CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

A huge crush.

Carter

We said our good-byes to Vale’s family on Sunday, and then AJ, Vale, and I flew back to LA.

I tried to get her to keep the ring, but she insisted on giving it back. She said she wanted to think about everything without the pressure. Without having to sit and stare at it.

But I have a sneaking suspicion the real reason she gave it back. Because she wants a real proposal. Not one we made up.

And she deserves it.

Although she wants to think about what her life will look like if we are together, I don’t have to do that. I already know I want to be with her. To love her. For a very long time. And I hope that she will come to the same conclusion.

Fortunately for me, I haven’t had much time to sit around and ponder life. It’s been a crazy week and a half. Signing AJ. The big announcement. Talking to companies about possible endorsements. Talking to all the teams about him. Going over more than just his stats, like what he brings to the team from a leadership standpoint. You’d think you would only have to focus on the teams with the first few picks in the draft, but you never know when a team is going to trade up for a pick.

AJ flashes a smile from his side of my desk. “This all feels so surreal. I can’t believe I got married and left my bride the next day to come out here. It’s been a whirlwind.”

“You’re lucky you graduated in December. Otherwise, you’d be trying to study for finals in the midst of this.”

“I’ll be honest, I’m getting a little nervous. Not so much about when I get drafted or where, but being on TV. I know I told you I took acting classes when I was young, but this is different. I won’t be acting. This is my real life. My future.”

“Lakelyn and I will be right by your side the opening night of the draft,” I say with a grin, “as will your parents.”

“You’re right,” he says, taking a deep breath.

“But just in case you’re still freaking out, I have a little surprise for you today.”

His eyes get big, like he can’t take much more uncertainty right now. “What kind of surprise?” he asks tentatively.

“While I do my job and talk you up all day, you’re going to hang out with my brothers and their wives—Cade and Palmer, Cash and Ashlyn—and a few other special guests. Some friends of ours.”

“What kind of friends?”

“Well, let’s see. Palmer’s brother is Pike Montlake.”

“Holy shit,” he says.

“Yep. And Palmer, you might know, was on a TV series with Ashlyn and Jennifer Edwards—”

“Who is married to Danny Diamond!”

“And who happens to be in town. Also in attendance will be Harper and Maddox Harper.”

“I’m speechless. Really, Carter.”

“All these guys have been exactly where you are now. Other than Danny, who got drafted as predicted, the others went off plan simply because the teams keep what they want close to the vest. It’s all part of the teams’ draft strategies.”

My intercom buzzes, and my assistant says, “Ashlyn is here to see you now.”

“Oh jeez. Ashlyn Roberts? Take a deep breath, AJ,” he says to himself. “I had a huge crush on her, growing up.”

Ashlyn breezes in. “So?” she says. “Does fate still say you’re an idiot?”

“Probably,” I say with a sigh.

I haven’t heard from Vale since I dropped her off at her place and she told me she needed time. When I asked how much, she said she needed some space and would call me when she was ready to talk. Then she took off the ring and gave it back to me.

Not wanting to be ambivalent while still respecting her wishes, I sent a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, just signed with my name.

And although the florist said they handed them directly to her, she hasn’t said a word to me.

If it wasn’t for AJ sitting in my office, I might almost believe I’d dreamed the whole wedding weekend.

“Ash, this is AJ Barnett. AJ, meet Ashlyn. And please, try to take it easy on him,” I warn.

“Ah, come on, Carter. You know we will. I mean, we will probably drill him about his, uh, recent nuptials. About certain members of his family.”

I roll my eyes as she pats AJ’s forearm.

“Come on, big guy. Let’s get you ready for the draft.”

She turns back to me. “Question.”

“Yes?”

“What’s he wearing?”

“We haven’t gotten that far yet.”

“Perfect. I have to stop to pick up a dress on our way home. Why don’t you let me get him all fixed up?”

“I didn’t even stop to think about what I’d wear. I don’t want anything flashy, like some guys wear. It’s just not me, and I’d get a truckload of shit about it from my family.”

Ashlyn sizes him up and looks at me. “I’m thinking a well-tailored suit, navy blue. A fun tie. Tennis shoes?”

“No way,” AJ says. “Not with a suit.”

“I like your style. Dress shoes it is. Plus, that will give us time to talk.”

What did I get myself into?

“Uh, look, I don’t have time to tell the family this, so you’re going to have to do it. AJ, Ash, take a seat real quick.”

“What’s up?” Ashlyn says.

I sit back down in my chair, hands clasped behind my neck. “I’m sorry in advance for what I’m about to tell you both. I don’t normally lie, but—”

AJ smirks at me. “You finally gonna fess up that you and Vale weren’t really engaged at my wedding? That you only pretended to be, so her dad wouldn’t be so hard on her? I knew you had planned to propose to her on New Year’s Eve, but that when you got there, she was kissing someone else, and you left. And I know that when she called you a few days later, you told her you weren’t interested in her anymore. I also know that neither one of you has gotten over it.”

I rock back so hard that it almost tips the chair over.

“I don’t understand,” I say to AJ. “You knew?”

“I know now,” he corrects, taking a seat. “Lakelyn overheard Vale tell their mom about the fake engagement the morning after the wedding.” He looks sheepish, slightly embarrassed. “I knew the part about what had happened on New Year’s Eve. We sort of pieced it all together. We didn’t know your family didn’t know though. Sorry.”

“Mrs. Martin did give me an extra-tight hug when we left now that I think about it,” I say.

“We won’t tell anyone,” AJ assures me.

“Speak for yourself,” Ashlyn says. “I can’t keep secrets from the family.”

I roll my eyes.

AJ looks at Ashlyn conspiratorially and says to her, “Vale also said she loves Carter and wants to marry him. But that she doesn’t know how to combine their lives.”

“Sounds like she needs some convincing,” Ashlyn says with a big grin.

I tent my fingers under my chin, thinking. “It sounds like I need to explain a few things to the Martins first.”

“Getting her father’s blessing before you propose again would be a big gesture. What a happy coincidence that we’ll be stopping in Iowa on our way to the draft to pick up Lakelyn. Maybe you could carve out some time to visit a certain farm.”

Ashlyn narrows her eyes at me. “We need in on this too. Come on, AJ. Let’s go get you all gussied up for the draft. You can talk sports with the boys, and then we can plan out Carter’s life for him.”

This causes AJ to laugh. “I thought I was going to be all starstruck over you. But you’re funny. Let’s go.”

“Look, I’ve got some calls to make. I’ll touch base with you later.”

The second they leave, I call my parents.