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“Good answer.”
We ran in silence for a few minutes before we turned the corner near Main Street, and he spoke. “Did you grow up here?”
“Yep. I’ve lived here my whole life, aside from my time away at school. I played collegiate volleyball for four years and then moved to San Francisco to be close to home after I graduated.”
“That explains the running skills,” he said. “Do you want to move back to the city?”
“Um, you just had your question. It’s my turn. Aren’t you the small talk expert?”
He laughed. “Touché. Go ahead.”
“Are you really going to Cottonwood High School next week to help Brandy surprise Lionel?” I asked because Brandy had cornered my brother and me last night when we were leaving Reynolds’ and told us about her surprise.
“Yes. I like Lionel. He’s a good kid.”
“Yeah. He really is. He’s had it rough.”
“How so?” he asked.
“His dad ran off with some woman when he was, like, five years old. It’s always just been him and his mom. He works at the restaurant to help her pay the bills. He was hoping to get a football scholarship, but nothing’s panned out yet, so he’s probably going to go to community college here in town.”
Lincoln was quiet. Like he was processing my words.
“I know he’s a kicker. Is he any good?”
“I’ve never seen him play, but my brother, Hugh, and his fiancée, Lila, went to all his games this season, and they said he was really good. But it’s a small town. He wasn’t on anyone’s radar, and his mom didn’t really know how to go about helping him put himself out there. Lila had him reach out to a few college coaches, but he hasn’t heard anything yet.”
“It’s a tough road. First, you’re fighting for a college scholarship, then you’re trying to get drafted.”
“Says the guy who probably had endless scholarship offers and got drafted before he graduated from college.”
“Wrong. I started playing at a small college in the Midwest. It was the only one that wanted me and offered me money. And then I transferred into a bigger program.”
I knew he’d graduated from the University of Alabama, but I hadn’t realized he’d transferred in. So much about him was unknown.
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s not something I talk about. I also didn’t go in the first round of the draft. Hell, I barely went in the second round. No one expected much from me, but that only made me work harder. That’s public knowledge, so I’m guessing you know that.”
“I did. Is the college stuff on the record for me to share?” I asked as we turned the corner, moving onto the strand, the path that ran along the water, and he picked up the pace.
“No. It’s all small talk, sweetheart. If you want it on the record, you’ll have to ask it again as one of your three questions.” He chuckled as he glanced over. “I’m the house at the end of the path. Let’s go.”
I pumped my arms as hard as I could as we sprinted along the water, and I gasped for air.
I couldn’t feel my legs, and when we came to a stop, I dry heaved when I bent over to catch my breath. It was a little mortifying when a loud burp escaped, and a large hand came down on my back.
I barely felt it, but it was there. He patted me a few times. “Too much?”
I pushed to stand and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Never.”
“Come on. Let’s get you hydrated.” I followed him as he walked around the side yard and led me to the back door.
Wow. The house was right on the water.
“Is this your house?” I asked as I stepped inside and took in the dark wood beams on the ceiling, which matched the floors. We’d come in through the back door and entered through the kitchen and family room.
“No. This is my agent’s house.”
