The Determined Groom: Texas Titan Romances Read online

  She caught his gaze and smiled, lifting a hand. “What’s the plan, bossy man?” she asked.

  He couldn’t resist crossing the open area, shaded with pine trees, to meet her. He liked the way she talked. “You’ll think I’m bossy after a week.”

  “I think you’re bossy already.” She gave him a sassy smile and he ate it right up.

  “Ready for a short run? Running’s easy for you, right?”

  “Don’t let it out, but I’d rather eat Spam than run. It’s my least favorite part of Warrior.” She put a little Western inflection on “Spam” and wrinkled her nose adorably, and Emmett wondered if he’d ever said or even thought the word adorable before. He also wondered if she’d really eaten Spam. He’d heard of the nasty fake meat, but the worst meat he’d ever tried was some greasy taco place his college buddies had dragged him to.

  “We’ll make you so strong the running will be easy.”

  “Big talker. Can you make the burpees easy too?”

  “Just don’t get penalties and you won’t need to do them.”

  She laughed. “Easier said than done. What do they do to your tough self when you screw up at football practice?”

  Emmett kind of hated thinking about practice. What would he do when the regular season started and he wasn’t practicing or playing? He’d thought he could keep the fitness camps going year round for adults and mostly focus on the youth in the summer, but if this week’s fail was any indication, maybe adults weren’t willing to take a week off and pay a premium price to become more fit.

  He pushed all of that away and flirted with Cambree, a little shocked she’d said “screw up.” Language was much worse than that on the field, but off the field the people he was around were too civilized to talk like that. Taking a step closer, he said, “I never make a mistake, so I don’t know.”

  She placed a hand on his chest. He wasn’t sure if it was to make him keep his distance or because she wanted to touch him. Fire raced through him at her simple touch. “Ha,” she muttered, and he could see how fast her breath was coming. He really liked that he affected her. “Everybody messes up sometimes.”

  “Not me. Near perfect. Ask my mom.”

  She removed her hand, which he hated, and gave him a brilliant smile, which he loved. “Those mamas. Can’t trust their biased opinions.”

  “Did your mom make you feel like you were the best thing in the world too?” he asked.

  Cambree nodded. “My mama would put a professional cheerleader to shame.”

  He grinned, commiserating. His parents could’ve bought any box in the Titans’ stadium, but his mom insisted on front-row seats so her boy could see how proud she was. Man, he was going to miss seeing them up in the stands. “My mom asked me once why I didn’t brag about myself. I told her she bragged enough for the both of us.”

  Cambree laughed. “Well, I hate to admit this and swell your head even more, but she has a lot to brag about.”

  He liked her, and it appeared she liked him too. She was very different from any woman she’d been around. It was refreshing and intriguing.

  “We hate to interrupt, but I think this is a fitness camp, not Flirtation 101.” Lucy was grinning at the two of them.

  Emmett returned her smile and wondered how everyone else had snuck up on them. Cambree was an expert at capturing all of his attention. “Short run through the property to warm up,” he said. He took off at a fast jog to let everyone warm up, and felt a surge of happiness when Cambree stayed by his side.

  The group stayed in a pretty tight pack for the first couple of miles, nobody saying much besides Britney trying to flirt with Emmett a little bit. Then Lucy smarted off. “What do you consider a long run?”

  “Twenty miles or more,” Emmett threw back at her.

  “Somebody shoot me now,” Lucy groaned. “Or maybe I’ll just die of the heat.”

  Emmett laughed. It was a June day in Texas, probably high nineties, and he had sweat dripping down his back. The trail they were running along was shady and by the lake, so it tempered the heat to manageable.

  Troy, Britney, Lucy, Tracy, and Mark dropped back a little bit. Gunner was chatting with Beau and Jacob about football. Cambree had claimed she didn’t like to run, but she was keeping pace easily. Emmett’s knee was throbbing, but he ignored it. Even though the doctors claimed he couldn’t injure the manufactured parts, he would probably always have pain. The injury had been four months ago and at least he didn’t have to wear the brace anymore.

