“Well, I mean it’s just a meeting. Of course I’m gonna see him in action and everything before we make the final decision.”
“But you’re ok with talking about this…so soon?”
“The draft will be here in a couple weeks, Brett. If we don’t grab him up, someone else will. You know how it is.”
Brett just nodded but Madi could see that he was still mulling it over. “Hey,” she said as she shot up and stood in front of him. “Are you ok with this?”
“I’m fine. I just…”
“I know it’s gonna be hard. I’m sorry.” She rested her hand on his forearm and stroked him there lightly.
Brett gave her a weak smile. “Who?”
“Quillan Layton. He used to play for Baltimore.”
“I remember him. Hell of a player. We won’t regret signing him.”
Madi smiled, and Brett returned it.
“You sure you’re alright?” he asked again and moved to unfold his arms, a hand coming up to her cheek.
Madi simply nodded and smiled back, getting one out of Brett. “Let’s take a run, then we’ll go look for hidden treasure. I wanna know what it feels like to be a pirate.”
With that Brett nodded and gave her a hearty laugh.
Hours later, Val and Linc were there with their adorable twin boys and everyone was on the beach, laughing, playing Nerf football, and listening to Bob Marley telling everyone to not worry and be happy. They all were simply enjoying this sunny day they’d been blessed with. The guys were sipping beers from the cooler, save for Linc, and the girls were drinking “mocktails.” Madi knew Val didn’t drink when Linc was around. He’d been an addict and alcoholic following the death of their daughter, Marly. When he’d given it up after trying to kill himself year before last, Val didn’t permit the stuff in the house; she only drank when he didn’t witness it. In her words, “If it’s there, the temptation to pick it back up always will be.” So, she’d eliminated that temptation. Although, Madi sensed that it wouldn’t matter; Linc would never do anything to jeopardize what he had with Val and the baby boys he adored.
Madi and Brett had gone scuba-diving alone after their run this morning, leaving Trav and Sky the house to themselves—of which she was sure they’d done it on every counter, knowing those two. She hadn’t found any treasure inside the old ship that rested in a watery grave fifty yards beneath the surface, save for an old Spanish coin. She’d been permitted to keep it, much to her delight. She was going to have it polished and appraised, not for monetary value, but for the fact that she loved history—especially when it came to nautical things. Exploring that shipwreck had been fun and a bit eerie. Seeing the ocean bed and sea life claim the centuries-old wreckage had been magical and a bit spooky. Madi had enjoyed every minute of it alongside her diving companion, who seemed to be as in awe of it as she had.
“Lennox, haul it over here, son. You need more sunscreen,” Linc scolded even as he chased the cackling baby boy who was waddling toward his “Uncle Travis.” His deep brown skin glistened in the bright sun that reflected off his neon green swim trunks.
Travis grabbed Len up and swung him around, making noises like an airplane, and getting giggles out of the adorable, curly-haired baby boy.
It was easy to laugh with the toddlers running around, all carefree and innocent. It lightened Madi’s heart and even her mood, especially when Lofton crawled over to Brett and began pouring sand on his legs, getting a laugh out of the moodier one of the two twins. When Lofton leaned in to hug Brett, for no apparent reason, everyone gave an, “Awww.”
“He never loves on anyone, save his mum, Brett. You should feel privileged,” Valeria said, her Aussie, gold skin soaking up the rays beneath her white bikini.
Lofton surprised them further when he attempted to share his sippy cup with Brett, too. Even Brett gave a hearty laugh. Seeing him with the baby made Madi swoon even harder than she already had been. Once again, she was reminded of the fact that she was even further from having a child of her own with Hunter now gone. She was twenty-eight, soon to be twenty-nine, and her biological clock had begun to tick louder and louder. Great timing too, by the way!
“I’m sorry.” Val patted Madi’s leg as Brett and the men moved to the ocean to wash the sand off the boys, so Val could reapply their sunscreen. “We can go if they’re bothering you. Sky told me about…”
Madi wiped the tears that ran down her face and vigorously shook her head. “No! Don’t you dare. They’re wonderful. I’m so glad y’all are here. They make me laugh and…”
“And cry!” Val stated pointing to her face. “C’mere you.” Valeria pulled Madi in for a tight hug and kissed her cheek when she pulled back. “I’m sorry you aren’t pregnant, Mad.”
