Page 11

MADISON

The redeye from the west coast to the east coast of the U.S. is a brutal flight for someone who can’t sleep on a plane. In complete honesty, I hate to fly. By the time we took off, Dixon was holding my hand with reassurances about the safety of flight. He nattered at me about his time in the Navy, his travels around the world, and funny stories about Brian. I’ve been angry at Dixon since he left the morning after the cabin. My tattling brother didn’t help my thoughts about Dixon either, but I can’t help but like him. I’m meeting with the calendar team from SportGym this afternoon. Dixon arranged for us to check into the Manhattan Luxury Campbell Hotel early, and I took advantage of the opportunity to nap and settle myself before this meeting. I run my hands down the navy-blue suit. Cocking my head, staring in the mirror, the smile creeps up my face. I look good.

The knock on the door to my bedroom door brings me back to the realization that we need to be leaving. “Madison?”

“Come in.”

He opens the door and my body warms at the appreciation in his eyes,

“I’m ready.”

“Great.” He moves to the side to let me pass by as I grab my purse. “Think about what you’d like for dinner when you get done.”

We’ve been driving for ten minutes, and I can tell Dixon hates the silence between us. “Um. Thanks for talking to me on the flight. I just can’t relax on the plane.”

“Sure. Why is that?”

“When I was little, we took a plane to Disneyland, and I got sick on the flight. It was the last time we were all together as a family on a trip.”

“That’s rough. Have you thought about seeing someone for your anxiety?”

“Never in a million years would I think you’d be a proponent of mental health care.”

He laughs. “Mental health is important.”

“It is. I saw someone in early college. She’s probably the reason I had the courage to move on to Stanford.”

“What happened with your coach your freshman year?”

“She and I didn’t get along. She was a screamer. Well, she is still a screamer. She bullies and plays teammates against each other which creates a very toxic team dynamic. Coach York constantly rode me about my weight. Every day she weighed me before practice or a game, and if I was more than a pound off her idea of my ‘best’ weight, she added extra running at the end of practice.” I offer a sad chuckle. “The Weight Training coach tried to explain that I was at a great weight and even showed her my BMI analysis, but that wasn’t enough. I hated soccer by the middle of the season. My roommate’s mother was a therapist, and Penny encouraged me to meet her and talk to her. She helped me to realize that team and that coach weren’t for me or Penny.”

Dixon nods. “It’s great when that special person comes into our lives and gives us what we need to make the future better.”

How is it that he’s saying all the right things? We pull into the parking garage, and I let him walk around to get my door. Heading up the elevator and into the lobby, I’m happy to let him lead. Dixon and the security guy at the desk talk in short-hand that reminds me of when I’m on the field with my teammates. Dixon hands me the clip-on badge and slips his hand behind my back to lead us into the elevator. “I’ll hang out in the outer lobby while you have your meeting.” He cocks his head. “I’m sure everything here is perfectly safe, but if you ever need me, just push the center jewel on the necklace.”

I have to admit I was pissed when he and Lily told me I had to wear the necklace. A panic necklace was the last thing I thought I’d be wearing around like a dog collar. I was out of line. I realize that now, but at the time I didn’t want Dixon having any control of my life. My mind grinds to a halt. Do I want him to have something now? My mind reflects through the past twenty-four hours where Dixon was the perfect gentleman and friend. It was the easiest flight I’ve ever taken.

Dixon pushes open the glass door and we move through. I step ahead as the receptionist looks up and smiles. He asks. “Madison Bennett?”

“Yeah.”

He beams. “The team is ready for you in Conference Room B.” He stands and motions to the next set of glass doors. “Follow me.”

Dixon’s beaming smile catches my attention. “I’ll be waiting, looking up options for a steak dinner to celebrate.”

I bob my head and stride to catch up with the man holding the door. We walk silently down a long hall with a dozen glass doors leading into small offices with people sitting in front of computers typing away. The next door he opens leads to a massive wood table with five people sitting around it. The room has wood paneling with posters of products they market. The plate-glass windows overlook other buildings in Manhattan.