  “How long are we running?” Cambree asked as they jogged along the path next to the oblong lake. They had rowboats out there that were only occasionally used. Sometimes one of the trainers would have a participant swim in the lake, but it was easier to use the Olympic-size pool next to the lodge.

  “It’s about a six-mile loop.”

  “Easy money.” Cambree smiled at him.

  “For you. I knew you were a good runner.”

  “Liar. You’d never heard my lowly name before today.”

  “Not true. I researched all of the participants so I could line them up with the right trainer, and I was able to watch you in some of your races. I was impressed. You’re even pre— … more impressive in person.” He risked a glance at her, and her angelic face was so open and trusting. She didn’t act like she’d even noticed his slip.

  “You’re not too shabby yourself,” Cambree said. “I guess with your family you can’t help but be a superstar.”

  “True.” His mom thought her boys could do no wrong, but his dad expected his sons to shine and had never tolerated anything but working toward perfection. “What do you know about my family?”

  She shrugged. “Just that the Hawk brothers are all hardworking, individual, successful, and hand— … impressive.”

  He chuckled. She had noticed his slip. “Are you okay with me admitting that you’re beautiful?”

  Cambree’s eyes widened and her cheeks got redder than the run was making them. “If you’re okay with me admitting that you’re handsome.”

  He smiled. “I guess I’m okay with that.”

  “With a face like yours, you’re probably sick of hearing it.”

  He shrugged, feeling his face flush. “My mom never got tired of telling me how handsome I was, but I thought it was only her who believed it, until I started playing in the NFL and all these articles started being printed about ‘hottest football player’ and all that crap.”

  “Oh, poor baby. Must’ve been hard on you.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “Time to change the subject. Tell me about your family.”

  They had made it to the end of the lake, and the path curved. Emmett noticed he and Cambree had a decent lead on the rest of the crew. He was surprised Troy hadn’t tried to run faster to prove how tough he was, but Troy was actually smiling at the back and talking to Britney, so that was a pleasant surprise. Maybe Britney would stay away from Emmett, and even more importantly, Troy would stay away from Cambree. Emmett hated the lewd looks he’d seen Troy give Cambree already.

  “Well, we’re nobody like the famous Hawk family.” Her voice was cautious and almost scared.

  “We’re just normal people, Cambree,” he said.

  Her eyebrows rose, but she didn’t comment.

  “Do you have siblings?” He wanted to draw her out, and he understood that his family would be intimidating if you didn’t know them.

  She nodded. “I’m the oldest of six. Two sisters and three brothers. My youngest brother, Luke, is a huge fan of yours, by the way. Hero worship doesn’t begin to describe the obsession.”

  “Ah, I like him already.” Though it made him uncomfortable to have anybody worshipping him. He was a quitter and it rubbed him wrong. His brother, Creed, was a Navy SEAL, and he was going to be disappointed when he found out Emmett couldn’t work his way back. “Who’s closest to you?”

  “My sister Jasmine. She didn’t get a scholarship like I did for college, so she went to beauty school. She’s a majo
r sweetie and just got engaged to her high school sweetheart. He has a machine shop and is ultra-successful. We’re all so proud. Well …”

  Emmett liked to listen to her talk. It was intriguing and real. Cambree was a person he’d notice in a crowd, and not just because of her beauty. The pause stretched on, and Emmett looked at her and prompted, “Well?”

  “Successful for our hometown. Nothing compared to the Hawk Dynasty.” She gestured to him.

  “Don’t do that,” Emmett said, though he loved how honest she was. He didn’t know anybody who spoke so candidly to him besides his brothers, mom, and coaches. “Working hard and earning your way is a huge success.”

  “Gracias.” She bowed kind of mockingly at him.

  They jogged in silence for a while, heading back toward the lodge and cabins.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “Sometimes I make things awkward.” Emmett tried to protest, but she continued, “You’re this icon and your family are, like, the princes of America. It’s as foreign to me as a famous opera singer being from Arkansas.”