Madison shook her head and smiled at a frowning Skyla. “It’s ok. Really. I’ll be fine. I’m still on my period, so that doesn’t help with these emotions.” Madi fanned her face, trying to breathe.
“Why don’t you ask Brett if he’ll do the deed?” Sky winked over at Madi. “I don’t think he would mind at all giving you a child.” She looked over to Brett then, who was frowning back at Madi. “I swear, they have a language all their own.”
“So, I’ve noticed. How long have you two been in love, Madi?” Val asked.
Madi literally scoffed. “What are you talking about?”
Sky rolled her eyes beneath a big straw hat planted atop her wavy, red hair, “Please! That man only sees you. How can you be so blind?”
“No, it’s not like that. It’s—”
“But it is like that. It always has been, hasn’t it?” Val asked and patted Madi’s arm. “It’s alright. He’ll confess in time, love. I’m sure he’s simply biding his time.”
“Want us to get you drunk so you can make your move on him? He’s just itching for a reason to hike that sorry excuse for a skirt up and take you. Trust me, I know that look all too well.” Sky bit into her lip as Travis made a kissy face back at her, his chiseled muscles rippling as he swung Lennox around like a rag doll.
“Gross,” Madi feigned disgust, “I hope you two Lysol-ed the counters off after you defiled them.”
“Of course, the table too. The couch was a bit harder to clean though.” Sky winked and put her finger to her lips in a shush gesture.
“Wow, so it is true what they say about redheads,” Val smirked over at Sky, who bobbed her brows.
“I dunno, blondes are supposed to have more fun,” Sky stated back, flicking Val’s blonde pony-tail, and they all laughed, even Madi.
“Seriously though, let’s get them drunk so they can bone,” Val insisted and handed Madi a pre-mixed margarita from the nearby Yeti cooler. “That’s exactly what this Sheila needs. A good shag in the worst way.”
“We could at least wait til she’s off her period, Val.” Sky wrinkled her nose. “But there is always shower sex.” Sky rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
Madi couldn’t remember the last time she’d had shower sex. The last several times she’d even done it, she’d had to monitor her temperature, ovulation, cycles, and plan it out like a football route. It had felt more like a trial for a lab than a sexual encounter. Madi frowned and looked down. “I dunno. It’s not like it’d matter,” she grumbled.
“What do you mean?”
“In college, I made a move on him. He didn’t…” she gulped the disappointment down.
“Come again?” Sky asked, surprise lacing her voice.
“He, uh, well…we made out. It was hot. Really hot but then…he stopped.”
“Well, there had to be a damn good reason for it,” Val insisted, brows shooting up beneath her dark sunglasses.
“Well, I mean, I made him think I was drunk.” Madi felt her cheeks flush as red as Sky’s red bikini then.
“Why?” she asked and pulled at Madi’s hand so she’d look at her.
“I was trying to get us away from the party. I wanted him alone,” Madi confessed.
“Well, that’s why he stopped, silly. He thou
ght he was taking advantage of you.”
“I dunno,” Madi argued.
“Madison Thomas, look at me. As much of a gentleman as Brett is, he would never take advantage of you. I bet he always opens the door for you, holds an umbrella over your head, walks to your outside. He’s probably even leery about his language in front of you, am I wrong?” Sky asked, and Madi shook her head. “There, ya see. He would never publicly grope you and, even behind closed doors, he wouldn’t force himself on you if he thought you were shit-faced drunk!”
It all made sense; Sky was right. How had she ever been so stupid? She’d been so sure of how Brett felt about her that she’d underestimated his moral code. Of course he wouldn’t allow their first time together to be a drunken roll in the hay.
“So, he’s a good kisser, huh?” Val asked and shoved at Madi’s shoulder.
“Oh, stop it. She’s a recent widow; she needs some time.”
