Austin glanced at the monitor and grinned. “Maybe if she’d continued to cry and scream at me all the time, I wouldn’t have come around so fast. But Jenny makes it easy.”
“And Quinn taught you everything you needed to know,” his uncle said.
Austin let out a laugh. “You could more than say that.”
“Have you thought about what I suggested? About going after what you want?” Paul asked, following Austin’s gaze to where Quinn was laughing with the other women.
Austin rolled his shoulders. “I’ve thought about it a lot. Unfortunately I learned last night that Quinn broke up with her fiancé because he wanted kids and she didn’t.”
And it had hurt badly. Mostly because of the decision he’d made. “I’m going to fight for Jenny whether she’s mine or not. Quinn not wanting kids is kind of a big barrier when the woman you love is finished raising other people’s children.”
And he did love her. His feelings for her had grown from the day they’d met, but this last week had shown him that Quinnlyn Stone was everything he desired in a partner.
His uncle looked to Quinn, who caught their gaze. Realizing they were talking about her, she flushed and glanced away. “Maybe she needs an adjustment period, too, but hers is just longer than yours. I see how she looks at you. Give it time.”
Austin managed a nod because, really, what choice did he have?
“Now that your mother’s feeling better, is Quinn going to move out?” Paul asked.
Austin’s heart squeezed in his chest at the possibility. “I sure as hell hope not but that’s been the promise all along.” He hated the idea of going back to merely boss and assistant, never acknowledging the intense desire between them again.
“Look! Damon’s in!” Ron gestured to the screen and the family gathered around to watch.
The screen was full movie-theater size, and Austin liked feeling as if he were on the field with every play. His brother had incredible talent and smarts as a quarterback, already earning six million dollars a year. They were banking on him reaching double digits in the next contract.
Austin watched the second quarter, keeping an eye on Damon. The Thunder were short on the first down. Austin leaned in closer. Quinn sat on his other side, surprising him.
Not caring who was watching, he grasped her hand and held on tight. Next play, Damon dropped back to pass the ball and was immediately wrapped up by Dwayne Carter, a New York cornerback.
Everything next happened in slow motion in Austin’s brain. Damon was hit head on by Nick Markowski, a defensive end, and slammed to the ground, his head ramming against the turf.
They waited for him to get up. To move.
“Come on, man. Sit up,” Austin said.
The announcers were discussing the fact that Damon remained on the ground, unconscious.
“Fuck!” Austin flew from his seat on a yell.
His mother screamed.
Quinn jumped up and grasped Austin’s forearm, as they all watched in horror what unfolded on the big screen. They didn’t need the announcers to tell them something awful had occurred or that they had to get to New York now.
Bri grabbed her mother’s hand and Austin pulled his phone out of his pocket. Before he could call Ian Dare, his brother’s team owner and the family member with a private jet, Austin’s cell rang in his hand.
“Ian.”
“I’m headed downstairs now,” the other man said, out of breath as he obviously rushed to Damon’s side.
“We need your plane,” Austin said, he didn’t ask.
“Done.” For family, Ian would do anything. “The problem is it’s in New York. I’m sending it back for you. Be ready in three hours.” Ian disconnected the call.
Austin looked up to see his brother’s face. Teammates swarmed him and as he suddenly opened his eyes. Trainers leaned over him and finally he was put on a stretcher and carried off the field.
Jesus. Austin’s heart broke for his sibling. Despite being Damon’s agent, Austin cared only about his brother’s injury and pain and that he get the best treatment possible. The television was showing the play over and over.
“Amy?” Quinn’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she spoke into her cell. “I need you to come over here and stay the night. Maybe a couple of nights. Austin’s brother was hurt and we’re going to New York.” As Quinn spoke, she dropped one arm and grasped his hand in hers.
Quinn obviously wasn’t letting Austin face Damon’s injury alone, and he was grateful for her steady support.
“Who’s coming to New York?” Austin asked the family. “Plane is in New York but Ian’s sending it back here. We need to be ready in approximately three hours.”
“I’m going,” his mother said.
“Me,” Bri added. “I’ll take Mom to grab what she needs from home and we’ll meet you back here?”
Austin nodded.
“We’ll hold down the fort here.” Paul was hugging Christine tight. “You guys go get ready. I’ll have a car here for you to take you to the airport.”