One and Only (Wilder Family, #1)

by Karla Sorensen

Hopefully finding someone who will pretend to marry me for financial compensation because I didn’t know how else to feel in control of a very uncontrollable situation.

Coleman is a tight end with Parker.”

Most of my teammates knew about Olive, but only a couple knew any deeper than the obvious. Parker Wilder was one of them. Clearly, he hadn’t shared any details with his sister.

The slight curl of attraction I felt beneath my ribs was wholly unwelcome, given what was going on in my life and the bigness of how it was about to change. But I could hardly make it disappear.

“Parker didn’t”—she paused—“he didn’t give me much information about you. Or why you need a space for her now.” “Probably because I didn’t tell him.”

“I’ve got a bit over a month before Olive moves in full time,” I told her.

My hand tingled when I pulled it away from hers. I wanted to flex my fingers, shake the sensation free from my skin.

I thought about Parker, one of my only close friends on the team. If his sister was into something, I’d never be able to look him in the eye if I didn’t speak up.

Her jaw dropped open; her eyes locked where I held her in place. Not because I wanted to hurt her. Not because it was any of my business. Because something in my gut screamed that I shouldn’t be walking away right now. Underneath my fingers, her pulse was wild. “Be careful,” I said urgently. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull off, but no matter what it is, it’s not worth you trusting a stranger with something like this.”

“She seems to have that effect on everyone who’s sat in that booth with her tonight, if that helps.” I gave him a dry look. “It doesn’t.”

Josie and I had come so far in six years of co-parenting, and I wouldn’t let one moment of irritation undo how hard we’d worked to do this in a healthy, balanced way for the sake of our daughter.

“You teach her how to do that, Coleman?” “Worked on it on the way in.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “I’m hoping she helps you go bald before you turn forty.” He scratched his nose with his middle finger.

“I’m glad Beckett mentioned this event today,” Greer continued. “I would hate to miss an opportunity to see my brother.” When Parker’s jaw tightened, the subtext of her statement had me staring down at the floor. “I didn’t think anyone would drive over to Portland for this,” Parker said. “Well, maybe you can let us decide that for ourselves next time.”

When Olive smiled back at Greer—only the slightest curl to her lips, but a smile nonetheless—my heart stuttered over a few beats.

“But he doesn’t want treatment for this round. He wants to enjoy what’s left of his life, and even though that’s really hard for us”—she paused, clearing her throat—“Parker is struggling with that decision more than the rest of us.”

“That one of his biggest regrets is that he won’t be able to walk one of us girls down the aisle. See us get married.”

When Olive whispered something to Parker, I had that familiar tightening in my chest whenever I saw her happy, saw her comfortable. Parker nodded encouragingly, and she turned toward where Greer and I were standing. My daughter wasn’t looking at me. She was looking at the beautiful woman at my side. And she waved.

Greer stepped back, waited for Parker to take off running, and then did a little hopping step back, stepped forward, and threw a perfect spiral, which Parker pulled in with one arm. Olive bounced on her toes and smiled. Wide. Happy.

I knew exactly how I could help Greer with her insane—albeit noble—cause. And how she could help me with my problem in return.

You can’t fix everything, Greer. Oh, I hated hearing that voice whisper in the back of my head because yes, I fucking could.

“You want to …?” When my voice trailed off, he nodded slowly. “Be your fake husband. If you’ll be my fake wife.”

“And you… that’s another hurdle we’ll have to cover.” “Excuse me?” He licked at his bottom lip. “You, Greer Wilder, are not my type.” My jaw dropped, an affronted noise slipping out of my mouth. “You’re not my type either, Mr. Quiet and Judgy.”

Then he tugged my hand up toward his mouth, brushing a featherlight kiss along my knuckles.

“First Adaline, and now you,” he said, referencing our sister who was happily with one of his former teammates. “I am never introducing my sisters to anyone ever again,” he mumbled, walking out of the room with a scoff.

