Page 31 of Hello Quarterback

A pit grew in my stomach. “You don’t have to—” I began.

But he shook his head. “She’s your first girlfriend since college. I have to give her the official Madigan welcome.”

I gritted my teeth into an echo of a smile. “Great.”

We walked together down the thinning hallway, and even though Dad wore his Diamonds shirt, he paired it with blue jeans and cowboy boots like he always did. Sometimes, like now, I missed Mom more, feeling her absence just because of his presence.

But I didn’t have room to dwell on it because Dad said, “Gage introduced you two?”

I nodded.

Dad’s smile crinkled his face. “Seems like yesterday y’all were playing together in the creek. Hard to believe you’re all grown with jobs of your own now.”

It was true. Time really did fly. Unless you were bringing your dad to meet your fake girlfriend and hoping the person who knew you best in the whole world wouldn’t call you out on the charade.

We reached the executive box—the most expensive one the Diamonds offered. And for some strange reason, my heart rate ramped up. Had to be nerves because Dad was here. This was a mistake—introducing him to my fake girlfriend.

I was about to tell him I’d forgotten something in the locker room, backpedal faster than I even did in the game, when Tallie came out and said, “Ford, there you are!”

19

MIA

Fordand an older man just a couple inches shorter than him walked into the suite. Immediately, I spotted the resemblance between them—broad shoulders, high cheekbones, noses like Roman statues, and blue eyes that welcomed you in like the scent of an apple pie wafting out a window in springtime.

Except instead of a football uniform, the older man wore broken-in denim and boots with a purple Diamonds T-shirt.

I smiled at both of the men as Tallie led them into the suite.

My gaze connected with Ford’s, and his tense expression spoke volumes. This man mattered to him.

When Tallie brought them close enough, Ford said, “Mia, this is my dad, Grayson Madigan.”

I smiled, extending my hand to him. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Madigan.”

His hand was worn and calloused as it firmly grasped mine. “You too, Mia. You can call me Gray.”

I dipped my head in understanding. “What did you think of the game?”

Pride brightened all of Gray’s features, making him look at least ten years younger. “Oh, it was great. Don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing my little boy as a football star.”

Color tinged Ford’s cheeks. “Dad.”

I had to chuckle at how cute he was when he was embarrassed.

Gray shook his head at his son. “What? It’s true.”

Ford gave his dad an exasperated smile, but you could still see in his eyes how much he admired the man. Before I could respond, Tallie stepped in, saying, “Mia, the car is ready.”

“Great,” I replied as Ford said, “We’ll walk you down.”

The three of us headed toward the elevators as I asked Gray, “What do you do for work?”

Gray removed his Diamonds ballcap, scratching the back of his head. “I run our family ranch. We have a couple hundred head of cattle. And a few horses.”

“And one old dog,” Ford added.

I smiled. “Bet it’s peaceful out there.”

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