Page 15 of Lucky Baller
“Autumn can pick me up.”
I want to argue, but even I know when to stop. Besides, what’s she going to do when I show up at her place in the morning? “What else needs to be done?”
“Just the night check. I need to make sure all the animals have water and that the cages are secure. Everything else that I had on my list today can wait. The animals are what’s important.”
“You sure?” I ask as I shut off the water and head back toward the building.
“Yes. If you don’t mind?”
“I told you I didn’t. I’m on my way back inside now.” As bad as I hate to end the call, I lock the screen instead of snooping to get to know her better. Working for her attention has merit, and that smile she gave me earlier… I’m definitely going to work for more of those. I’m not sure what that means, or if I want it to mean anything. For the time being, I’m just going to go with what feels right, and we can figure out the rest as we go.
Chapter Five
Tessa
Landon ends the call, and I look down at his phone in my hands. He said I could delete the number. My fingers hover over my number, but I can’t do it. I’m curious if he’ll check, and if he does, if he’ll use it. I’m not sure that he will. Not after him telling me to remove it, that he wanted me to be the one to give him my number. In a way, not deleting the call is me giving him my number, right?
“You need anything?” Landon asks from the doorway.
I place his phone on my desk and shake my head. “Thank you for your help, Landon.”
“You’re welcome.” He flashes me his dimples. Surely, he knows the power of those things.
“So, point me where to go next.”
“Down the hall, there are two rooms. We just have cats and dogs and Buckwheat right now. There’s a utility sink, and next to it is a hose that’s hooked up to the water. Just make sure each bowl is full. You shouldn’t have to open the cages.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“No.”
“I’ll be quick.” He winks and disappears down the hall.
Tilting my head back against the seat, I close my eyes. I can’t believe this is happening. That I fell, and he was the one there to pick up the pieces for me. Why did it have to be him? I know I’m crazy. Any woman would be thrilled to have Landon Barker at their beck and call, but he’s… too much. Too sexy, too confident, too… everything.
“Hey.” His deep voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Opening my eyes, I see him kneeling next to the chair, a concerned expression on his face. “You okay?”
“Oh, you mean other than the sprained ankle—by the way, thanks for the diagnosis, Doc—and the fact that you have to do my job and take care of me? Sure, I’m just peachy.”
“Come on, Miss Independent. Let’s get you home.” He stands to his full height and begins to remove the ice pack from my ankle.
“Thank you so much for all your help, but I can call Autumn. If we could just switch phones,” I say, grabbing his from the desk and handing it to him. I should have already called her, but I haven’t. I don’t want to analyze why that is. I’m just going to blame it on the pain, and maybe it has a little to do with the sexiness of the quarterback who’s been tending to my needs. I mean, my ankle.
My phone rings, and he grins as he pulls it out of his pocket and looks at the screen. He turns it to show me, and it’s Autumn. “See, perfect timing.” I hold my hand out for the phone, but instead of handing it to me, he flashes those damn dimples and swipes at the screen.
“Hello.” He pauses. “This is Landon.” He goes on to explain why he has my phone and what happened. “I’m going to grab her some dinner and take her home.” Another pause. “I can pick her up in the morning.”
“Let me talk to her,” I say loudly, holding my hand out for the phone.
“No, she’s not okay with it.” He laughs. “But I’m doing it anyway.”
“Landon,” I say, my voice stern.
“She wants to talk to you.” He winks as he hands me my phone and takes his, sliding it into his back pocket.
“Hey, Autumn.”
