Page 78 of Lucky Baller
“Bugger had to steal my thunder,” Jeremy says, but it’s his exaggeratedthundathat has us all laughing again. I swear he forces his Australian accent to be thicker, more pronounced just for Mom.
“Sounds like this is the table to be at,” a man, probably in his early fifties, says, stopping to stand next to our table. There’s a woman on his arm, and although she’s beautiful, her resting bitch face takes away from her natural beauty.
“Mr. Stamper, this is my wife, Autumn,” Jeremy introduces.
“And this is my girlfriend, Tessa, and her mother, Caroline. Ladies, this is the team owner, Joseph Stamper.”
Joseph’s smile seems to falter as he looks at me and then my mom. I hope he’s not angry that we’re here. His eyes float to Autumn. “Nice to meet you, Autumn. Welcome to the Cougars family,” he says politely before his gaze turns back to me. “Tessa.” His voice is softer, almost reverent. “You seem to be getting our team some positive PR.” He gives me a kind smile.
“Oh, no, that’s all Landon,” I say with a nervous laugh. “There’s no controlling him.”
“Not when it comes to you,” Landon says, not caring who hears him.
“Caroline, was it?” Mr. Stamper says, glancing at my mom. His eyes are locked on her. “It’s good to see you… here supporting Landon. You all enjoy your dinner,” he says, walking away.
“His wife is an odd one,” Autumn says, and I nod my agreement.
“Goodness, I’m worn out. I didn’t sleep well last night, too excited for your visit. I think I’m going to call a cab.” Mom reaches into her purse to hand me her keys. “You two keep the car and come home when you’re ready.”
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.”
