“Glad to hear that. Family is everything. Legacy. Leaving something behind.” He gestures to a row of framed photos on one wall.
“You have a beautiful family, Mr. Martin.” Now that it seems like he might let me live, I can breathe a little easier. “And from what I noticed on the drive through town, you’ve built quite a legacy to pass down.”
“We know how to do business in these small towns just as well as you do out in Los Angeles,” he informs me with a wry smile. “It’s a shame this wasn’t good enough for all my children though. I have to wonder what sort of legacy a sports agent could leave for his children,” he says.
“I’d like to imagine my children, should I be fortunate enough to have them, would carry a legacy of unconditional love with them, first and foremost. I am lucky enough to know what it means to be fully and truly supported in every aspect of my life by my parents. And I hope that I can do them justice by passing that on to my children. My parents taught us to work hard, be decent and fair, and to follow our hearts. Considering how well we’ve all done for ourselves, I think they did a pretty good job. If you’re concerned about financial matters, I can assure you, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah, I noticed that flashy car you drove up in and the boulder on Vale’s hand.” He smirks. “I suppose they do those highfalutin sort of things out where you’re from.”
“It’s been known to happen, sir.”
I can tell he wants to see how easily ruffled I am. When he doesn’t get anything more from me, the smirk turns to a grin.
“Make yourself comfortable for a moment while I get us something to drink.”
I settle into a leather wing chair while he pours scotch for the two of us. A little early in the day for a drink maybe, but it’s already been a long one. To think, I woke up this morning in my house, and it was just another Thursday.
Now, I’m accepting a drink from my supposed soon-to-be father-in-law and looking around his study. While doing so, I notice a book stacked with others on a small table behind his desk. The spine reads VALE in block letters.
“What’s that?” I ask, accepting my drink. “A book about Vale? Embarrassing baby pictures?”
He’s gruff when he responds, “A collection of Vale’s work. Modeling, you know. Her photos.”
I think I understand the man better than he wants me to.
“Hey, Dad?” Blake opens the door a crack and sticks his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, but we could use another set of hands out here, and AJ went to pick up chairs from the Pattersons. Could we borrow Carter?”
“Of course,” Mr. Martin says.
I finish my drink and thank him before heading out to the hall with Blake.
Blake snickers, elbowing me with a gleam in his eye. “You’re welcome.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Catch you any day.
Vale
“Come on! We can use all the help we can get. Unless you would like to get changed first?” Lakelyn looks at my outfit, including the heels.
I realize I should’ve dressed more appropriately. This is the farm, not brunch in LA.
“I’ve run around the barn barefoot before,” I remind her. With one more look at the house, where Carter just disappeared with my father, I let her lead me back to the barn.
“I can’t believe you are here and engaged to Carter Crawford. Why didn’t you tell me that last night when I called you, crying about AJ and the draft?”
“I wanted to surprise you all with the engagement.”
“You still could have told me you knew him. He represents Danny Diamond, and he’s the GOAT.”
“Goat?” I ask.
“Greatest Of All Time,” she says with a grin. “Why didn’t you tell me that’s who you’ve been seeing? Who you got engaged to?” She grabs my arm again and looks at the ring on my finger.
Because I didn’t think he would actually come.
“I hope it’s not awkward, him being here. Just because he’s going to be family doesn’t mean you or AJ have to discuss business with Carter. He won’t even bring it up.”
“I wish he would bring it up,” she says with a frown.
“Carter did tell me that he reached out to AJ at some point but was told he had representation.”
“Yeah, his uncle. Which is a huge mistake, if you ask me. He needs a good, experienced agent in his corner. It worries me to think of what might happen if he gets steered in the wrong direction.”
“Do you think that will happen?”
She’s always had a good head on her shoulders. AJ is lucky to have her.
She shrugs. “I hope not. But I doubt he’ll get as good of a deal without a skilled agent telling him what to look out for. I respect whatever decision he comes to, but it affects me too. It’s our future.”
I take a look at her. She’s so grown-up now, so smart and wise. Her dress is bright and cheerful, flowing around her thighs with each step she takes. Her hair is fashioned into a long braid.
“When did you get so grown-up?” I ask before we enter the barn.
“Oh, it happened gradually.” She winks before handing me a mimosa from a table set up near the doors. “Drink up, sis. It’s going to be a long weekend.”
No kidding. Especially because I am probably going to have to sleep in the same room as Carter and try to keep my hands—and the numerous other body parts he knows how to make feel good—to myself.
“I can’t help but feel bad for Carter,” I confess to Brooke and Raine as we hang crepe paper in Lakelyn’s wedding colors of pink and cream. “I can only imagine what Daddy’s saying to him up there.”
“I was afraid Seth might wet his pants when he got the big talk,” Raine whispers, giggling. “And he had known Daddy for years.”
“Your guy is a big-shot agent though,” Brooke reminds me. “I’m sure he’s probably used to intense negotiations.”
“Neither of you are helping.”
But I can’t help laughing a little. It’s like no time has passed at all. We’ve fallen right back into our roles. Maybe that’s what being siblings is all about.
“You have to tell us all about how he popped the question!” Mom says, interrupting us. She is beside herself with excitement.
“This weekend is all about Lakelyn,” I insist, eyeing the bride-to-be.
I also can’t help but take note of Trent standing on the other side of the barn, taking a sudden interest in what I have to say.
“I want to hear it!” Lakelyn claps her hands, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
I’m standing on a ladder, which doesn’t help since I’m now the center of attention. “So, uh, we were at a charity golf event at a hotel on a cliff overlooking the ocean.”
“Ooh,” Brooke sighs.
She’s already swept away, and I haven’t gotten into the story yet.
“We went out to watch the sunset. And I should’ve probably known something was up when he suggested we leave our phones in the room, so we wouldn’t have any distractions.”
I have total command of the room now. If a pin dropped, we’d hear it.