Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Concern has me dipping my brows. She’s edgy. “Are you okay?” I ask.
“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Just tired, and you kids need some time without your momma hanging around. Landon, thank you for inviting me. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’ll have the team car drive you. We have one for emergency purposes.” Mom tries to stop him, but he has his phone out and arrangements made, not bothering to listen to her protests.
Landon and I walk Mom outside and wave goodbye as the car pulls away. “You think she was acting funny?”
“I don’t know her well enough to tell. It’s a plausible story. I wouldn’t sleep well either, knowing I was getting to see you after six long months.”
“Six months is way too long.”
“Agreed. Has your mom ever thought about moving to California?”
“Nah, she loves where she lives. I’ve tried to convince her to move a few times, but she always says she has a life in Georgia. I get it, but I miss her. Sometimes I wonder if I should move back home to be closer to her.”
“We need to start working on her. I can’t lose you to Georgia. I’d never get to see you during the season, and that is not something I could live with.”
“I’m not moving.”
“I know. She is. We’re going to convince her. How about we fly her out for the holidays and have a couple of places for her to look at? Maybe sell the luxury of Los Angeles and the idea of seeing you more? Think that will work?”
“She’s visited before, Landon.”
“Yeah, but the stakes are higher this time around. You’re in a committed relationship, and soon, there will be grandkids involved, and she’s not going to want to miss that. We need to play that angle.”
“Grandkids?” I ask. We’re standing outside the hotel at the private back entrance, having this conversation. Anyone could be lurking and hear us, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“We both want kids, right? We talked about this.”
I nod slowly. “I do, and we did, but you’re thinking about us having kids?”
“That’s part of the progression of two people who love each other.”
Again, I nod. “It is. I guess I’m just surprised.”
“Tess.” He bends his knees so we’re eye to eye. “I love you. Not just for today or the present. I love you for the yesterdays, the todays, and the tomorrows. All of them—past, present, and future. That’s not going to change.”
“I love you, too.”
“Come on. Let’s go back inside and mingle. I want you to meet more of the team.”
Hand in hand, we make our way back into the hotel and spend the next two hours laughing and talking with his teammates. Luna and I talk for a long time, and she reminds me about her baby shower. It’s in a few weeks when the guys have a bye week. I can’t imagine having to work your life around a professional football team, but then again, that’s exactly what I’m doing. In my mind, Landon and I have two very different lives, but the reality is that we’ve made it work. Because we want it to work. It’s an enlightening revelation, and it makes our earlier talk hit home even more so. I want that with him. The future, house, kids. All of it. I’ve been afraid to voice it, but the want is deep-rooted in my soul.
“I guess we should get going.” I look across the room to where Autumn and Jeremy are talking to Thomas.
“I was planning on sneaking you up to my room.”
“You sound like a teenager.” I chuckle.
“Not that they’d actually check,” he says with a smile.
“No, you need your rest, and we’re not doing that to Trent.”
“Fine,” he grumbles good-naturedly. “Thanks for being here, baby. Thanks for letting me meet your mom.”
“No place I’d rather be.”
“I can think of one place,” he whispers huskily as his lips press to mine.
“Barker, keep it PG,” the deep voice from earlier says from behind us.
I can feel my face heat with embarrassment. “No promises,” Landon replies, cocky as ever.
“Landon,” I scold him under my breath.
“Tessa, it was nice to meet you.”
“You, too, Mr. Stamper.”
“Please.” He swallows hard. “Call me Joseph.”
I nod. “Landon, walk me out?”
“If I have to.” He sighs dramatically, and I can’t hide my smile.
“Come on, Number Eighteen, you need your beauty sleep.”
“Hey!” He pretends to be offended. We both know he doesn’t need beauty sleep. He was gifted with damn good genes, and he’s nowhere near offended.
“I was just coming to find you,” Autumn says as we approach. “I’m going to stay here tonight.” She snuggles into Jeremy’s chest.
“Shoulda been a fucking coach,” Landon grumbles, and we all laugh.
“Come on, you big baby. Walk me to the car. Autumn, if you need a ride tomorrow, just call me.”
“The team car will bring her home,” Jeremy replies confidently.