Everyone would believe us because dammit, I said so. “If that’s the kind of pep talk you give your team, I’d hate to be in that locker room at halftime,” I told him. He muttered something, but I couldn’t understand it. But the grumbly, annoyed tone had me grinning nonetheless.

“Jobsite dictator,” I said absently, studying the bones of the room. “Making changes and breaking the hearts of every man in the room who thought the plans were finalized.”

He pulled two small hair ties out of his front pocket and wrapped them deftly on the ends of her braids. I had to roll my lips together because this was about the hottest thing I’d ever seen any man do, and I saw a Magic Mike live show in Vegas once upon a time, so that was saying something.

“Miss Greer and Daddy were hugging in the kitchen,” she said. Josie’s eyes widened. Beckett exhaled a quiet laugh, his eyes darting over to mine incredulously. Micah smothered a grin. “Well … I guess someone let the cat out of the bag first.” “Really?” Josie asked Beckett. “Are you two…?” Beckett slid his arm around my waist. “I was going to tell you tonight.” Her smile was immediate and relieved. “Oh Beckett, it’s about time,” she said with a laugh.

Beckett dropped his chin to his chest, and only I was close enough to hear his relieved sigh. “Thank you,” he breathed. Taking a chance, I tilted up and placed a featherlight kiss against his cheek. I didn’t look at his face as I walked toward Josie and Olive, and I didn’t look at his face as I picked up the box of samples and took a seat on the couch to show them some of my ideas. But I felt him staring at me the entire time.

“Why is Parker looking at you like that?” Reyes asked, leaning in close but saying it loudly enough that everyone in the immediate vicinity could hear him. The man in question, sitting in front of his locker as we all showered after running some drills, was glaring mightily in my direction. I sighed. “Because he’s trying to provoke me.” “My sister,” Parker said. “I haven’t seen you show any interest in any woman since I’ve met you, and you have to go for my sister.” Reyes whistled under his breath. “Got it.” I scratched the side of my jaw. “Feeling overly protective, Parker?” He huffed a laugh. “Not for you. I think Greer is going to eat you up and spit you out, and then I’m going to have to deal with your mopey ass. You’ll stop working as hard, and you won’t catch for shit, and we’ll lose all our games, all because my sister broke your heart.”

Maybe Coleman needed to get laid, and now he won’t be so serious all the time.” “My sister,” Parker reiterated, snatching at the towel. Our QB laughed, snapping at him again.

but hearing him talk about Greer that way had me clenching my fists. Parker noticed. He grinned, the first crack I’d seen in him since we’d met at the facility that morning. When the grin faded, he turned to Roberts. “Better watch out, Robbo, Beckett might not like you as much if you talk about his girl like that.” She wasn’t my girl. Not really. I was just … borrowing her for a while.

“I think that’s your sister for me, Parker. She’s a game changer in my life.”

“Tell them I said hi,” he managed. His jaw was tight when he glanced up at me, but I could tell he meant it. Then he grinned. “And don’t let Poppy scare you off.”

When the flavors exploded on my tongue, I moaned appreciatively. “I take it back,” I told Greer. “I’m not sharing.” They all laughed, Greer leaning into my shoulder as she covered her mouth.

“She’s fearless,” I said. “Some people are too afraid to love that way, undaunted by whatever might come next, which might look like sweetness to some. But I just see a big, brave heart.”

“I don’t know that Greer needs me to take care of her, but I do know that I need her in my life. That she makes everything just a bit easier when she’s around.” I cleared my throat. “She gives the best hugs. And her mind is the most terrifyingly incredible thing I’ve ever seen.” Greer grinned. “Is that your way of saying I scare you?” “Only a little,” I admitted.

“If we line up the chairs this way, you and Dad can come from inside the house and Beckett won’t have to see you before the wedding.” Poppy tilted her head. “Are we doing that old-fashioned stuff?” “No.” “Yes,” my mom said at the same time. She and I traded a look. When I saw the mom-glint buried deep in the depths of her blue eyes, I held up my hands. That was not a battle worth fighting. I’d lose, judging by the look in her eye. I’d lose painfully, too.

