Page 37 of Rush

“Thank you. And thank you for watching Sophie for the night.”

“Oh, no thanks are needed.” She waved a dismissive hand. “In fact, I was just telling Mike how much I’ve missed her the past few weeks.” She looked over at her husband. “Isn’t that right, honey?”

Mike quickly agreed. “Yep. Sure is, sweetheart.”

“Well, we’ll get out of your hair. I saw some fancy car parked at the curb when we arrived. I’m sure you guys are ready to go.”

Hugs and kisses were given all around.

“Don’t hesitate to call if there’s a problem. I’ll have my phone on all night,” Linc informed them as they went out the door.

“Don’t you worry about anything. Just have fun,” was Jill’s reply and she threw him a wave once they hit the driveway.

Linc watched as Mike put Sophie’s suitcase in the trunk then they all piled in and drove off, Jill sending one last wave before they disappeared down the street.

“I miss Sophie already,” Nora said as Linc closed the door.

“I know. The house feels so empty without her in it.”

“The house feels so empty withoutJillin it.” Nora said, making Linc chuckle. “Let me just grab my bag and I’ll be ready to go.”

***

A Super Bowl ring ceremony was a big deal. If Linc hadn’t figured that out already, the red carpet leading to the door of the most expensive hotel in Portland and plethora of reporters and spectators would have tipped him off.

Getting out of the sleek stretch sedan, Linc waved to cheering fans amidst an overwhelming amount of camera flashes before helping Nora to alight. Keeping hold of her hand, he led them to the back of the queue sectioned off with velvet ropes. He gave the teammate ahead of him a fist bump and nodded to his date while all around reporters jockeyed for position, getting candid shots before the more professional pictures were taken at the front of the line. Nora’s grip on his hand tightened and Linc glanced down to see her lips were set tight and her gaze was flying everywhere.

“You okay?” he whispered close to her ear.

“It’s a little overwhelming. I’ve never been to anything like this before.”

“Will it help to know reporters aren’t allowed inside?”

“Yeah that does help a little. I guess I should have realized what I was walking into when you told me it was a black-tie event. I mean, I’ve seenallthe red-carpet photos of you on the internet, so I should’ve assumed this would be one too, but my brain just didn’t quite make the connection.”

“You’ve seen pictures of me at other events?” He wasn’t sure why that bothered him so much.

“Of course.”

He processed her matter-of-fact response for a second. “Do they bother you?”

She glanced up at him, a tiny furrow between her brows. “Why would they bother me?”

Linc’s jaw flexed. Oh, maybe because seeing pictures of Nora posed with other men would bother the fuck out of him? “No reason,” he grumbled.

“Look, there’s Oz and Emerson.”

She waved at someone and he turned to look behind him, seeing the couple stepping out of a car similar to the one he and Nora had arrived in. Emerson raised a hand, waving back at Nora.

Nora craned her neck up and down the line. “I don’t see Ivy. I wonder if they’re here yet.”

The line moved up and a reporter appeared before him. “Susan Berkley, FOX News, talking with Lincon Scott, the Phantoms’ wide receiver and chosen this year’s 30 under 30 one to watch. I hear congratulations are in order. Not only did you make the big play to help your team to victory, winning the Super Bowl, but you made a big play in your personal life as well.”

A microphone moved in front of his face. “Thank you and yes.”

“And this must be the lucky lady in question.”

Linc’s arm, already around Nora’s waist, pulled her in a little closer. “No, Susan, I’m the lucky one.”

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