Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Chapter Sixteen
Landon
“Hey, Henry.” I wave to him at his spot behind the counter. With Tessa’s fingers laced with mine, I lead her to a table in the back corner. It’s hard to tell when any of my teammates will show up, and I want her all to myself. They’ve yet to meet her officially as mine, and part of me wants to shout it so the entire world can hear, but the other part of me wants to keep her for myself. There has only been one incident where the press got a photo of us, but you can’t see her face. I want the world to know, but at the same time, I don’t want that intrusion into our lives. They print complete shit, and I have no doubt there will be something printed that will threaten what we have. It’s not a risk I want to take.
Not with her.
So, for now, I’m going to keep her all to myself. Well, until this weekend, that is. My Tweet is getting national attention. They’re going to want to know my connection to the shelter, and I’ll tell them. That gives us time before the world thinks they have a right to invade our privacy and meddle in our lives. I hate it, but I love football. It’s the price I pay to play a sport I love for a living.
“Tessa, nice to see you again,” Henry greets her. “This guy treating you right?”
She smiles and nods. What she doesn’t know is that he’d ream my ass if there was any other answer than yes. “Perfect gentleman,” she replies with a kind smile.
“Now I know you’re pulling my leg. This guy?” He points at me.
“Right?” she agrees with him. “I was surprised myself.”
I should give them a hard time, but the smile on her face makes any amount of ribbing worth it.
“All right, here’s a menu. What can I get you to drink?”
“Water for me, please,” Tessa says.
“Same for me, Henry, thanks.”
“I want to try something different. Any suggestions?” Tessa asks, her eyes scanning the menu.
“It’s all good. I’ve never had anything that came from Henry’s kitchen that wasn’t.”
“Really? Okay.” She scans the menu again. “I think I’m going to go with chicken tenders and onion rings.”
“Excellent choice,” Henry says, placing our drinks and straws in front of us. “What about you, Landon?”
“I’ll have the same. Barbecue sauce, please.” I hand him my menu.
“Tessa? Barbecue?”
“Yes, please.” She opens her straw and places it in her drink, taking a long pull. “How was your day?”
It’s a question I’ve come to expect from her; she actually cares about how my day went, not the money or the fame, but how it affected me. “Good. I didn’t do a lot. I went to the gym and worked out, then did a little cleaning.”
“Cleaning? I thought you had someone who cleaned for you?”
“I do, but this kind of cleaning is all on me. I just went through some of my clothes, moved some things around.” What I don’t tell her is that I cleared out a couple of drawers for her and made some space in my closet and in the bathroom for her things. I want her to feel comfortable at my place, and this is just another way of me showing her. I want her. I want her in my house, in my bed, in my life, and by my side.
“Look at you being all domestic,” she teases.
I just shake my head and smile. “What about you? The phones were crazy?”
“Almost as soon as your Tweet went out, the lines were lit up, and it was like that all day. Turns out, the quarterback for the Cougars has a pretty big fan base.”
“There’s only one fan I’m interested in.”
“JJ’s loyalty lies with his daddy’s team, so you’re safe.”
Reaching across the table, I take her hand in mine. “Just you, Tess. You’re the only one who matters.”
“Barker!” I hear yelled across the quiet room.
Turning, I see Trent and his wife, Luna, making their way toward us. “Trent, Luna, this is my girlfriend, Tessa,” I introduce as soon as they reach the table. Trent raises his eyebrows in surprise but otherwise keeps his cool. “Tess, this is Trent Caudill, our right tackle, and his wife, Luna.”
“Nice to meet you.” Luna offers Tessa her hand, and they shake.
“And this little one?” Tessa points to Luna’s pregnant belly.
“Baby Caudill. We’re not finding out until delivery.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m not sure I could do that.” Tessa smiles kindly.
“It’s been tough, trust me. I’ve almost caved a few times, but this one”—she points over her shoulder at Trent—“keeps me on course.”
“It’s exciting to find out the day he or she’s born. There are too many things in life that are instant gratification. There’s something to be said for the waiting… and the suspense.” Trent pulls Luna in close, and I happen to agree with him.