out my life.
Finn
Good. I got us BFF bracelets to wear to my premiere.
Cage
I just vomited in my mouth.
Finn
Because you were looking at Mr. Wigglestein’s oversized testicles?
Cage
No. Because you are a suck-up.
My Uber is here. I’ll text you jackasses later.
Cage
Make things right. We need him to put a ring on it and seal the deal.
Georgia
Go get your man, Brinks!
I chuckled and tucked my phone into my purse before sliding into the Uber. The drive to the swanky hotel was quick, and I knew Lincoln would be out of practice by now, and I wanted to surprise him.
Otherwise, I’d be sitting out in the hallway, waiting for him until he returned.
“Thank you,” I said to the driver as I hopped out of the car after he pulled beside the curb. Butterflies fluttered in my belly.
I’d barely slept, barely eaten, and barely functioned during our time apart. I’d thought about what I wanted in life, and it always came back to him.
After I’d allowed myself some time to sulk about my dream job being an enormous joke, everything became clear.
I’m my own person. I didn’t need to fear being overshadowed by my boyfriend’s fame, because only I could allow that to happen.
And I wasn’t that girl.
Not now. Not ever.
I was confident in who I was, and I wouldn’t allow my insecurities to get in the way of my happiness.
And he’d given me the time that I needed.
But now that I was here, I had no patience. I wanted to be with him right now.
I hurried to the front desk, admiring how nice the place was. There were crystal chandeliers hanging above. Black velvet couches with white floral arrangements were placed around the impressive lobby.
My hotel, where I’d left all my stuff this morning, was a few blocks away and not nearly as decadent as this place.
“Hello,” a woman greeted me. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and her red lips were perfectly lined.
“Hi. I’m Mrs. Jack Sparrow, and I’m here to check in. My husband arrived a few days ago,” I said, remembering that he’d booked the room under Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sparrow.
She raised a brow. “Do you have an ID?”
I went to pull out my driver’s license and realized it wouldn’t have the correct name on it. “I actually don’t have it with me.”
“Let me call up to the room,” she said.
“No!” I yelled, not meaning to say it quite as loud as it came out. The woman startled.
“Excuse me?”
“Sorry. I’m surprising my husband.”
“Okay.” She raised a brow. “Do you have a credit card or any sort of identification with your name on it, Mrs. Jack Sparrow?”
The way she said my name sounded very snarky, and I did not appreciate it.
“Let me ask you something,” I said, pausing to read her name tag. And wouldn’t you know, it was the name that Lou had called me one too many times. “Bailey.”
“Yes, Mrs. Sparrow?”
“Did you ask Mr. Jack Sparrow for his identification?”
“Well, I wasn’t working when he checked in. But I’m sure someone did. It’s hotel policy.”
“I actually doubt that. And let me tell you what my problem is with this situation,” I said, flailing my hands around. “Haven’t women been held to a different set of rules than men for long enough? Come on. Let’s join forces and agree to say: No more! Power of the woman, Bailey!” I shouted.
“Ma’am, I wouldn’t care if you were a man, a woman, or a turtle. If you want to check in to this hotel, you need to have identification.”
“Fine. Call the room. But just be aware that you have failed not only me but all women far and wide.” I raised a brow as I sulked at the counter.
“I can live with that.”
Damn. This was not going as planned.
But I didn’t even care.
I just wanted to see him.
And I didn’t want to wait another minute.