Page 126 of Mad Rivals
“Can we take you to lunch?” my mother asks.
“I actually have lunch plans with a client,” I say apologetically, not mentioning that Grace feels like a friend in some ways already. “But I’d love to do dinner if you’re free. Maybe with Madden, too?”
“I think that would be nice,” my father says, and I’m shocked that he says it genuinely and not begrudgingly.
Shortly after that, I head to lunch with Grace, who’s already waiting in a booth for me when I arrive. She gets up to greet me with a hug, and we chat a bit about her vineyard. Once the food arrives, I say, “So as a football wife, tell me everything I need to know.”
She laughs. “Honestly? Patience and understanding go a long way, and so does having something of your own to focus on when he’s in season. I lucked out with Spencer, though. He’s my other half, truly. He helps me with the vineyards, and he’s kind and logical and so, so smart.” She shrugs. “He makes sure to call me every day when we’re apart, and he prioritizes us over everything else. And we love building Lego sets together.”
“That’s so sweet,” I say, leaning back into the booth.
Shepulls her phone out. “You have to meet my sister-in-law, too. She’s married to the quarterback, and it’s her first season with a player.”
My brows dip. “She’s married to him, and it’s her first season?”
“He was out all last season with a knee injury, but he’s back. She’s so excited.”
“I’d love to meet her. I’d love to meet everyone. I guess I’m diving headfirst into this new world.”
“Hell yeah, you are!” she says, and we both laugh as we high-five.
I feel like I made my first genuine friend in this town. I’m starting to find my own way, and it really feels like everything is falling into place.
When Madden gets home, I attack him with a kiss the second he walks through the door, and he laughs.
“This is sure a nice way to arrive home,” he says, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me close.
“How was training camp today?” I ask.
“Great, actually. It felt incredible being back on the field, and it wasn’t as intense as next week will be. It was more meeting the rookies and meetings with the coaches. I feel energized.”
“Good. I’m glad you feel that way because I sort of agreed to dinner with my parents tonight.”
“Oh,” he says. “No worries, I’ll find something.”
“No. It’s a celebration dinner, and I want you to come with.”
He wrinkles his nose. “Won’t that be awkward?”
“Yes. Awkward as fuck. But if we’re really considering a future together, we better get started on smoothing out that path now.” I shrug and twist my lips.
He grins. “Touché. Let’s go.”
I love how he’s up for anything, and we slip into the car and head toward the restaurant my mother made reservations at.
And when I get to the table, I’m shocked to see Clem and Lance sitting there. “Ahh! Clem!” I scream, and she laughs as she jumps out of her chair and tackles me with a hug.
Thanks to having my best friend there with her boyfriend, the meal turns out not to be awkward at all. I’m not sure why my dad made such a quick turnaround, but he pulls me aside as everyone else walks out of the restaurant, and it all sort of clicks together.
“Madden seems like a good guy,” he says quietly.
“He’s the best.”
“When I saw him back out of Newman for you, I had a good feeling about him. But when he came by the house and said he stayed away because of his father’s activities, I knew he was a good man. I know it feels like this was a quick turnaround on my part, but it wasn’t. It took me a long time to come around. I see how he has so much potential, and I think you and him working together and merging the two companies could be incredible for your future.”
I give my father a hug. That’s as much a blessing as I’ll ever get from him, and even though I didn’t need it, it still means a lot.
CHAPTER 55: Madden Bradley
