Page 91 of Lucky Baller
He nods. I watch as he pulls out his phone and tries to call her. “Voice mail,” he mumbles before sending her a text.
“I have to warn Tessa.”
“Wait.” There’s panic in his voice. “I don’t want them finding out like this. I don’t know if I’m her father, but I want to be, and this isn’t how I want that to go down.”
“Fine. But I’m still warning her.” Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I call Tessa.
“Hey, Lucky, I was just thinking about you.”
“Yeah?” I ask, my heart slowing just from the sound of her voice.
“Yes. I bought some pillows for your living room today to liven this place up a little.” She laughs. “I hope you don’t mind. If you don’t like them, I can take them to my place.”
“No, baby. I don’t mind. Do whatever you want. As long as you’re there, that’s all that I care about.”
“Aw.” I hear Caroline in the background.
“I should have told you that I have you on speaker.”
“I don’t care who knows how much I love you, Tessa. Your mom included. I’m glad the two of you are enjoying your time together. Listen, there’s something going on. I don’t want you to worry, but a crazy fan is starting rumors of a trade and who knows what else. It’s not true.”
“O-kay,” she says slowly.
“I’ll explain everything when I get home. I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case the media gets a hold of this. Also, would it be possible for you and your mom to just stay at my place forthe rest of the weekend? I don’t know where this chick is, and I’d feel better knowing that you’re safe.”
“Yeah, I mean, we were supposed to go to Autumn’s to watch the game with her and JJ.”
“Have them come to my place. In fact, you can all just stay there. The building has excellent security.”
“Landon, are we in danger?” I can hear the worry in her voice.
“No, you’re not in danger, but I would feel better knowing you’re at my place, safe away from the crazy fans.”
“Okay. You sure there’s nothing for us to worry about?”
“I’m positive. You think I’d let you be there on your own if there was? I just wanted to give you a warning. Oh, and ask your mom if she can stay a few extra days. I have some things I would like to talk to both of you about.” I catch Joseph’s eye as I say this, and he looks like he’s holding his breath, afraid to breathe.
“I can do that,” Caroline chimes in. “I’ll call the office and let them know I’m taking a few days of vacation.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you girls late tomorrow night.”
“Love you, Landon.”
“Love you, too, baby.”
I end the call.
“She’s there? Caroline is in Los Angeles?” Joseph sounds half excited and half panicked.
“Yeah, I flew her in to spend the weekend with Tess. I hate leaving her for away games.”
“The team flies out Monday morning,” Coach Neil speaks up.
“Don’t care. I’m flying home to my girl. Fine me, bench me, I don’t care.”
“You have a family emergency,” Coach Neil says with authority.
“However you want to spin it, you can. I’m on the first flight back to Los Angeles as soon as the game’s over.”
