He hadn’t been expecting for Amelia to oust him before he had a chance to tell Madi himself but, then again, he wasn’t surprised. Amelia was anything if not blunt.
“I’ve never been to Cancun,” Madi said softly, still gazing out at the clear night, drawing Brett from his thoughts.
“Me either, believe it or not.”
“How long will it take for us to get there?”
“A little over an hour and forty-five minutes; Linc’s property isn’t far from the airstrip there.”
“Oh wow. That’s fast.”
“Yup. We’ll be there to hear the ocean as we sleep tonight.” Brett smiled big, drawing one out of her. She’d always loved the beach. He remembered the many trips they’d taken together to one of their favorite vacation destinations—Panama City Beach, Florida. They’d been at least once, sometimes twice, a year almost every year until she’d gotten married and the traditions stopped. He’d been happy for the girl he loved, but he’d also been insanely jealous and melancholy while she’d promised herself to another man right in front of him. It had been the second worst day of his life. Being the best man in Hunter’s wedding and watching the woman he was in love with marry another man had put a giant stake through his heart. But he couldn’t take her happiness from her. It had been what she wanted, and who was he to stand in her way? He’d drank himself literally under a table where he’d stayed the remainder of the trip.
Afterward, he came home and told himself that was it. It was time to finally move on and find a woman whom he could love in Madi’s shadow. But, as much as he tried, his heart had never been able to heal. He was doomed to love no other. Each time he tried, he wound up hurting someone else as much as he was hurting himself. A year ago, he simply stopped trying.
Now, here he was, grateful—despite his blame—that God had given him another shot at being with Madison Hope Taylor. He just had to bide his time. He sure as hell didn’t wanna be her rebound guy, so he had to play his cards right and be patient. Good thing Brett McFadden knew everything there was to know about the term.
They pulled up to the airstrip, not far from his house, where Max greeted them with a tip of the hat.
“Mr. McFadden.” He smiled and settled behind the wheel as Brett moved to Madi’s side of the car and helped her out. “Enjoy your trip.”
“Thanks, Max,” Brett said and closed the door.
Brett moved toward the plane with Madi’s arm looped through his as Max pulled off in the truck. “You ready?” he asked and got a nod out of her.
They moved up the airstair of the Cessna luxury jet Brett had purchased years ago. The pilot and co-pilot greeted them, and Brett gave them a salute and thanked them. He always made sure to be appreciative of the people who made his life a little easier.
Madi moved to the couch opposite his and pulled a blanket across her legs as the stewardess came by and asked if they wanted anything. Brett requested a scotch; he hated flying even if this was going to be a short trip.
Within about ten minutes, they were in the air, and Brett pulled his phone out, checking his emails while Madi turned the television on to watch a movie.
He had some texts from Linc, Trav, Pax, and Coach Cavanaugh; he answered them all, thanking Linc again for the house. He didn’t have any commitments aside from some endorsements and events he needed to be in attendance for in Atlanta come May. Brett always tried to keep busy during off season, staying healthy and in shape. He didn’t understand the guys who let themselves go only to get killed come time to get back in. They’d blink and football season would be back; it always went by so fast. He’d be needed, starting in June, for meetings and practice, although those weren’t mandatory til July. He also used this time to catch up on sleep, hobbies, and the few shows he watched. After all, some downtime was as essential as working out was. And right now, following Hunt’s death, he was seeing that people had to focus on the simple things in life and enjoy the good while it lasted.
He looked over at Madi after tossing his phone beside him and sipped his scotch. She was almost asleep, and he grinned; she’d never been able to sit still for long. She was like him; they were both athletes. If they weren’t working—and working hard—they were sleeping.
Madi had been a football cheerleader and tennis player back in both middle and high school. She’d trained her whole life. Workouts were as important to her as breathing, although these past few weeks she’d neglected everything including those, he knew. Perhaps in Mexico they could run in the mornings on the beach and get her back to her routine. She was like him, she thrived on her routine.
Brett let his own eyelids drift closed as the soft whirring of the jet flying through the air lulled him to sleep.
He awoke to the ding of the captain telling them they’d be landing soon and smiled as Madi sat up, eyelids heavy.
“Welcome to the Caribbean, Sleeping Beauty,” he cooed and got a blush out of her.
Soon, they were landing and leaving the plane to be transported to their destination via car.
A black Lincoln Navigator took them to Lincoln’s house, via a driver with a fun sense of style and a Latin American accent. His name was Patro; Linc had sent him.
In ten minutes, they were pulling through the gates of Linc’s mansion in Paradise, a gorgeous
