Page 65 of Lucky Baller
Landon
We finish with game film early, so I rush through my shower and head to the shelter. Case and some of the guys are stopping to eat before joining us. I called ahead and had pizza delivered to the shelter. I know there will be popcorn and things like that served, but a man’s gotta eat and see his woman, so delivery was the best option. Anything that gets me to Tessa faster is always the way to go.
It’s just a little past eleven when I get here, and already, the news stations are set up. I don’t see much in the way of guests, maybe a few lingering around. Most of the people I see are wearing Safe Haven Animal Shelter shirts, so I know they’re volunteers.
Pulling my SUV around back, like Tessa told me to this morning, I lock it up and head inside using the back door. From the sounds of their voices, Tessa and Autumn are in their office.
“So, how are things?” Autumn asks.
“Good.”
“Good. All I get is good? Come on now, I want the dirt.”
“We’ve got work to do. Not to mention, there are people lingering everywhere. That’s the last thing Landon and I need is our sex life plastered all over the papers.”
“Oooh, so there is a sex life. Tell me more,” Autumn quips, and I hear them both chuckle.
“Yes, and it’s amazing and he’s… I don’t know. He’s everything I never knew I wanted. I’m just trying to go with the flow and not worry about the what-ifs.”
“Pfft, there are no what-ifs. I’m telling you, that man’s in love with you.”
She’s not wrong. I should feel guilty for eavesdropping, but I remain where I am just outside their office door.
“He is not.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Autumn tells her. “Tell me this. If he were to tell you that he loves you, what would you say?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure. I would be in shock. But if that day ever comes, I’d tell him I love him, too.”
“I knew it!” Autumn cheers, and if she says anything else, I miss it.
My feet carry me into their office and take me straight to Tessa. She’s standing with her hands on a box of flyers, but she drops them and turns to face me. I take her face in the palm of my hands and hold her stare. Her green eyes are filled with worry when they should only ever be filled with love.
“Let’s try it,” I say, keeping my voice low. It doesn’t matter. I know that Autumn is hanging on every word.
“Try what?” she asks softly.
“Oh, Tess.” I smile down at her. “I’m in love with you.” Her green eyes widen and grow wet with tears. She opens her mouth, then closes it.
“This is the shock,” Autumn says, helpful as ever.
“I love you,” I say again, and this time, a lone tear trickles down her cheek.
“I-I love you, too. But it’s soon. We’re crazy, right?”
“No,” Autumn and I say at the same time.
“When you know, you know,” Autumn adds. “Trust me on this. Cocky and I fell in love on a road trip with Pinky, and we were complete strangers. It happens when you least expect it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Live it. You never know when that chance might be taken away from you. In my case, it was my Jeremy, but I got him back, and you can bet your ass I’m holding on tight.”
“What do you say, Tess? You want to hold on tight?” I ask her.
“Only with you.”
“There’s my girl.” I lean in and kiss her, swiping at her bottom lip with my tongue, begging her to open for me.
“As much as I love this, we have work to do. Come on, love birds,” Autumn says as she leaves the room. She’s acting as though we have to go, but I know she’s giving us privacy, hence the reason she shuts the door behind her.
“Did that just really happen?” Tessa asks.
