Dare To Play (Dare Nation #3) - Carly Phillips Page 0,31

Still, better he stuck to the facts.

“The kid’s mother wants her back after being an absentee parent, and being splashed all over the internet is going to hurt Macy’s case. Us getting married will give her a solid family situation in order to help win custody. And we know management will be relieved I’m settling down.”

Linc dropped his bag onto the ground. “Let me get this straight. You’re going from a bachelor who fucks anything that walks to a guy with a kid. Overnight.”

“You’re a dick. But that about sums it up. I’m going to get my life together.” He wanted that. Having dinner with Macy had been nice. Normal. And he wanted to help her with Hannah. He also desired to get her back into bed. “That’s the plan and I believe we can help each other. Not to mention it’s good for me to focus on something other than myself.”

“Wow.” Linc stared at him for a long while. “Why do I get the feeling you really like this girl?”

Jaxon shrugged, thinking of the simple meal in her small kitchen, the way she wanted to help her sister, and her beautiful brown eyes. “Because I do. Now will you help me pick out rings?”

Although this was a marriage of convenience, he and Macy would be together for a prolonged period of time, and he wanted her to have a ring suitable for the wife of a Major League Baseball player.

“And will you come to the wedding on Saturday at my house?” he asked before Linc had even replied about ring shopping. “There’ll be an evite in your email later today. Bri’s at the top of her game.”

“Jesus. You’re serious.” Linc ran a hand through his hair. “Lizzie isn’t going to believe this,” he said of his wife. “Okay, sure. Make sure you sign a prenup,” he reminded him.

“Austin already has it in the works. Called me first thing this morning. I don’t anticipate a problem in that area. Macy isn’t with me for my money. She wants the same things I do. Marriage and stability.”

Linc stared. “Every woman you’ve ever been with wanted your money.”

“Macy doesn’t and you’ll see that once you meet her. I’ll drive to the jewelry store and bring you back to your car afterwards.”

A couple of hours and many thousands of dollars later, Jaxon had a Tiffany ring in his pocket that he hoped would fit, matching wedding bands with a promise they’d be sized properly by Friday, and he dropped off his still-stunned best friend back at the gym where they’d started.

Once he was alone, he picked up the phone and called Bri on the audio of his car while driving to Macy’s house.

She answered on the first ring. “Hey, bro. Everything good?” she asked.

He pulled onto the highway as he replied, “It is. I bought rings, so I’m trying not to panic, but I’m okay.”

Bri grumbled something, then said, “Just don’t hurt her.”

“I don’t plan on it,” he said, offended. “Give me some credit, will you?”

“This is just out of your depth and I’m worried about both of you,” Bri said with a sigh.

“And I appreciate it but everything will be fine. Except for one thing. I was thinking about what a big family we have and how she just lost her dad a short time ago. What can I do to make this easier for her?”

“Aww, you have a heart. Who knew?” His sister laughed, teasing him as he was used to. “But seriously. That’s so sweet. And true. Well, we can get Uncle Paul to walk her down the aisle if she’s open to it, and maybe I can talk to Hannah and find something from Macy’s mom so she has something old. I know Hannah’s not always an easy kid, but let me give it a shot.”

“Do you have her number?” he asked.

“Umm, no.”

He could figure that out. “I’m headed there now. I’ll find a way to talk to her. Either ask myself or get you her phone number.”

He flipped on his signal and took the exit off the highway to Macy’s house. “Thanks for everything. I know how hard you’re working to pull this off. And I know I forced us into this situation, but it’s going to help Macy, too.”

Bri was quiet for a moment, then said, “You’re just full of surprises lately.”

“Meaning?”

“Oops, I have another call. Have to run. Talk to you soon, Jax. Love you,” she said and disconnected them.

“Women,” he grumbled to himself. Half the