Page 24 of Lucky Baller
“You okay, Number Eighteen?”
“Minx.” Her laughter fills the car, and I don’t hate it.
“How long is practice today?” she asks.
“Five hours. Three on the field and two watching tapes, going over plays, special teams, that kind of thing.”
“Have you always loved football?”
“Yeah. I guess from the time I was little, I would sit on my dad’s lap and we’d watch it for hours. The only time I ever sat still, to hear my parents tell it.” I glance over at her, and she has a soft smile playing on her lips. “Anyway, the school district we lived in didn’t offer football, so my parents went with open enrollment when it was time for me to start kindergarten in the town next to ours. I started full-contact football at the age of five and never looked back.”
“That’s kind of amazing, to think how your love for the game started that early, and look at you now.”
“My parents are the best. I owe them my success. All the times they took me to practice, five nights a week, and games on the weekends until I turned sixteen and got my license. They always made sure I had the best gear, going as far as buying my helmet each year to make sure that it was safe.”
“They sound pretty great.”
“They are.” I nod. “What about you? Why the animal shelter?”
“I love animals.” I can hear the truth in her words. “I came to Los Angeles for vet school, but I didn’t love it. School, that is, or the thought of being in school for so many more years, so I changed my major to veterinary technician. Two years later, I was done. I applied to the shelter and was hired on the spot. Autumn had just taken over, and we hit it off. We’ve been best friends ever since.”
“It makes a difference when you can do what you love. Makes it feel like less of a job.”
“Exactly. Not once in the time that I’ve worked at Safe Haven have I dreaded coming to work.”
“I get to play a sport for a living.” I chuckle. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
“I don’t know, you saw the puppies, right?” she asks.
“You clearly win. I get to spend my day with smelly, sweaty men, while you get adorable puppies and horses that just like to eat.”
“Hmmm, when you put it that way, you might be getting the better deal, minus the smelly part.”
“Hey now.” I reach over and tap her thigh. “I’ve already called dibs; those other Neanderthals need to find their own Tessa,” I say, pulling into the lot of the shelter. A small smile tilts her lips, but she’s quick to hide it.
“Thanks for the ride, and for your help last night.” She grabs her bags from the floorboard between her feet and opens her door.
“I’ll walk you in.”
“No. You don’t have to do that. Have a great practice.” She slides out of the car and shuts the door with her hip.
I scramble to exit the car, as well; she’s not too far ahead of me with that limp of hers. I rush ahead of her and pull open thedoor. She shakes her head but doesn’t comment as she walks inside, with me following along behind.
“Morning, sunshine. How was last night? Or… and this morning,” Autumn says, appearing from around the corner. “Oh, hi, Landon.” Her grin is blinding. “Looks like I got my answer.”
“Autumn,” I greet. “It’s nice to see you again.” I then turn my attention to Tessa. “You got everything?”
She holds up her lunch bag and her purse. “Thanks for the ride.”
Why do I have the sudden urge to pull her into a hug and press my lips to hers? Instead, I lean in close and whisper, but still keep my voice loud enough that Autumn can hear what I’m saying, “Thanks for the second date.”
“W-What?” she sputters. “No. No dates.”
“Come on, Freckles. We had dinner and watched not one but two movies last night before I took you to bed, and this morning, we had breakfast together. That was our second date.”
“You did not take me to bed,” she manages to say through gritted teeth.
“No? I didn’t help you into your room and make sure you were settled before I headed home?” I ask with a smirk.
