“Well, I’m saying it again.”
“Thank you,” she says over a yawn.
“I’ll let you go. I know you have to work tomorrow.”
“What about you? What’s your day look like?”
“We’ll do a short practice, some walk-through drills, and some game tape.”
“Exciting.” She yawns again.
“It beats a nine to five.”
“Don’t downplay it. You love it and you know it.”
“I do. Get some sleep.”
“Night, Lucky.”
I chuckle at her use of the nickname she and Aubrey cooked up. “Night, freckles.”
Chapter 21
Emma
It’s week three of the regular football season and Aubrey and I are traveling to our first away game. The bonus is it’s in Georgia, and my mom is coming with us. Landon insisted he get her a ticket as well. We’re actually in a private Trojans box. It’s the first time we’ve sat in one, but Landon was adamant that he didn’t need some crazy fan spouting anything off while my mom was with me. He’s worried about making a good impression. For the record, he has nothing to worry about. He makes me happy; that’s all Mom cares about. Besides, if he flashes her those dimples and blinks those baby blues, no way can she not like him. I’m so excited to see her and for her to meet Landon.
“There she is.” I point out my mom to Aubrey and take off running toward her. She’s ready for my hug when I reach her. “I missed you so much.”
“It’s good to have you home.” She steps back and rakes her eyes over me. It’s been six months since I’ve seen her. Far too long, but life tends to get in the way and it’s a long-ass drive, and flights are not cheap enough to visit more often.
“Aubrey,” Mom says fondly. “How are you?” She releases me and pulls Aubrey into a hug just as fierce as the one she gave me.
“Good. I love your hair.”
“Me too,” I tell her. “I love the highlights.”
“I thought it was time for something different. You don’t think it’s too much?”
“No,” Aubrey and I say at the same time.
“Come on. Let’s get you ladies home.”
“Thank you for letting me stay with you,” Aubrey says.
“How did you convince Chance?”
“Cocky Bastard convinced me to have another baby.”
“What?” I stop and look at her. “You didn’t tell me that?”
She shrugs. “We’ve been tossing around the idea, and that was his concession. I can stay with you and Caroline instead of at the team hotel, but we start trying.”
“That’s amazing.”
“It is.” She wags her eyebrows and we all laugh.
“What about Landon?” Mom asks once we’re in the car and headed toward her place. “When do I get to meet him?”
“This afternoon they’re having a team dinner that immediate family gets to attend at the hotel. We have to be there at three. It’s early to bed for the boys tonight, for game day tomorrow.”
“Boys,” Mom scoffs. “Have you seen them? I can only imagine they’re even larger in person.”
“They are some big boys,” Aubrey agrees.
We spend the rest of the ride catching up. Aubrey tells Mom stories of CJ and Pixy, and I fill her in on how things are going with Landon. I leave out the more intimate details. Mom and I are close, but not that close.
“Home sweet home,” Mom says, pulling into the driveway of her small ranch home. “You girls get settled in. Grab a nap. Whatever you need. We have about three hours before we need to head to the hotel. It’s about thirty minutes from here.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m going to freshen up, then I’ll be back down. I never get to see you. I’m not going to nap away the time we do have.”
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “I’d like that.”
Lugging my bag down the hall, I point Aubrey in the direction of her room, and then disappear into mine. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I text Landon.
Me: Hey, just made it to Mom’s. We still on for this afternoon?
Landon: Yes!
Me: Good. See you soon.
Landon: I miss you.
His message is followed by an image of him pouting. He’s pretending to be sad, but the happiness in his blue eyes gives him away.
Me: Miss you too.
Tossing my phone on the bed, I grab some clothes to change into and head to the bathroom to freshen up before making my way downstairs to spend some time with Mom. Walking past Aubrey’s door, I hear her on the phone with CJ. He’s staying with Chance’s sister, Adele, this weekend and he’s rambling on about all the fun stuff they’ve been doing. Aubrey and Chance are great parents and I can’t wait to watch their family grow.
* * *
My palms are sweating as we walk into the hotel. I don’t know why I’m suddenly so nervous for Landon and my mom to meet. Maybe it’s because it was high school the last time I’ve introduced her to anyone. Maybe it’s because I’m afraid he’ll see the house I grew up in and it hits him that I’m just some common girl, and that our lives are too different. Maybe it’s because I love him with my entire being and I’m afraid that letting him into my past, developing a connection with my mom, that the pain is going to be even more striking if this ends.
“Em!” I hear him call out for me. My eyes scan the crowd until I see him. Suddenly all my worries fade away. His cerulean blue eyes are shining and his dimples are on full display when he reaches us. He doesn’t care who’s around. He pulls me into his arms and buries his face in my neck. “Missed you,” he murmurs.
Lifting his head, but keeping me in his arms, I embrace him and cuddle into his chest. “Landon Barker. So nice to meet you, Caroline.” He takes the initiative and introduces himself to my mother.
“Nice to meet you as well. I’d ask if you’re taking good care of her, but I think I have my answer.” Mom’s