And it was true; as handsome as Brett was, she wasn’t ready to jump right into another relationship. It was too soon. The death of her husband was too new. She was still mourning him and would be for a while longer. But that didn’t dampen the fact that there was hope for a future with Brett.
Madi smiled big for the first time in a long time. Her life wasn’t over, as much as she’d told herself it was in the beginning. She wasn’t going to be alone. She was going to be okay.
Much to Brett’s dismay, they left Cancun sooner than he thought Madi needed to. But her spirits seemed high and she seemed really excited to meet Quillan Layton, their potential new TE at week’s end. Langley had seen him on television and called Brett, worrying about his position. Brett had reassured him; besides, it was out of his hands anyway. Just because Brett was the QB didn’t mean he got to call the shots. Even Madi, as CEO, didn’t have full run of everything—nor did her dad, the owner. Although they each had a fair amount of pull…and Brett did too, if he were being honest with himself.
Brett enjoyed his vacation with Madi; snorkeling, swimming, working out, and generally just having no set plans. But it was now April; off-season training would be starting, and it would be back to the grindstone. Practice would be on him soon enough, and Brett wanted to get back to what he loved—football.
It had been fun hanging out with Trav and Sky, Linc and Val and the babies even if they’d only stayed the weekend. Madi and Brett had spent the next six days alone, and Brett had silently gone back to his room when Trav and Sky left that Sunday. Madi seemed fine either way, which disappointed Brett a little. She also seemed more content than she had before they’d left for Cancun, something he was grateful for. He was glad he’d been right to bring her there, it was good for her mental health and well-being. She was better being away from the house that reminded her she was a widow, alone and childless.
Even now, he begged her to come back to his house with him. She kindly declined.
“I need closure, Brett. I’m ok now. I can take it from here.”
Was she dismissing him? Had he missed his chance? Was she saying she didn’t need him?
“I love you. Thank you for everything.” Madi leaned in and kissed his cheek, lingering there for a time before taking his hand.
Why did this feel like she was saying goodbye? He gulped. And tried to stop himself from panicking. “I’ll be around, if you need anything, call me.”
“You know I will. I just need to be alone right now. I love you.” She told him again.
“I love you, Sunflower. So very much.” He pulled her to him for a tight hug and held her close, propelling his strength into her.
When she finally pulled back, Brett felt his heart fluttering. He’d been with her for weeks now, slept in the bed with her, had her close by, this was going to be difficult, not being with her constantly. She seemed to feel it too, and reluctantly let his hand go. She gave him a soft smile and turned, heading into the house. Brett had already taken her luggage up to her room, so he was left useless. He nodded and headed back to his vehicle.
He was leaving for California tomorrow to give a speech and film a commercial. He’d be there in LA for a few days before attending the mini-camp he’d scheduled for disabled kids next week back in Atlanta. He’d be missing Madison like crazy before he got to see her again.
He couldn’t wait to see her again… God, he was pathetic.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Madi spent the next three days alone combing through Hunter’s things, having multiple bawling sessions, and drinking wine at night as she watched sappy movies that reminded her of him. She knew her mom and sister—and Brett—were worried. Every one of them had texted her, including Val and Skyla, but she reassured them all that she was fine. And, she was; she just needed time to adjust and let go.
She and Brooke went to lunch the following day and for mani/pedis. Life was returning to normal, she could feel it. It had been over a month since Hunter was gone but each day was getting a little easier, her heart lighter, her head more focused.
On Saturday, she returned to Gladiators Headquarters and got hugs from all the staff there. They welcomed her back, and she felt good meeting with the new defensive coordinator, the rest of the coaches, and newest members of their organization who’d been called to their meeting that day. Her father and their GM, Josh O’Connell, were glad to have her back; they were eager for her meeting with Quillan Layton tomorrow, and she was too—eager and anxious. Now that the day was almost upon them, she was starting to feel her gut tighten to meet the man who might potentially replace Hunt.
Quil was a powerhouse; she’d seen his film highlights Scoop had gotten together. He looked promising as both a TE and a WR, and she knew he would fill either position well. His numbers were impressive as Lathem had said, eighty-five receptions for eleven hundred yards and eight touchdowns. He was going to be a force to be reckoned with.
