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