  Emmett had to laugh at her last line, but he didn’t like the division between them and the way she perceived his family. It shouldn’t matter. He hardly knew her, and a romance with a fitness camp attendee wasn’t part of the plan, but he really, really liked her. “I promise we’re normal. My brothers and I wrestled like monkeys, and our mom baked us cookies and scolded us, and our dad was always there to give us ‘the talk’ about living up to our potential and making the Hawks look good. He did attend all of our sporting events.”

  “Looking perfect doesn’t sound fun.”

  “No,” he agreed.

  They were silent for a few beats. Then she said, “Tell me about your brothers.”

  He sensed she already knew all about them, but he pretended they were normal and not on the paparazzi radar at all times. “Callum’s the oldest. He runs Dad’s businesses and takes himself much too seriously. We tease him he should just sew his phone to his ear.”

  She laughed. “Maybe you should get him a Bluetooth for Christmas.”

  “He claims they don’t look professional. I think he likes people seeing him strutting around on his phone. All important-looking.”

  “You don’t like Callum?” She looked askance at him.

  Emmett shrugged. “We’re not close, but he’s a good guy. You’ll have to meet him to understand.”

  Her eyebrows rose, and Emmett realized what he’d insinuated. He hardly knew her, and he’d just implied she was going to meet his family. He didn’t even take the women he dated home to meet his mom.

  He rushed on. “Creed is next. He’s a Navy SEAL.” Pride crept into his voice, and he didn’t try to hide it. Creed was a superhero to him, and his success had nothing to do with money or social status and everything to do with working his tail off to be the best.

  “That’s amazing. Where is he stationed?”

  “Syria right now. He’s got a mission coming up that he’s worried about. I mean, he never would say that, but I can hear it, you know?”

  She nodded. “My daddy was a policeman, killed in a shootout with some drug dealers.” Her eyes widened after she spoke, and she upped her pace.

  “I’m so sorry,” Emmett said.

  “No. I shouldn’t have said that. Your brother won’t get killed. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry about your dad.”

  She shook her head, and Emmett was amazed they’d gotten to this depth of conversation, but running with somebody did that—you opened up and shared all.

  “And your last brother?” she asked.

  She obviously wanted to move on, and he did too. Thinking about Creed getting killed made his neck tighten and emotion rise to the surface. He was closest to Creed and loved his confidence and the way he teased. Emmett couldn’t stand the thought of losing him, but they all knew Creed’s life was anything but safe. It terrified his parents, yet they were both very proud of Creed.

  “Bridger.” He couldn’t help but smile. “He’s the youngest and he’s a … punk.”

  “Excuse me?” Cambree let out a surprised laugh. “I’m the one who says things too bluntly.”

  Emmett chuckled. “You’re right, I shouldn’t say that about my brother. He’s hilarious and just … sucks the marrow out of life. He can make a joke out of anything and everything, and it makes my dad and Callum about crazy.” He kept talking, partially because he loved talking about Bridger, but mostly because focusing on Bridger took away the darkness of Creed being in constant danger and Cambree sharing that her dad had died. He hated that she’d gone through that. He wanted to know how old she’d been when he was killed and how her mom had dealt and was dealing with being a single mom, and if any of her siblings were struggling, but he tried to keep things light and focus on Bridger. “Have you ever seen that show Point Break?”

  “I saw the new one and the old one.”

  “So Bridger is like one of those guys. Life’s all about the next thrill, and he and his friends take nothing seriously.”

  “I actually saw him at the world surfing finales on TV, and he is wicked awesome,” she gushed. He must’ve pulled a face, because she backtracked. “I mean, if he isn’t your brother, it’s cool what he does. They call him an extreme athlete, right?”

