Chapter 1
Addie Mae
TAKING MY PALATE OF EYESHADOW in my hand, I look at the canvas in front of me as I work my magic on the hottest actress in Hollywood these days. Callie Marks is scrolling through her phone as I try to apply the perfect shade of smoky topaz to her.
“Callie, can you like put that down for two seconds?” She rolls her eyes and tosses it on the vanity.
“Sorry, those damn tabloids are terrible these days and my sister won’t let them go.”
Shaking my head, I take the fanned brush in my hands and work magic. Within a few moments, her makeup is complete. Taking a step back, I smile. Damn, I’m good. Spinning her around, she looks in the mirror.
“Shit, girl! You are amazing! By the way, I’m loving that hair. Platinum is totally you.”
“Thanks,” I say as there is a knock on the door. They give her five minutes and I touch up her lipstick quickly as she stands.
“So you won’t be here this weekend?”
“Nope. Heading home. My bestie is about to birth a baby!” Giving me a hug, she walks out the door and I take a moment to clean up my station.
As my phone pings, I glance down and see it’s Madelyn. She has no clue I’m coming home to Mason, but I’ve been working on this couple’s baby shower for over four months with the help of her brother, Sawyer.
“Hey, girl. What’s up?” I question as I hold the phone against my shoulder and continue to work.
“Not much, but Tate and I were talking about you and I was wondering when you thought you might come home?”
“Maddie, I’m not sure. The schedule on production is crazy right now and I can’t just leave. It’s a little harder getting a replacement in this biz.”
I hear the sadness in her voice, and I do my best to refrain from laughing by covering my mouth with my hand. She’s going to piss her pants in less than twenty-four hours, and word on the street is that is super easy to do when you’re preggo.
“I’ll be home before the baby comes, I promise.”
“You better, and you’re not going to believe this. Did you know they moved Sawyer to the head coaching job?”
“Shut up!” I almost yell and then calm myself. “He’s been waiting on that forever. Lord help, though. That’s going to go to his head, I’m sure.”
“Probably, but you know he deserves it. I swear he’s given that team his entire life and I can’t wait to see my big brother under the lights. Plus, Tate’s the new defensive coordinator. Looks like I’ll be spending every free minute at the field.”
“You’d be there every Friday night anyways. It’s what we do.”
“True, and these days I’m there Thursday nights, too. Well, girl, I’ve got to run, but let me know when you think you can make time for little ole me.”
“Hush, I’ll be home before that cute little boy arrives.”
Disconnecting, I grin ear to ear and make sure that everything is back in place. I wait for the next touch-up while counting down the moments until they wrap up this season, then I’m on the first plane to Mason.
Taking my phone, I quickly text Sawyer and make sure that everything is good to go for Saturday morning. He assures me that everything is right on schedule, but I doubt that. He’s a guy, what does he really know about a baby shower? All he heard was beer and he was game. After three more touch-ups, it’s time to call this season a wrap.
“Hey, Addie, we’re heading out to Next Door tonight. Do you want to go?” Callie asks as she changes out of wardrobe.
“Girl, I’d love to, but I’m leaving for home in the morning and I’ve yet to pack a thing.”
“One drink. I won’t see you for forever! Not to mention, I’ve got the in.”
I laugh, “Callie, you’re like the best thing since Reese Holden. All you have to do is walk up and they will let you in.”
“Exactly!”
“Fine. I’ll meet you there.”
“Oh, no. My limo will pick you up at seven. We’ll grab a bite to eat and then head over. My treat. It’s the least I can do for making me look fab.”
“Well, when you have an awesome face to work with, it makes my job super easy.”
She grabs her purse and phone before giving me a quick hug and hurries out the door. Turning off the lights, I close the door and walk toward my Jeep. Pulling the top off, I pull my hair into my Mason ball cap and peel out of the parking lot for my apartment. I can’t wait to go home and plant my feet on that perfect Texas soil.
* * *
Sawyer
Seeing Addie Mae’s name reply to my text, I hold my breath. That girl has always been a pain in my ass, but she’s my sister’s best friend. The moment she asked me to help her with this baby shower, I was like hell no. What’s a guy got to do at a baby shower anyways? She quickly informed me that it’s very kosher for men to come, hang out, play games, and drink beer. She had me at beer, and if I’m being honest, I’d do anything for my little sister. Not to mention, my nephew is going to be amazing on the football field like I was back in the day. I can’t wait to coach him on the Drew Mathews Field at Mason High or even Pop Warner when he’s big enough to walk. He’s got football running through his blood, and for me that’s all I’ve ever been able to focus on.
Thank goodness I remembered to text her or she’d have blown up my cell phone all night. I don't have time for that while I’m on the field. I’ve got to focus on football not baby showers. If I have to keep this up much longer this woman is going to be the death of me.
“Damn, Jackson. Who’s got you checking your phone before a game? Please tell me it’s not Lori.”
Laughing, I turn to Kyle, my offensive line coach. “Heck no. That girl tried to change me one too many times. It was Addie Mae. That girl has gotten on my last nerve for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait for the stupid shower to be over so I can delete her from my contacts.”
“That’s right. I about forgot. What are we supposed to bring anyways?”
“Beer, yourself, your wife, and a gift. I’m betting fifty bucks that Jessie’s already got that covered for you. Now, can we forget about this until tomorrow? We’ve got a game to win.”
“Damn right,” he says as we both make our way on the bus.