Page 76 of Lucky Baller
Me: Damn right.
Reid: Happy for you, man. Give a guy a heads-up next time, so I don’t find out on Sports Central.
Me: It’s been crazy. You’re right. One day soon, we’re going to have to get together so you can meet my girlfriend, Tessa.
Reid: You’d better lock her down before I get there. You know the ladies love me.
I know that he’s teasing, but it still grates on my nerves.
Me: Not this one. She’s mine. Keep your ass in Nashville.
Reid: Damn, another one bites the dust.
Me: You’ll understand one day.
Reid: That’s what they tell me. Beckett and Reynolds are both in the same boat.
Me: Good for them.
Reid: Yeah, yeah.
His message is followed by a string of laughing emojis.
Me: I’m hitting the hay. Good luck tomorrow against Georgia.
Reid: Give Dallas some hell, will ya?
Me: You know we will. Talk soon.
I smile as I plug my phone in to charge and close my eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tessa
It’s week three of the regular football season, and Autumn and I are traveling to our first away game. The bonus is that it’s in Georgia, and my mom is coming with us. Landon insisted that he get her a ticket, as well. We’re actually in a private Cougars box. It’s the first time we’ve sat in one, but Landon was adamant that he didn’t need some crazy fan spouting anything off while my mom was with me. He’s worried about making a good impression. For the record, he has nothing to worry about. He makes me happy; that’s all Mom cares about. Besides, if he flashes her those dimples and blinks those baby blues, there’s no way she can’t like him. I’m so excited to see her and for her to meet Landon.
“There she is.” I point out my mom to Autumn and take off running toward her. She’s ready for my hug when I reach her. “I missed you so much.”
“It’s good to have you home.” She steps back and rakes her eyes over me. It’s been six months since I’ve seen her. Far toolong, but life tends to get in the way. Plus, it’s a long-ass drive, and flights are not cheap enough to visit more often.
“Autumn,” Mom says fondly. “How are you?” She releases me and pulls Autumn into a hug just as fierce as the one she gave me.
“Good. I love your hair.”
“Me, too,” I tell her. “I love the highlights.”
“I thought it was time for something different. You don’t think it’s too much?”
“No,” Autumn and I say at the same time.
“Come on. Let’s get you ladies home.”
“Thank you for letting me stay with you,” Autumn says.
“How did you convince Jeremy?”
“He convinced me to have another baby.”
