Page 79 of Lucky Baller
“Come on. Let’s go back inside and mingle. I want you to meet more of the team.”
Hand in hand, we make our way back into the hotel and spend the next two hours laughing and talking with his teammates. Luna and I talk for a long time, and she reminds me about her baby shower. It’s in a few weeks when the guys have a bye week. I can’t imagine having to work your life around a professional football team, but then again, that’s exactly what I’m doing. In my mind, Landon and I have two very different lives, but the reality is that we’ve made it work. Because we want it to work. It’s an enlightening revelation, and it makes our earlier talk hit home even more so. I want that with him. The future, house, kids. All of it. I’ve been afraid to voice it, but the want is deep-rooted in my soul.
“I guess we should get going.” I look across the room to where Autumn and Jeremy are talking to Thomas.
“I was planning on sneaking you up to my room.”
“You sound like a teenager.” I chuckle.
“Not that they’d actually check,” he says with a smile.
“No, you need your rest, and we’re not doing that to Trent.”
“Fine,” he grumbles good-naturedly. “Thanks for being here, baby. Thanks for letting me meet your mom.”
“No place I’d rather be.”
“I can think of one place,” he whispers huskily as his lips press to mine.
“Barker, keep it PG,” the deep voice from earlier says from behind us.
I can feel my face heat with embarrassment. “No promises,” Landon replies, cocky as ever.
“Landon,” I scold him under my breath.
“Tessa, it was nice to meet you.”
“You, too, Mr. Stamper.”
“Please.” He swallows hard. “Call me Joseph.”
I nod. “Landon, walk me out?”
“If I have to.” He sighs dramatically, and I can’t hide my smile.
“Come on, Number Eighteen, you need your beauty sleep.”
“Hey!” He pretends to be offended. We both know he doesn’t need beauty sleep. He was gifted with damn good genes, and he’s nowhere near offended.
“I was just coming to find you,” Autumn says as we approach. “I’m going to stay here tonight.” She snuggles into Jeremy’s chest.
“Shoulda been a fucking coach,” Landon grumbles, and we all laugh.
“Come on, you big baby. Walk me to the car. Autumn, if you need a ride tomorrow, just call me.”
“The team car will bring her home,” Jeremy replies confidently.
After a round of hugs and goodbyes, we head outside to Mom’s car. “You going to be okay driving back on your own?”
“I grew up here,” I remind him. “I’ll be fine.”
“Lock your doors, and text me. No… call me as soon as you make it back to your mom’s.”
“Landon, I’ll be fine.”
“Humor me, Freckles.”
“Yes, I will call you when I get to Mom’s.”
