“I like having breakfast with the grannies. They remind me of my grandmother. And you know I like working with my hands. Poppi’s a great guy. He remembers when we played for Virginia, and we talk about all the old games.” Dash shrugged. “I guess I didn’t need downtime as much as I needed a change.” He pulled out his keys, thinking about what he’d said. “Actually, I think I just needed Amber. Man, she lights me up inside. I could do twice as much work as long as I knew I’d see her every day. Can you keep something under your hat?”
“Of course.”
“I’m toying with the idea of putting together training programs with online access like Chris Hemsworth’s Centr program, or maybe something bigger with in-person boot camps. I don’t know yet.”
“Jesus, man. What about your motivational speaking gigs?”
“What about ’em? I told Shea I was cutting back. After the book tour I’ll only be doing a handful a year, and we both know I can’t sit on my ass and do nothing. What do you think about the idea?”
“I think anything you touch turns to gold. Just don’t get burnt out.”
Dash scoffed. “Remember who you’re talking to.”
“Yeah, I know. The guy who was up before sunrise throughout college, never missed a class or a practice, and still found time to call home and harass his siblings so they stayed on the right track.”
“Just call me Superman.” Dash puffed out his chest with an arrogant grin. “I’ve got to fly. I have big plans tonight and need to do a little prep work.” Today was Hellie’s anniversary, and Dash had a surprise planned for her and for Amber. He was picking Amber up at five, but he’d kept her in the dark about his plans.
“I don’t want to know about your manscaping. But I would like to know why the hell you’re leaving your stuff at my place when you spend every night with Amber.”
“Because she’s the quarterback in this game. She calls the plays. If it were up to me, I’d have moved my stuff to her place the day I came back from LA.” But Amber needed control, and he’d do whatever it took to help her feel safe. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I see your sorry ass every day. I like having the break at night.” Sin chuckled as he climbed into his truck. “But, dude, you are so far gone for her.”
“You know it.” And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
DASH WALKED INTO the bookstore at five o’clock sharp to pick up Amber and found her leaning on the counter by the register writing something. Phoenix and another girl were stocking shelves. He put his finger in front of his lips, shushing them, as he snuck up behind Amber and wound his arms around her, kissing her neck.
“Better be careful doing that,” she whispered. “My boyfriend gets vicious when he’s jealous.”
“Where is the bastard? I’ll take him down.” He loved how relaxed she’d become with him in public. “Is that birthday card for me?”
She turned with panic in her eyes. “Is it your birthday?”
“No, but I’d like to get a card in the mail from the prettiest girl in Oak Falls.”
“Don’t do that to me. I thought I missed it. This card is for Mr. Sanderson, who’s turning seventy-eight next week. I send him a card every year, but it’s been such a madhouse this week, I forgot to send him a card when I sent out the others on Monday.”
“Do you send cards weekly?”
“Sometimes. I got a little sidetracked with a certain pushy ex-ball player the night I usually send them out and didn’t get through the list.”
“But I bet it was worth it.” He kissed her. “And I think good old Mr. Sanderson would forgive you if it was late. We can drop it in the mailbox on the way out. Are you about ready to go? We don’t have much time.”
“I just need to grab my purse. Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going? Can we bring Reno?”
“We’re going on a secret mission, and yes, I brought provisions for my buddy.” He winked at Reno as he came to Amber’s side.
“A secret mission sounds fun. I’ll be right back.” She petted Reno’s head. “Go visit.”
Reno’s tail wagged, and he made a beeline for Dash. Dash loved him up, and a few minutes later they headed out. Amber dropped the card in the mailbox, and then they climbed into his car. As he pulled away from the curb, Amber said, “Shea doesn’t mess around with your PR. I set up Google alerts for your book tour, and I usually get a few each week, but the internet has been on fire all day. We’ve been getting calls about the signing from people who live an hour or two away. I’m a little worried that we’ll run out of books.”
He shrugged. “If we do, we do.”
“How can you be so nonchalant about it? I’m a nervous wreck. I didn’t realize how big a deal this was going to be. Lindsay came by to go over my plan. You met her at the jam session, remember? Nana’s granddaughter? Pretty blonde.”
“I remember her. When you ran away, she made a remark about flirting lessons.”
“That would be her, and we’re not going to discuss that. She’s an event planner, and she told me about an engagement party she handled for a college football player in Maryland. It sounded like a wild crowd. I knew you were a big deal to people who like football, but I guess I didn’t realize how big that crowd is. Lindsay thinks I’ll be fine with a few modifications to the setup, so that’s good. But I’m still nervous about it.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. People will line up, I’ll sign books, Hawk will take pictures, and then it’ll be over and we’ll all go to dinner.”
She looked at him like he’d lost his mind as he drove through town toward Hemlock Park. “Have you ever been to a book signing?”
“No, but we’re talking about readers, not football fans who paint their faces and show up drunk from tailgating.”
“If only. We’re talking about a whole different group here, and I didn’t really think it through until today. We’re talking about your fans. The men and women who appreciate you on the field or when you give motivational talks. And we’re expecting general readers who might be interested in hearing what you have to say, but we’re also talking about fangirls who may or may not read but would do anything to get in front of you. That’s the group that worries me. They can get loud and aggressive, and God forbid someone butts in line.”
“You’re really worried about that?”
“I’d be stupid if I weren’t. When my phone started blowing up today, I realized that, and Lindsay’s right. I’m going to have to rearrange things differently than I had planned to make more room for people who are waiting in line. This afternoon I went to the other businesses on the street and apologized ahead of time in case we get so many people the line goes all the way down the sidewalk and blocks their doorways.”
He hadn’t realized a book signing took so much preparation. He pulled off the road by the far end of the park and cut the engine, meeting her worried eyes as he took her hand. “Shea will be there to help keep things under control, and you know I won’t let anything get out of hand. Hawk will be there, too, and I’ll clue him in on your worries. I can ask Sin to help, too.”