Page 55 of Mad Rivals (The Bradley Legacy #1)

Champagne Toast

I’m still in bed when Madden kisses my forehead and bids me goodbye. Part of me thinks maybe I just dreamed it, but the other part of me is pretty sure he left. He said something about how he loves me and I should just stay here, I think.

I just got him back, and now he’s gone. And who knows what changes are in store for us this season? Time will tell, and that’s really all we have to go on right now. He’ll be back tonight, and I plan to be here waiting for him.

But then what? I don’t have much out here. No friends since I’ve spent a large portion of the last month wallowing in self-pity instead of making new connections as one does in a new city.

I force myself up and take a shower in Madden’s wonderful shower with that shower gel that smells deliciously of him. I head downstairs and find a note with a key beside it.

I glance at Madden’s rather neat penmanship as I read his note.

K-

Here’s my key. I hope you’ll stay here tonight with me again .

All my love,

M.

This isn’t how I saw today going—at all. In fact, I figured I’d be crying as I stared into my Cheerios without eating them. Instead, I’m standing in Madden’s pantry as I try to find something to eat that isn’t simply protein powder or a protein bar.

Does he eat anything that isn’t packed full of protein?

When I think of those gorgeous abs…yeah, probably not. I text Oliver to let him know I’m running late, and then I head toward the office.

My phone rings as I’m commuting, already wondering-slash-daydreaming how exactly merging our two companies is possibly going to work. I glance at my car’s screen and see it’s Grace Nash calling me.

“Good morning, this is Kennedy Van Buren,” I answer.

“Hi, Kennedy! It’s Grace Nash. I was wondering if you were available to grab lunch this week to chat about the plans.”

“I’d love to,” I say. “And it’ll be nice to talk to someone who is used to their significant other heading off to camp as a grown adult.”

The words are out before I even realize that Grace has no idea that I’m with Madden.

“Training camp?” she asks, clearly confused.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think twice about saying that, but I’m actually seeing a player on the Storm.”

“I didn’t know that! Who is it?” she squeals.

“Madden Bradley.”

“Oh my God! I had no idea! Even with you two working for competing companies?”

“Yeah. Actually, that’s how we met,” I admit. It’s not really the full truth as I think about our actual meet-cute at Starbucks, but it’s close enough.

“I love that. Let’s talk more over lunch. Are you free today? ”

I confirm that I am, and we set up a time and a place to meet.

Once I get to the office, I’m shocked to find both my parents standing there with champagne and flowers along with Oliver. He’s been wonderful here, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in this office.

Wait a minute…did I really just think that?

Maybe I do have a friend in San Diego. And I’m meeting another one for lunch.

And I definitely have something keeping me here now that Madden and I are back together.

“To the new CEO!” my dad says as he holds up the bottle.

I burst into tears.

This is really happening.

The four of us toast to my new title.

“Can we take you to lunch?” my mother asks.

“I actually have lunch plans with a client,” I say apologetically, not mentioning that Grace feels like a friend in some ways already. “But I’d love to do dinner if you’re free. Maybe with Madden, too?”

“I think that would be nice,” my father says, and I’m shocked that he says it genuinely and not begrudgingly.

Shortly after that, I head to lunch with Grace, who’s already waiting in a booth for me when I arrive. She gets up to greet me with a hug, and we chat a bit about her vineyard. Once the food arrives, I say, “So as a football wife, tell me everything I need to know.”

She laughs. “Honestly? Patience and understanding go a long way, and so does having something of your own to focus on when he’s in season.

I lucked out with Spencer, though. He’s my other half, truly.

He helps me with the vineyards, and he’s kind and logical and so, so smart.

” She shrugs. “He makes sure to call me every day when we’re apart, and he prioritizes us over everything else.

And we love building Lego sets together. ”

“That’s so sweet,” I say, leaning back into the booth.

She pulls her phone out. “You have to meet my sister-in-law, too. She’s married to the quarterback, and it’s her first season with a player.”

My brows dip. “She’s married to him, and it’s her first season?”

“He was out all last season with a knee injury, but he’s back. She’s so excited.”

“I’d love to meet her. I’d love to meet everyone. I guess I’m diving headfirst into this new world.”

“Hell yeah, you are!” she says, and we both laugh as we high-five.

I feel like I made my first genuine friend in this town. I’m starting to find my own way, and it really feels like everything is falling into place.

When Madden gets home, I attack him with a kiss the second he walks through the door, and he laughs.

“This is sure a nice way to arrive home,” he says, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

“How was training camp today?” I ask.

“Great, actually. It felt incredible being back on the field, and it wasn’t as intense as next week will be. It was more meeting the rookies and meetings with the coaches. I feel energized.”

“Good. I’m glad you feel that way because I sort of agreed to dinner with my parents tonight.”

“Oh,” he says. “No worries, I’ll find something.”

“No. It’s a celebration dinner, and I want you to come with.”

He wrinkles his nose. “Won’t that be awkward?”

“Yes. Awkward as fuck. But if we’re really considering a future together, we better get started on smoothing out that path now.” I shrug and twist my lips.

He grins. “Touché. Let’s go.”

I love how he’s up for anything, and we slip into the car and head toward the restaurant my mother made reservations at .

And when I get to the table, I’m shocked to see Clem and Lance sitting there. “Ahh! Clem!” I scream, and she laughs as she jumps out of her chair and tackles me with a hug.

Thanks to having my best friend there with her boyfriend, the meal turns out not to be awkward at all. I’m not sure why my dad made such a quick turnaround, but he pulls me aside as everyone else walks out of the restaurant, and it all sort of clicks together.

“Madden seems like a good guy,” he says quietly.

“He’s the best.”

“When I saw him back out of Newman for you, I had a good feeling about him. But when he came by the house and said he stayed away because of his father’s activities, I knew he was a good man.

I know it feels like this was a quick turnaround on my part, but it wasn’t.

It took me a long time to come around. I see how he has so much potential, and I think you and him working together and merging the two companies could be incredible for your future. ”

I give my father a hug. That’s as much a blessing as I’ll ever get from him, and even though I didn’t need it, it still means a lot.