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)
“Yeah, the vet said it’s a fifty-fifty chance of recovery at this point. We caught it soon, which is good. It’s just a wait-and-see kind of thing,” she explains to Autumn. “Oh, and before I forget, he wanted me to tell you he’d be back next week for the other animals' checkups and that if you want to bring Pinky, plan on Thursday.”
I still can’t believe that Autumn and Jeremy have a pet pig in their house. A farting pig, apparently, from the stories I’ve heard. It’s odd, but to each their own. Hell, if Tessa wanted a pet pig, I’d move heaven and earth to get her one. I can only imagine that was Jeremy’s exact reasoning when it came to Autumn. There’s not much a man won’t do for the woman he loves.
Including giving up his career. I hope that it doesn’t come to that. I don’t think that Bridgett has that kind of pull. Case is right, talking to Coach is the right step. I’m going to hold off on mentioning it to Tessa until I talk to him. I don’t want to worry her, and frankly, I want to have more information on what she can and can’t do. I don’t want to give her a chance to push me away.
“Okay. Give JJ a hug from Aunt Tessa. See you in the morning.” She lays her phone on the table and reaches for her glass of wine. “Thank you for this.” She holds it up before taking a drink. “Sorry about that. She wanted an update on Buckwheat.”
“I get it. I hope he’s okay.”
There is sadness in her eyes. “Me, too. If this doesn’t work, if he doesn’t respond to treatments, we’ll have to have him put down.” Her voice cracks.
“Think positive.”
She nods. “This is amazing, by the way.”
“Good. Eat up. We have plans after dinner.”
“Landon, I really just want to chill.” Her shoulders slump as if she’s disappointed she has something else added to her plans tonight.
“Good. That’s exactly what we’re doing. So, eat up.”
A slow smile tilts her lips. “I love you.” Her words are soft, but the meaning is no less powerful.
Leaning over the table, I kiss her. “I love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tessa
“Go relax on the couch while I clean up.”
“I can help.” I stand from the table to gather my plate, but his hand over mine stops me.
“I’ve got this, baby. Now, go sit.”
I do as he says because I’m mentally exhausted, and I know Landon. He’s not going to let me help. Wasting time arguing about it is not going to do either of us any good. A few minutes later, he’s holding out his hand for me.
“The leftovers are in the fridge. You’re staying here while I’m gone, right?”
“Yeah, unless you don’t want me to?”
“I want you here.” His voice is firm, his decision final. Not that I expected anything different. “You can have the leftovers while I’m gone. I made a small bowl for you to take in your lunch tomorrow.”
“Landon Barker, if your fans could see you now. Being all domesticated, making my lunch.”
“Yeah? You think that would help my image?”
“I don’t think you need any help in that department, Number Eighteen.”
“Hey, you did dub me Lucky Player after all,” he taunts.
“Well, aren’t you? You are here with me right now,” I tease.
“Damn right, I am,” he agrees. He pushes open his bedroom door and doesn’t stop until we’re in the bathroom. “Strip, baby.” His voice is soft yet husky. He reaches down into the huge clawfoot tub and turns on the water.
“You’re running me a bath?” I ask, my heart melting into a puddle at my feet.
“I’m running us a bath,” he corrects, pulling his T-shirt over his head and letting it fall to the floor.
Before I know it, we’re both stripped naked, and Landon steps into the tub, holding his hand out for me. I step in after him. He settles himself, resting against the back of the tub. “Sit,” he says, opening his legs for me to join him. I waste no time sitting down and leaning against his chest. The hot water lulls over us, and his arms wrap around me.
“How did you know this is what I needed?”
“A bath?”
“No. You.”
“Because I need this time with you, too. I hate leaving you when we have away games.”
“I know, but the season is halfway over. We’ve almost made it.”
“Yeah, can you get time off work? Maybe we can take a trip once the season is over? Somewhere tropical, where I get to see you in tiny scraps of material all day long.”
“I don’t really do that out in public.”
“Hell no, I’m talking private beach. No way am I letting another man ogle you. Hell, to be honest, we don’t even need swimwear. Let’s just lie naked in bed all day.”