Page 10 of Running
Itake in the two squealing girls, and resist saying the thought that jumps into my mind.
Yeah, girls, I know. He’s scream-worthy.
Regardless of how I feel about our college encounter, there’s no denying Johnson oozes masculine appeal now that I’m in his presence.
I’m still shocked I’m even here. But I couldn’t think of a way to stay home that wouldn’t set off alarm bells for Rawls, who’s used to us all being stuck together like glue when he’s in town.
So I agreed to come, with a plan to stand by the car and watch them practice, away from the fray. Away fromhim. And I’d been ready to retreat at a moment’s notice.
Johnson came straight over to me though, and my plan went out the window.
“Girls, stop screaming,” comes a voice behind them. An older man I recognize appears. By older, I mean maybe forty. His brown hair has streaks of gray around the temples, and he’s dressed like an actual adult with a button-down shirt and slacks.
“Hey, Aiden, glad the door code worked.” Johnson must have been expecting him, by his unsurprised tone. Aiden is Johnson and Landon’s agent. Maybe soon to be Rawley’s too.
Johnson twists towards me, as if he wants to make sure I’m alright with the interruption. “This will take just a few minutes.”
“No problem at all.”
I lean back against the kitchen island, my eyes drifting over the scene before returning to Johnson.
Being in his proximity, in a way I’ve avoided since I moved here…it’s setting off all sorts of observations.
Summed up best as: Johnson is all man now, and that college boy I knew is gone.
It’s not only his being even more chiseled after two years in the NFL, muscles popping out of his Waves t-shirt, physical strength radiating off him.
There are other differences too. His clean-shaven face from college is presently covered in a black beard and mustache, making him look even older than his twenty-three years. His eyes look sharper, wiser, maybe even a little jaded.
He’s not a kid anymore—but neither are you.
He still has Southern boy manners, is friendly and a good host. Maybe a little unsure what to say at first, but then welcoming.
An ember of curiosity flicks up in my mind from that—he isn’t acting like I’d have assumed.
“Sorry about the girls, Grace,” Aiden says, pulling my focus back to him. His nieces have quieted down at his instruction but are still softly giggling together. “They’re staying with me right now, and I wanted to get Johnson some papers he needed to sign.”
“It’s totally fine, Aiden.” Twisting their way, I smile at them.
“Speaking of which, nice to meet you.” Johnson’s voice is warm, causing them to giggle louder. “Your uncle talks about you all the time.”
Their faces light up in response, and I suspect he’s made those girls’ day by acknowledging them.
Johnson turns back to Aiden and takes the papers. “It’s good to have you down here in person.”
“The conference I’m going to begins on Monday, and Ithought it’d be fun for the girls to go to some amusement parks with me this weekend.” Aiden pauses, looking like he’s trying to find the right way to bring something up. “One thing, Johnson, are you sure about the donation? I brought those papers too, but…”
Johnson nods vehemently. “Yeah, stop trying to talk me out of it.”
“What’s the donation?” I can’t help being intrigued. They both turn in my direction.
“It’s no big deal,” Johnson responds.
“This guy here is about to give his entire fifteen million check from the Flash Fuel endorsement to start a program for kids whose parents are struggling with alcohol addiction.” Flash Fuel is a sports drink that has become trendy.
I stare at Johnson. A fifteen million dollar donation? I wonder what inspired that? It’s so much money to give, even to a worthy cause.
“It’s happening, Aiden,” he says firmly. “The endorsement is just one of many. Money is not going to be a problem, and Lily’s given us the thumbs up. We have our billion-dollar plan.” I know from passing comments by Landon that Lily is Johnson’s business manager.