“Another god of the gridiron,” Madi said with a laugh. Now to figure out a title for him; she’d let the guys handle that for they were so good with the nicknames.
She went home and cried that night, talking to Hunter in their bed as if he were still with her. She told him how much she missed him, his laugh, his banter, even his cockiness. She felt lonely and alone. At one point, she considered calling Brett and begging him to come back. He’d been right, this house wasn’t good for her, too many memories, too much left unspoken between her and Hunt. She’d gotten mad and yelled at Hunter then, letting her emotions run their course for, perhaps if she did, it would start the next stage of the grieving process.
Madi was late to work the following morning, feeling groggy and depleted, despite that Sundays weren’t really her regular days in the off-season. She tried to keep her days in line with the players, Tuesdays being her off-days. She lived, ate, and breathed work. It was her life, and now it was what would keep her sane and grounded.
Her eyes were puffier than usual from the crying she’d done, her head foggy from the wine she’d consumed last night, and she wasn’t as focused. She’d taken her time getting ready; showering longer, taking more time to apply her makeup, and stopping at Starbucks to get the largest coffee she could. Her secretary, Kathryn, just smiled at her as Madi strolled in, hiding behind a big pair of Oakley sunglasses.
She peeled them off as she approached her desk and sat down in her large leather executive chair. After logging onto her computer, she texted Quillan’s agent, Chan, that she’d arrived and apologized for running behind.
Chan: No worries. We’re on our way now. See you in ten.
Madi got on her phone, calling her father so he could be in attendance, too.
She was heading up the elevator to his office to greet him when her phone buzzed.
Brett: I’m home :-) Wanna do lunch?
Madi couldn’t contain her smile and texted back with, “Absolutely! Meet me here at noon. :-*.”
She hugged her father, who complemented her dress—a simple, crimson Vera Wang V-neck. She thanked him, and they entered the boardroom with just enough time t
o get seated before Quillan and Chan joined them.
She was unprepared for the six-foot-six-inch dreamboat clad in a gray suit and blue tie who walked through the door. She even came close to stumbling as she moved forward to shake his hand, but was able to right herself just in time to keep from launching herself into his chest.
Quillan Layton was tall, deeply tanned, dark, and gorgeous. He had eyes the color of caramel, jet black hair, thick eyebrows and a trim beard that covered a square jaw.
“Mr. Layton, it’s a pleasure.” Her father stated, looking up to the tight end.
“I assure you, Mr. Taylor, the pleasure is all mine.” Quil shook her father’s hand then turned to Madi, giving her a bright smile that made her knees weak.
“This is my daughter, our CEO and VP, Madison Thomas.”
“Wow, you’re even more beautiful in person, Mrs. Thomas. I was so sorry to hear about Hunter. Truly.”
Madi’s heart tore at his words. Would she ever get used to hearing people apologize for the death of her husband? She shook it off and smiled back. “Thank you, Mr. Layton. And my condolences on the death of your wife, as well.” She gave him a look that only the victims of loss can understand. He held her gaze for a moment before giving her a subtle nod.
“Please, call me Quil, señora.” His handshake was firm before he pulled his hand back, and Madi motioned for them to sit.
Her father started the conversation off thanking them for reaching out, stating how grateful he was, talking about the stats of their team and all the necessary jargon before he gave the floor over to Madi.
Madi then proceeded to run down her mental checklist, asking what Quil needed from the team, what he planned to contribute, how long he planned to stay, where he saw himself in the coming years, etc.
Quillan informed them that he was a single father who’d planned to stay home with his daughter until she inspired him to come back. She’d been diagnosed as a baby with a rare blood disorder that required her to be in the hospital frequently. Her strength in fighting this condition had made him realize he wasn’t quite done in the NFL. It was amazing how much hope Madi took from his words, and she found herself tearing up as he talked about his love for his child. He simply wanted another chance to prove himself on the gridiron. He knew their team was all about family and wanted to be a part of what they were doing.
FALSE START (Gods of the Gridiron Book 2) Page 9