A man stands, extending his hand. “Hi, Ms. Bennett. I’m Grayson Dubois.”

“Call me Madison.”

He extends his hand out and introduces the other people sitting around the table as I sit down in the seat across. Grayson starts to speak as the door opens with Lily jogging into the room. “I’m so sorry to be late.” She nods at Grayson and takes the seat to my right.

Grayson taps a button as the projector board comes to life with a screen size photo of me from the team website. “We’re very excited that you’re interested in doing our calendar.” He drones on about this being the fifth year, and I tune out thinking about Dixon and how well we’ve gotten along. Lily’s leg touches mine and I refocus. “This is a mockup of what we plan for your calendar photo.”

A photo of a woman sitting on a hay bale in my jersey with a puppy in her arms. There’s a soccer goal behind and a ball next to the model. My brows come together. “I’ve never seen a calendar like that.”

A woman raises her voice. “We want to be original.”

Grayson tightens his jaw. “Penelope Williams runs the largest no-kill shelter program on the east coast. This is her idea to increase awareness.”

I nod. “There are so many pets in need. Shelters are over full, people dump animals without a care about their safety, and the euthanasia rate is higher than it’s been in years.”

Ms. Williams beams at my explanation. “Exactly.”

“I’m happy to lend my support to this important cause.”

Lily clears her throat. “And now for the business side of this. Who’s got the contract?”

A different person slides a folder across the table, and Lily flips through the pages. I’ve seen so many contracts in the four years I’ve been working for Lily. She’s a phenomenal agent, leading athletes and superstars to find the best options for their careers. Lily closes the folder. “We’ll get back to you.”

Heads nod around the table as we all stand up. Lily leans in. “You haven’t killed Dixon.”

“Uh. No. He’s been… kind.”

We walk out and as we stroll, I note the difference in our heights in the glass as we walk by, reminding me that I’m so damn tall.

She looks up. “I can read you like a book. You look very professional in the suit.”

I scoff. “You should know, you helped me pick it out.”

She chuckles. “I have good taste, but you could wear anything and look like a supermodel. You’re so tall and lovely.”

I nod. I’ve been told that before, but it’s hard for me to believe it. Weight and body image have been ingrained in me. I’m heavier than the average woman and much taller. I inherited large breasts from my mother and have only recently been willing to not bind them, even when I go out. It’s one of the things Coach York bullied me about my freshman year. We step into the lobby with Dixon’s smile greeting me as he sees me. He nods at Lily. “Good afternoon, Lily. Are you joining us for dinner?”

She shakes her head. “I’ve gotta catch the next flight back to Dallas.” She flicks her head to me. “When are you back home?”

I shrug as Dixon answers. “We’re scheduled for a flight tomorrow afternoon, unless Madison wants to sightsee in the Big Apple.”

My heart skips a beat. I’d love to look around the Big Apple. “We can talk about that later.” I hug Lily, and she steps away to get into her car.

Dixon leads me to the car with his hand on my back. “Steak for dinner?”

I giggle. “You know me.” Why is it so damn easy to fall under his spell?

He opens the passenger door as I slide in. “Did you get what you wanted for your contract?”

I nod, pulling out a piece of gum from my purse. “Lily is great in contract negotiations. I’ll be going to the Caribbean after the season.” I know my tone is sharp, but he needs to know. “And I won’t be taking a bodyguard on my trip in December.”

The burst of breath he expels answers my question. “Yes you will, Madison.”

“I don’t get it. So, someone sent something that resembles a threat. Maybe it’s just someone being overly dramatic.”

He maneuvers the vehicle into a parking garage and parks. Why do I feel like a scolding is going to happen? His hand moves to my shoulder as I turn to see his solemn face. His frown tugs at my heart. “Team security and CPSP deemed the package and letters to be a threat to you. This wasn’t my decision. To be clear, I completely agree with you having a bodyguard, but it wasn’t my call. Stalkers are unpredictable and while we’re away, CPSP has been investigating the items sent to you. We’ll have a meeting when we get back to Dallas and discuss what should be done next.”

