“Well, duh,” Brooke added, “He sensed competition. Don’t you remember how he acted when you first brought Hunter around?”
For a moment Madi was taken back years ago, to college, where she met the cocky and attractive Hunter Thomas. Brett’s reaction had been similar then. “Wonder if he’ll let it get that far this time before he intervenes,” Madi wanted to say but held her tongue. He’d been all over her at lunch, holding her hand, dropping his palm to her back, pulling her hair from her face, throwing his arm around her as he sat next to her—if Quillan had any ideas, they would have been quickly shelved. That or there would be a pissing match at some point. Quil seemed to take the hint though and had been professional and grateful for the invite.
“Well, too bad I’m not into football players, or I’d have to let him score with me,” Brooke laughed heartily.
Sky’s brows went up, surprised. “Girl! I think I’d make an exception to that rule, at least this one time.” Her freckled cheeks blushed.
“Daddy said he could only take one of his girls being with a football player. Besides, I’m more into the Christian Grey types…if you catch my drift.” Brooke winked.
Val rolled her eyes. “Money is money, whether it’s earned on the field or in an office shouldn’t—oh, oooohh,” Val finally caught Brooke’s drift and winked back at her, getting a laugh out of the rest of them. “Hey, for all you know, he’s got a secret room.”
Brooke shrugged. Madi wouldn’t tell her secrets. Brooke had been bisexual for a long time and never planned to settle down. If she ever did, it would surprise the hell out of Madi.
“So, who’s down for a round of Heads Up?” Sky asked and stood, pulling her phone from her PJ pocket.
They all raised their hands and began to play their favorite game together. Madi was glad for their company and glad they were all having a sleepover. It was long overdue. She was grateful for these friends of hers, grateful for their advice, their input and support. They made a bad situation lighter and helped her understand her husband even more. Madi felt bad about being so angry with him; she couldn’t stay angry with a dead man. She’d never understand his reasons and never get answers, but being resentful was only gonna hurt her in the long run. She had to let it go, especially since the team was holding a memorial for him soon.
Madi had loved Hunter; he wasn’t perfect, but he’d once made her happy despite his flaws, despite his shortcomings. She was going to remember the good he brought into her life. She was going to remember the Hunter she’d fallen in love with and let the past be just that.
CHAPTER EIGHT
May came and the mini-camps started. The draft had brought them six new players with multiple trades in the works. Contracts were negotiated, renegotiated, and signed. Numbers were flying like the hub of an airport, and Madi stayed busy, grateful for the distraction.
She and Brett had seen a lot of one another, and as great as things were, Madi was still holding her breath for him to make a move that didn’t come. She could sense his hesitation and understood it, but it didn’t take those lonely nights away. So, she announced that very morning she was going to sell her house. Her family was shocked, especially her mother; but, as she’d told Brett, she didn’t feel it was home. It was too big, too grand, and not her taste. Hunter had needed all that, not her.
Brett had offered to let her stay with him and she agreed. She always loved his house and felt comfortable there. Even if she and Brett didn’t get “together,” she’d find somewhere else. For now, she needed to get out of the house that still held too many painful memories.
Today was the day of Hunter’s memorial, and Madi’s emotions were high. She was tired of talking to lawyers, looking at contracts, and sending emails. When Brett came to get her at five PM, she was already dressed and ready.
He literally fell a step back when he saw her. She’d dressed in Hunter’s favorite yellow dress, the one that complemented her hair color and pinned it up atop her head in a twist. Her makeup was light, and she wore the single diamond necklace he’d given her on their honeymoon.
“Wow, Madison. You’re stunning.” Brett’s eyes echoed his words, and Madi smiled as he pulled her to him for a kiss on the cheek. She took peace in his company, grateful for the solid foundation he was and had always been in her life. But even now, his touch was starting to awaken her hibernating womanhood.
She had started to miss sex a great deal. With Brett’s overly masculine allure, it wasn’t difficult to imagine how incredible—and dominating—he’d be in bed. She imagined an alpha with an intense gentleness who knew exactly when to be rough. She cleared her throat, attempting to calm her tingling body as he took her arm and escorted her to the black limo in front of them.
She’d not touched herself, although she’d been tempted to do so many times over the course of the last two months. It wasn’t that she had an issue with masturbation, she simply knew it would be unsatisfactory. Orgasms weren’t what she missed, she missed the intimacy of the act itself. She mostly just missed being touched and, as Brett’s big palm came to her bare back, she shivered and moaned aloud.
His eyes darkened as she looked up, surprised by her own reaction to him. She gulped and didn’t miss his Adam’s apple bob as he did the same.
He looked so gorgeous tonight, his big frame clad in a dark gray suit, white button down, and crimson tie with the Gladiators logo on it. All the guys would be wearing them tonight. Brett’s light brown hair