  “Yeah. Lately he’s been focusing on wakeboarding and getting ready for the X Games. My mom is actually thrilled with this venture, because wakeboarding is safer than heli-skiing, cave diving, big wave surfing, ice climbing, or wingsuit flying.” They were almost back to the main lodge and open grassy area now. Emmett had to blame it on the comfortable running pace and pleasant company that he kept sharing so much about his family, but the beautiful, candid lady at his side was easy to talk to. “My mom says it’s hard enough Creed puts his life on the line for his country. Bridger puts his life on the line for an adrenaline rush.”

  “Ooh. I bet that pisses her right off.” Cambree blew out a breath. “I hate that for her, and I don’t even know either of them.”

  Had she really said the word “pisses”? Emmett had to fight not to laugh. She was definitely not his usual date. Not that he was dating her. Cambree was looking at him, so he continued, “It is tough on her, but if you spent five minutes with Bridger, you just can’t help but like the kid. He’s kind of like Gunner.”

  Cambree smiled. “Gunner’s a stud muffin.”

  And just like that, Emmett’s gut tightened with jealousy. He shook it off, and they slowed to a walk as they approached the manicured lawn next to the main lodge. The group filtered in next to them and Emmett turned to Tracy. “Why don’t you lead us in a cooldown, then we’ll eat lunch, do a tour of the facility, and do individual sessions after that?”

  “Sounds great.” Tracy started into some yoga stretches, which were even more effective with their muscles warm from the run. Emmett found his gaze straying to Cambree time and again. He’d loved chatting with her on the run. He’d opened up more than he’d thought possible in such a short time.

  His knee ached as they bent into a squat, and he was reminded of the lie he was telling the world right now, pretending to be getting ready for the season when in reality he was a washout. Should he tell Cambree the truth? He shook his head. His agent and his dad’s media advisors were insistent nobody knew until Emmett made the announcement that he’d be focusing on his fitness camps and stepping down from the Titans. It had to look like his choice and not dictated by his knee or his coaches, or the whole camp idea would just look like a desperate washed-out player trying to hold on to something he’d lost. Only Emmett and those few people would know the truth. If only there was another path for him that led back to football.

  Chapter Three

  Cambree was even more impressed with the camp after they ate a buffet-style lunch that was delicious, fresh, and had more variety than her sixth-grade girls had mood swings. Then they took the tour of the facility, and she had to clench her jaw to keep it from dropping. She caught Emmett watching her fo
r a reaction a few times. He really seemed to give a flip what she thought, but she wondered if her reaction just made her look like even more of a hick. They came from different worlds. Polar opposite worlds. She’d thought her ex-fiancé was high-society, but he was nothing compared to Emmett. The only time she could say she and Emmett truly related was her having lost her dad and his fear of losing his brother. Still, it had been rocking to chat while they ran. Nothing like a run to get somebody to spill their crap.

  They each paired off and started training for their specific events. Cambree had been hoping Emmett would be her trainer, and when he motioned to her and they walked together into the open gym area, an area he’d told them they’d added at the first of the summer for the camps, she finally dared ask, “So does this mean you’re the dopest trainer for a Warrior racer?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He winked, and her heart seemed to stutter before restarting. “Maybe not the best in the world, but the best at this camp.”

  “You’d better be the rocking best boy. I’m counting on you to make me flex on everybody else. Number one or nothing, baby.”

  “You’re already number one in my book.” He gave her a goofy smile.

  “That was cheesy, Hawk.”

  “I like you calling me Hawk.” He took a small step closer, but it was enough she could smell warm and musky cologne and she could see the sparkle in his dark eyes. The gym around them disappeared, and she couldn’t remember a single goal besides staying close to this splendid man.

  “And they’re at it again.” Lucy’s dry voice came from behind them. “You two going to actually work out this week, or is the pitter-patter of your hearts enough of a workout?”

  Emmett chuckled and took a step back. “You focus on your own exercise, Nana Lucy, and stop worrying about us.”

  She laughed and took the weighted bar Mark handed her, then followed his instructions to drop into some deep walking lunges across the gym floor.