CHAPTER 13 LINCOLN

"How did you meet Sam?" Troy asks.

"There's a barbecue joint across from the offices and she was there one night when I walked in."

He chuckles. "The Gridiron?"

I nod.

"That's a great place. You know, I actually met Joanie at a private club here in Vegas," he says. He lowers his voice as he talks, and I can't help but wonder what sort of club it is, exactly. "I used to be an owner, but I sold my stake to Victor Bancroft."

"Why?" I ask.

He glances at his wife, who's chatting up Sam, before he turns back to me. "There was a bit of a scandal I didn't want to be associated with given my status in this town."

"What sort of club?" I ask, lowering my voice, too.

"One that requires an NDA to enter."

I clear my throat. "Exclusive because of price?"

"And activities," he concedes, confirming my suspicions. "The invitation is open to you, of course. After the initial excitement when word got out about the club thanks to someone who broke her NDA, we've been careful about membership. It's more than just what you're thinking, I'm certain. We have three floors and a variety of entertainment options."

"I appreciate that, but if I'm correctly reading the situation, it's probably for the best for me to get through my first year here with my nose clean." Imagine the scandal that would break if that got out. Coach Lincoln Nash spotted at secret sex club with secret lover Jolene Bailey.

Yeah…not a good look for my first year when I'm trying to build my reputation—or when I'm trying to hide what Jolene and I have.

I'm certainly not going to a sex club with Sam. That's for damn sure.

"I understand," he says simply. "How's the coaching gig so far?"

"Well, we haven't played any games yet, but my boys were looking good at OTAs and minicamp. We've got training camp next month and I'm ready to dig in, install plays, and get moving," I say, rubbing my hands together in anticipation as we move on to a subject I'm more comfortable with. "What about you? How's the season going?"

"It's going well, particularly given the fact that we're coming off a championship season," he says with a wide grin.

"With the success of both our teams, I think we should devise ways to work together. Community events, interviews, you name it." I take a sip of my whiskey.

"I think it's a great idea. Have your marketing team get with mine and we'll draw some things up," he offers. He glances over at his wife. "Joanie?"

She glances over at him with an expectant smile.

"Lincoln and I were just discussing how we think it would be in our best interest to come up with some events for both our fan bases. Got any ideas?" he asks.

"Off the top of my head, a joint garage sale to clear out old inventory, a celebrity golf tournament, skills clinics, food and toy drives, podcasts, player meet and greets, tailgate parties…"

"Ooh, how about a charity car wash where players have to wash cars?" Sam suggests.

Joanie laughs. "Oh my God, yes! I love that! Maybe you need to join my staff."

Sam giggles. "Oh, I've got a ton of ideas like that. An outdoor movie night, adult themed dance party, scavenger hunt, costume party."

Joanie types into her phone as Sam throws out more and more suggestions, and I think we'll have a whole bunch of joint activities for our teams coming up real soon.

The rest of the meal goes just as well, and we make plans to get together for dinner again next month. It'll be my busy season, but this is more than just building a new friendship in a city new to me. It's also a good business move to find ways that we can satisfy both our fan bases at the same time.

The night comes to an end, and we say our goodbyes in the parking lot to Troy and Joanie.

But a guy I recognize from the paparazzi has been watching us most of the evening, snapping photos upon occasion, and I spot him toward the back of the parking lot now.

This is my chance.

"Samantha, I told you a thousand times not to worry about how much I'm spending! I'll treat you to whatever I damn well please!"

I thought about picking a fight about how she still has feelings for her ex, but I'm not going to publicly push her into something she doesn't want made common knowledge.

This, though…this could work. It gives off the impression that I've been buying too many things for my girlfriend, which must mean she's really my girlfriend, right? But it's also showing she's uncomfortable with the way I'm spending my money. It doesn't necessarily make either of us look bad the way something like cheating might, and couples fight over money all the time, right? It was even a point of contention when she signed the contract to fake date me.

She looks epically confused for a beat. I incline my head just slightly toward the side to indicate we're being watched, and even though I'm not totally sure she picks up what I'm dropping, she jumps in to play along.

"It's ridiculous, Lincoln! I don't need fancy jewelry and clothes for every outing we take. I'm perfectly content with the way I've always done things."

I take the moment to glance around pointedly, and my eyes land on the dude from the paparazzi who's been watching us. He's now filming our fight.

"Please don't," I beg him. "Just leave us alone to have our argument in private." I turn back to Sam. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

"Maybe I don't want to get out of here, Lincoln. I'm tired of you spoiling me like this. Sometimes I just want my old normal life back." She folds her arms across her chest for a beat and gives me a look that stops me dead in my tracks.

I know this is a fake fight, but sometimes this woman scares the crap out of me.

"Fine. Maybe that's what you should have, then." I stalk toward the car, and she chases after me, sliding into the passenger seat. We don't exchange a word as I peel out of the parking lot, but once we're far enough away from the man stealing photos and video of us, she finally drops the act.

"What was that about?"

"I can't keep up the act with someone who wants to be with someone else, Sam."

"First, what? And second…you just called me Sam." She says it sweetly like it just made her melt a little.

I can't help a small laugh. "I won't be the one to keep you from going after what you really want, and I figured if we start fighting in public, our break-up won't come as such a shock, right?"

"You aren't keeping me from anything, Lincoln," she protests.

I get on the highway to head toward her place. "Yes, I am. You're still in love with your ex."

"So what? He's engaged now."

"Because he thinks it's over with you," I say gently.

She huffs and folds her arms over her chest again, this time actually a little annoyed with me rather than pretending to be.

"If a little embarrassment is the worst thing that'll happen if you take your shot and the answer is no, then so be it. But what if you take your shot and the answer is yes?" I ask.

"I could ask you the same question," she quietly shoots back.

And that gives us both something to chew on the rest of the way home.