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“Great. Yet another saying Mrs. Appleton will have to speak to me about. Thanks for that,” Cage grumped, and more laughter erupted around the table.
I was still on edge just knowing that my nemesis was here in Cottonwood Cove. Hopefully, he’d gotten the hint, and he’d gotten the hell out of town after our run-in a few days ago.
“Well, we support whatever you want to do,” my mom said, putting an arm around my shoulder. “I like the idea of you being home while you figure it all out.”
“You don’t think you can make freelancing work?” my father asked.
“I think someday, down the road, it will be an option, but not yet. I do think it’s time to make the leap to a bigger organization. One that isn’t allowed to mistreat their employees. I just need to find a really good story and sell it so I can get my name out there.”
“There’s that hotshot hockey player that everyone’s talking about. Why don’t you talk to Hawk?” Cage asked. Our cousin, Everly, was married to one of the best hockey players of all time. He was no longer playing, but he coached and was very involved with the team, not to mention the fact that he knew every player out there.
“That’s an idea. I never want to bother him with this stuff, but I could use some help to get my foot in the door.”
“I still think that article you wrote about Hawk when he retired was your best work,” my sister said.
“Thanks, Georgie. I was proud of that one. That’s what I need. Something big to get their attention and see what I’m capable of.”
“You can do it, Auntie Brinks,” Gracie said, clapping her hands together again. “And it’s on our dreams board.”
“Thank you, my little angel.” I blew her a kiss.
We spent the next hour getting filled in on Lila and Hugh’s upcoming wedding, which would be taking place at Georgia and Maddox’s home. We were all going to be bridesmaids along with Lila’s best friends, Del, Rina, and Sloane. Gracie was going to be the flower girl, and we’d all gushed over Gracie’s dress that Lila showed us on her phone. The time was ticking as it was only a little over two months away.
Georgia and Maddox let us know that they had also made their decision, and their wedding was going to be small. They wanted just family and close friends, and they were having their ceremony and reception in Paris.
Ah… the life of a billionaire.
Finn told us about a scene he did yesterday where he was going too fast and almost got bucked off a horse. He said Jessica came running out to help him, and he waggled his brows as he shared the story with us. His new show was going to premiere in a few months, and we were all excited for his breakout role. We were thrilled that we were going to get to view one episode early at my parents’ house. He’d been acting for several years, but he was the lead in this new Netflix series,Big Sky Ranch, and everyone was talking about it. It was still surreal, thinking about my brother being a movie star.
Cage went on a rant about a few clients that were super high maintenance and had called him at home after hours for ridiculous reasons. Life as a small-town veterinarian was endlessly entertaining, at least for the siblings of the doctor.
My parents just listened happily, thrilled with all the exciting things coming up. I felt a bit like the weak link at the moment. I’d lost my job. I was living in my sister’s rental house, trying to pretend to be an organic farmer-slash-freelance reporter. I needed to go home and find a story. Start creating my future. It wasn’t going to just happen. I needed to make it happen. I sent a quick text to my cousin’s husband, Hawk, as we all finished up dinner.
Hey, Hawk. I don’t know if Ever told you, but I’m between jobs. I’m looking for a good story. Something big. Do you think you could get me a meeting with Breen Lockhart? Or do you know anyone else that I could interview?
I watched as the three little dots moved around the screen and chuckled when a picture came through of Everly, Hawk, and their two adorable kiddos’ faces all pressed together.
Hawk
Hi, Brinks! We’re all sending our love. Unfortunately, the hottest topic in sports right now is Lincoln Hendrix and where he’s going to play, but I’m guessing you don’t want to talk to him right now.
My cousins all knew that I hated the guy after that whole press conference fiasco. The public wasn’t aware of all the gory details, but my family, and most of the people in Cottonwood Cove, all seemed to know about my current situation.
Word always traveled fast in small towns.
But as gossipy as they were—they were equally protective of the people who lived here.
Yeah. That’s a hard no. Unless he wanted to give me his story, which isn’t likely considering the man hates me as much as I hate him.
Hawk
I’m still surprised by that because, as I told you, I’ve known him for years, and he’s normally a really good guy, Brinks. But the media attention does get overwhelming, so it sounds like he lost his patience.
Oh, I’m sorry. I was just looking for my tiny violin. Poor Lincoln Hendrix… He’s the hottest thing in the NFL, he makes more money in a week than most will make in their lifetime, and he was number three on The Sexiest Man Alive list this year. I feel so bad for him.
Hawk
I get it. He did you wrong. Hell hath no fury like a Thomas or a Reynolds girl scorned. I can get you a meeting with Breen, but you need to watch your back. He’s not my favorite. He’s cocky, and he’s a playboy, so be prepared. But he’ll do it. He loves the attention.
