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“I’m not joking.” He placed his fingers beneath my chin and forced me to meet his gaze. “I fucking love you. I’m all in.”
I sucked in a breath. I could feel my eyes watering, and I blinked several times.
“What does that mean?” I whispered as a tear rolled down my cheek.
“Exactly what I said. I love you.”
I nodded as his thumb swiped across the moisture moving down my face.
“I love you so much it freaks me out,” I said, my voice trembling as the words left my mouth. “But I don’t know how this works after we leave this bubble, and that terrifies me.”
“Life is scary, baby. But I’ve got you. You don’t need to be afraid.”
“It’s different for you,” I said as he pulled me onto his lap.
“How so?”
“You’re in love with a regular person. I’m in love with Lincoln Hendrix, the GOAT of the NFL. There’s going to be women throwing themselves at you, and I don’t even know where I’ll be living. I have a few options on the table, but I’m leaning toward going withSports Today, which would mean I would live in San Francisco.”
“You’re thinking too much, sweetheart. We’ll figure it out. Other women won’t be throwing themselves at me because I won’t be looking. There’s only one woman I see. One woman that I want.”
“Maybe that’s because I’m the only one here in Cottonwood Cove. This bubble is going to pop, and the real world is going to be waiting for you.”
“Do you think I’m that guy? I’ve never cheated at anything in my life. I don’t take shortcuts. If this isn’t working, I’d have enough respect for you to talk to you about it first. I’d expect the same in return. I keep my circle small because I like it that way. But I’m loyal to the people that I love, and I think you know that deep down. Hell, I think you’re drawn to it. We’re similar that way.”
I nodded. He was right. I was the same way. I kept my circle small, and I was fiercely protective of the people that I loved, as well.
“I agree. But temptation will be there. The press will be hounding you again. Our lives won’t be private any longer.”
“I didn’t say it would be easy, but it’ll be worth it. And if you end up in San Francisco, I’ll fly out to see you or fly you out to see me as much as we can. I’ve got access to planes, and we’ll make it work. People do it all the time.”
I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation.
That we’d both been completely honest about how we felt.
It was scary and exhilarating all at the same time.
“So, we’re doing this?”
“I’d say we don’t have a choice at this point. There’s no turning back now. I’m too far gone,” he said, and he wrapped his arms tighter around me.
He was right.
We were both too far gone.
* * *
“You are such a traitor. You’ve only known him for a few months, and you’re cheering for him over your own sister?”
“Correct,” Cage said dryly, and everyone laughed.
We’d come to Maddox and Georgia’s house because Hugh and Lila had met their wedding planner over here to discuss the final details for their wedding, and we’d stopped by to see everyone. Cage and Gracie were out running errands, so they’d stopped by, as well. Finn was doing the final scenes forBig Sky Ranch,and he’d been working a lot lately.
Of course, once we’d shown up, that led to Georgia insisting we play pickleball. Let’s just say that Lincoln Hendrix may be amazing with a football, but I did play volleyball for a long time. And with my sister being oddly talented at the sport of pickleball, she’d taught me a thing or two.
He and I had gone at it for the last hour, and he’d managed to edge me out, all with the annoying cheering from my oldest brother.
“I cheers for Auntie Brinks and Links!” Gracie shouted.
