Whatever fear had taken up residence inside of me was slowly beginning to dissipate. Three nights of sharing a suite with Brody in sunny Florida had given me back my confidence in us. I still hadn’t given up the room that WMBC paid for, not wanting anyone to ask any questions. Although, at this point, it was common knowledge that Brody and I were a couple. Some of my male colleagues who held a grudge because I was promoted over them had taken to making snide remarks whenever I walked in the room, alluding to how women reporters secured their interviews. I hated it, but not enough to stop dating Brody.

After the game against Tampa, then locker room interviews Sunday afternoon, Brody and the team got ready to head to the airport while I was meeting Michael Langley to drive down to Miami. The team was loading their bags on the bus outside of the hotel when Michael pulled up in a shiny red Jaguar convertible, the top already down.

Brody and I had talked about who I was traveling with, so it wasn’t a surprise to him. But that didn’t mean he was happy about it, by any stretch of the word. He wasn’t angry, really. I would say it was more of an alpha-possessive-caveman-style jealousy thing he had going on. Strangely enough, I sort of liked it.

After stowing his bags under the bus, Brody returned to say goodbye. Michael waved but stood by his car a few feet away, waiting.

“Can you take off on Friday?”

“I think so.”

“Offensive line is off on Friday. I want to take you upstate. Show you my cabin.”

“You want to show me your cabin?”

“Yeah. And my cock. I always want to show you my cock. But I want to show it to you in my cabin Thursday night.”

“How can I refuse such a tempting offer?” I laughed.

“You can’t.” Brody wrapped one arm tight around my waist and pulled me close. “We’ll leave Thursday after you get off work.”

“Okay.”

He moved closer, our noses almost touching, but I could see the glint in his eyes. “You know I need to show him that you’re mine.”

“Are you going to lift your leg and pee on me like a fire hydrant?”

“My sweet girl’s into some kinky shit. But I’m game if you are.”

I nudged his chest with my elbow.

“Seriously. Have a safe trip. And tell fuckwad to keep his eyes and hands on the road, or he’ll have me to deal with.”

“Yes, Tarzan.” I playfully rolled my eyes.

“Come here, Jane.” Brody’s hand squeezed the back of my neck while his mouth devoured mine. I became completely lost in the kiss. The spectacle he was making as he leaned me back in a dramatic dip and kissed me like there was no tomorrow didn’t even register with me. Until he lifted us from the dip and released my mouth and the entire team who had been watching from the bus began to applaud.

I wanted to kill him then, even though he had warned me. Before he loosened his grip, he surprised me by slipping something over my head. It was his jersey. He wasn’t kidding about wanting to brand me.

“Take good care of her.” He nodded to Michael as he opened my car door.

The first few minutes of the ride were uncomfortably quiet. Eventually, Michael spoke. “So. I guess I know why you didn’t want to go out with me.”

“Sorry. I probably should have told you. But when you first asked, we weren’t dating yet, and I really was busy like I said. And then the next time, we still weren’t dating when I said yes, but by the time we—”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.” He glanced at me, then back to the road. “I’m not gonna lie and say I’m not disappointed. But I won’t make things uncomfortable.”

My shoulders relaxed a little. “Thank you.”

The three-hour drive was actually really relaxing. The warm Florida sun beat down on my head while the wind from the open top kept me nice and cool. Between starting my new position a few months ago, meeting Brody, and then worrying about the reappearance of his long-lost ex, I had been really stressed lately. “I’ve never been in a convertible. I love it. Did you rent this car?”

“No. I actually have a home down here. In Miami. I keep a car at the house.”

“I didn’t realize that. Is it far from the hotel?”

“Twenty minutes with traffic.”

“Oh. I can take a cab from there, so you don’t have to go out of your way.”

“I don’t mind. But you’re welcome to stay at my place instead of the hotel.”

My eyes flashed to him.

“Relax. I have a guesthouse. You’re welcome to stay there. We don’t even have to be in the same building.”

“Thank you for the offer. But I’ll just stay at the hotel.”

Michael shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. He was so easygoing. Staying in his guesthouse probably shouldn’t have been an issue. Yet somehow it felt wrong. The hotel was definitely a better idea.

Traffic slowed to a crawl once we hit the Miami strip, and my phone buzzed in my bag. I dug it out and read the text from Brody.

Brody: Sitting on plane. Delayed. What are you doing?

I decided to screw with him a bit.

Delilah: Having margaritas poolside and working on my tan. Good thing I tossed a bathing suit in my bag.

Brody: With Langley?

Delilah: Who else would I be with?

Brody: You’re fucking with me, right?

Delilah: Guess you’ll find out when you see my tan marks.

Brody: Your ass is going to have my hand marks when I see you.

Delilah: Hmm . . . I might like that.

Brody: Are you fucking with me?

Delilah: About the drinks and pool? Yes. The handmarks . . . 

Brody: I’m getting wood on the plane next to a 325-pound linebacker.

Delilah: LOL

Brody: Just announced we’re finally cleared for takeoff. Gotta power off. Wish you were coming home with me. Even after three days with you, I miss you as soon as I leave.

My heart swelled a little in my chest. The man quite literally charmed the pants off me, without even trying. I was crazy about him and finally learning to sit back, relax, and enjoy it.

Delilah: Me too.

It was after midnight when my phone buzzed again. I had just fallen asleep. Brody’s name flashed at me on the screen. I answered, smiling, grogginess in my voice. “Hey.”

“I woke you?”

“It’s okay. I must have just fallen asleep.”

“I shouldn’t have called so late. Sorry. I’ll call you in the morning.”

The tone of his voice made me sit up. I reached over and turned on the light. “What’s the matter?”

“I picked up my messages when we landed. Broadhollow Manor called. They took Marlene in an ambulance to the hospital.”

“What happened?”

“They’re not sure. She was a little out of it during the day. Then she took a nap, which isn’t like her, and never woke back up. Her vitals started slipping, so they called an ambulance.”

“Oh God. I’m sorry. Are you heading there now?”

“Yeah. They took her to St. Luke’s. I’m in a cab on my way.”

Brody barked orders at the cabby for the next five minutes, telling him not to take certain streets. The stress level in his voice rose as he got closer. “I’m gonna jump out and walk the last few blocks. Traffic is at a standstill on Eighth Avenue. At fucking midnight.” He pulled the phone away from his mouth and spoke to the driver. “Pull over, let me out here.” I heard the car door shut and muffled words as he exited the cab.

“I’ll get a flight first thing in the morning.”

“You have interviews to do. Your dipshit boss is already up your ass because of me. Stay. I don’t even know what’s going on yet.”

“But…”

“Get some sleep. I’ll text you when I know more.”

“Please do.”

“Yeah. All right. I’m gonna run. The hospital is only another block away, and I probably should call Willow and let her know what’s going on.”

I stayed up for a few hours hoping to hear from Brody again, but he still hadn’t texted before I fell asleep. I hated that I was so far away. I wanted to be there for him. Just sit by his side if he was going to hear bad news, to bring him comfort. And maybe, just maybe, there was a selfish part of me that wanted to make sure no one else was sitting in my seat offering him that comfort.