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“She did?”
“Yes. Remember I know Bea from back in Pittsburgh when she dated Rob. I would have been someone she would have asked anyway. She knew you wouldn’t want to because of our history.”
“She shouldn’t have asked because of our history.”
“It would have hurt my feelings if neither of you asked.”
“I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“I’m not pressured. If it’s what you want. If that’s your dream, then I want to support you. You’re helping me do this. I can help you do something for yourself.”
Him saying that makes it so much harder to say the next part.
“I’ll be moving away at the end of the season.”
“But I’ve got you for a whole season first.” He offers up a small smile.
“That’s true.”
“So then we do what we can with the time we’ve got.”
28
Quentin
When we get to Seattle,we drop our stuff off at the hotel and quickly hop back into our rental car to head to Joss’s, a friend of Madison’s. She’s the photographer who’s taking the photos for my tech company sponsorship, some sort of deal Madison’s set up for us, so we have some editorial control of the content. The tech company was more than happy to agree to it because Joss Marks-St. George is apparently famous and has worked with athletes and celebrities the world over. I haven’t heard of her, but I’ve also never had this kind of sponsorship before. This is all Madison and her magic.
I’m nervous coming here, not because of the photos but because we’re about to jump straight into Tobias and Xander’s world. Joss’s husband, Colt, is their quarterback and from what Madison has told me, a very good friend of theirs. They’re also all friends with Madison and I have no idea how much theyknow about our past. She’s only warned me that they don’t know anything about our present and she wants to keep it that way rather than involve more people in the web of secrets we’re all currently entangled in.
So I’m preparing myself for a potentially icy reception and a very long awkward day. One that will turn into an awkward weekend when Madison meets up with Bea and goes to Xander’s engagement party tomorrow while I stay at that hotel before we fly back. She offered to book me earlier but I wanted to be here with her as long as I could. Especially if it meant we got some time away from prying eyes on the team and in her family. But also because I want another chance for us to talk.
I surreptitiously glance over at Madison as we wait at the door. Ever since I confessed to her she’s been quieter, more closed off. I can tell her wheels are turning, and she’s still processing everything. I’m trying to give her the space she needs and not suffocate her while she works through it, but she has me worried. So once we get through the job obligations today, I’m hoping to take her to dinner and talk more tonight.
When the dooropens a woman with long black hair and brilliant green eyes answers, grinning brightly and then jumping forward and wrapping her arms around Madison.
“Mads! I’ve missed you so much! How are you? Flight okay?”
“It was fine. Took a while to get off the tarmac because of the weather between but we made it.”
“Well, I’m so glad you survived. I hate flying but it’s a necessary evil, I guess.” She lets Madison go and then turns to me. She extends her hand and I take it. “And you must be the infamous Quentin Undergrove.”
“I don’t know about infamous, but yes.”
“You will be by the time I’m done with you. Turn around fora second.” She motions as she lets my hand go, and I reluctantly circle around. “Yeah, I see why they wanted him. They gave me a list of the shots they want. You willing to strip down a little?”
“I suppose. I let the boss here decide most of those things, and I just do what she says.”
“Oh, that’s cute.” Joss flashes a look I can’t quite read to Madison, and Madison tilts her head and narrows her eyes as a result. “Well, come on in. I made some margaritas. The boys are inside.”
“The boys?” Madison asks as we walk into the cottage-style house. It’s smaller than I would expect knowing how much money Colt makes. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league—if not the best—and he’s off his rookie contract and making real money now. A fuckton of it. So I’m surprised that they don’t live in a sprawling mansion somewhere outside the city or on Mercer Island. But the walls and space are covered in artwork and photos, every square inch littered with the kind of personality that makes my loft back home feel like a blank slate in comparison.
“Colt and Nick. They’re playing video games in the game room downstairs next to the studio. I thought Tobias would be over, but I guess he and Scarlett had somewhere to be today. Sorry.”
“Oh, no that’s probably for the best.” Madison flashes a look at me. “Tobias doesn’t know I’m here on business too. Just thinks I’m going to be here for the engagement party so…”
“Really? Why not tell him?” Joss asks.
“Well… Quentin, Xander, and Tobias don’t have the best history. It’s a long story.”