“Okay.” I open the passenger door to his loud sigh. Stepping out of the car, Dixon meets me and wraps his hand around my waist. “How do you know about New York restaurants?”

“I asked Cameron Cambell. He travels here pretty often.”

“Oh. I have a hard time keeping track of all the Campbells. I know Cameron is Lily’s fiancé’s cousin.” We step into the elevator as I continue. “I’ve hung out with Cameron’s fiancée, Kylie. I like her.” Dixon nods as we enter the restaurant, waiting to be seated.

In the middle of dinner, I’m devouring my medium steak with mushrooms and peppers. Elegantly dressed diners fill the tables and mill around the bar. It’s an upscale restaurant owned by a television chef with ridiculously expensive prices. Looking back, I should have talked to Dixon about the choice of restaurant before. Am I paying for his security services or is the team? If it’s me, this meal will be a big charge on my credit card. Eyes are boring into me as I raise my head to Dixon.

“What month did you get for the calendar?”

That’s an out of the blue question. “October. I get to hold a puppy for the photo shoot.”

His brow lifts as he shifts his head. “A puppy? What kind of sexy calendar is this?”

“Who says the calendar is sexy?”

He scoffs. “It’s got you in it, so it’s sexy.”

His compliment warms my soul. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Is the team going to mind you being gone for a few days?”

“No. This was their idea. They want to increase my profile now that I’ve joined the team.”

He sets his napkin to the side of his plate and raises his head at the server. She walks over as I reach for my purse. Dixon leans. “I’ve got it.”

“That’s okay. I’ll pay my way.”

His sigh makes me cringe. “Can’t you forgive me?”

My hand moves slowly out of my bag as I study Dixon. “This has nothing to do with that.”

He clicks his tongue. “I should have told you about Meredyth when we were at the cabin. I didn’t feel married, like in a relationship. She and I were just friends, and by that time she was in remission and we rarely communicated.”

I grip the purse in my lap like it’s a lifeline and take a breath. “You know I have a hard time with trust. My dad was a cheater and a liar. I have a hard time having a relationship with people who misrepresent themselves. It probably started with my first college relationship, then you did your disappearing act. It’s one of the reasons my career is so important. It has been more consistent.”

He nods. “I understand. If I could go back in time, I’d wake you up and tell you that Brian was making us leave, but I didn’t. I’ve made mistakes, but I want an opportunity to be friends again.”

His words pull at my heart. “I thought we were going to be friends, and then Brian told me about you being married, and I have to admit, it hurt. Now I’m here with you and afraid to trust you because you haven’t been honest.”

“I get that.” He takes the bill as the server sets it down, slips in his card, and hands it back to her. Waiting for her to leave the table, he cups my hand with his. “I don’t have any more secrets.” He frowns. “Except top secret secrets that I can’t share.”

“Of course. I just want to believe that the man sitting next to me is real. That you aren’t going to break my heart again or lie to me.”

He edges closer. “I won’t. I am that man.”

Can this be true? The server hands back the bill with his card and he fills it out. I’m staring around the restaurant while his words seep into my soul. Women glance at Dixon and scowl at me which makes me chuckle.

“What?” He asks.

“Women like the look of you, and dislike me for being next to you.”

He stands and puts his hand out for me to take. “I don’t care about other women. The only one I care about is you.”

We step through the restaurant and get on the elevator. His words rattle around my head giving me a headache. A few minutes later we’re sitting in the car with old eighties rock playing on the radio. “Want to go back to the hotel?”

I nod, yawning. “I’m tired. What time is our flight tomorrow?”

He makes a turn in the direction of the hotel as he answers. “We’re catching a ride back with Cameron tomorrow evening, late.”

“Oh?”

“Perks of being friends with billionaires.”

Nodding, I set my head against the headrest and think about everything I know about Preston Dixon, former Navy SEAL.