Was it over the top to keep kicking Poppy under the table? Maybe I’d always keep her within reach of my leg so I could nail the shit out of her calf every time she asked an annoyingly rational question.

knowing that no matter who came up against her, she’d never back down easily. It made me wonder, just for a moment, what she was like in submission. My hands tightened into fists, and I ruthlessly shoved that thought to the back of my head.

She’d swoon if I told her he made a good strong pot of coffee and did quiet thoughtful things like leave a mug out for me the first day I was there, even though he was up a couple of hours before I liked to start the day.

After coffee, I searched the pantry, grinning when I found a new box of oatmeal next to his very healthy, very boring options. It hadn’t been there the day before. I pulled it out and laughed. Apples and cinnamon. On it was another note. Now you can have apple pie for breakfast.

“You know how when someone tells you a secret, you get an unspoken pass to tell your spouse?” Cameron said. “Is that how it works?” I asked. He ignored me. “Jax is the spouse I get to tell.” “Thanks,” Jax said dryly.

Christian shook his head. “Did you do the thing I told you to do?” My face felt warm, so I angled away from him to stretch out my back. “Yeah.” “What thing?” Melinda asked. “The coffee,” he said. She sighed, melting into her husband almost instantaneously. “I love it when you make the coffee for me.” He slung an arm around her shoulder, kissing the top of her head. “I know you do. That’s why I do it.” What a simple thing. When Christian heard in the weight room that she was moving in after our quickie wedding, it was his number one piece of marriage advice. Set up the coffee she likes before you go to bed. Put out her favorite mug. It’ll be waiting for her when she wakes up. “Seriously?” I asked him. “That’s the advice?” “Yes.” His face was shockingly earnest. “Every single day, she wakes up knowing you’re thinking about her. That shit matters when you do a job like this one. They don’t get the time they want with us during the season, but you better believe my wife knows I go to bed and wake up with her on my mind.”

“Ahh.” She stretched her arm out over her head and groaned. “Perfect. That means we get to start our marriage with me kicking your ass.” My eyebrows arched slowly. “You think so?” Greer waltzed past, her shoulder brushing mine as she did, and she gave me a searing look over her shoulder. “I don’t think so, Coleman. I know it.” I blew out a harsh breath and tried very hard not to stare at my wife’s ass as I followed her over to line up.

I’d chosen right, I thought for the hundredth time.

“Do you like it?” she asked. Olive didn’t answer. She let out a shaky exhale, then turned to Greer, throwing her arms around her neck in a tight hug. Then she nodded into Greer’s neck. “You gave me butterflies,” she said. My eyes burned when a tear slid down Greer’s face unchecked. She carefully returned the embrace and let out a huge, shoulder-dropping exhale. “I did.”

I’d kept myself so busy in that room all week because it was something tangible I could do, but now that it was done, my role in the house felt incredibly uncertain.

She nodded immediately. “I like Greer. She has nice eyes.” Beckett smiled. “I think she has pretty eyes too.” My cheeks flushed warm, and I was just about to back away from the door when Olive shook her head, selecting a different shade of the color pencil. “No. Not pretty. I can see her nice through her eyes.” My heart lurched, like some great big pulse of joy couldn’t quite push through my veins. Beckett slowly lowered his pencil and stared incredulously at his daughter. “You mean you can tell she’s a good person from her eyes?” Olive nodded. “That’s why I like Parker too. I can see his nice too.”

When Olive showed me her first attempt, I beamed. “Love it.” She rolled her lips between her teeth, then sat up to mimic my posture. “Can you show me some more?” she asked. Beckett and I traded a loaded look. I was officially in the Olive Coleman circle of trust. Be cool. I managed a small nod. “I’d love to.” She exhaled in relief, her shoulders dropping.