“I love you too.”
“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 talked for a long time, and she reminded 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 Aubrey and Chance 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, Em. 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.
“Emma, 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,” Aubrey says as we approach. “I’m going to stay here tonight.” She snuggles into Chance’s chest.
“Shoulda been a fucking coach,” Landon grumbles and we all laugh.
“Come on, you big baby. Walk me to the car. Aubs, if you need a ride tomorrow, just call me.”
“The team car will bring her home,” Chance 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.”
“Good.” He nods, liking that he got his way. It’s a small concession really, and we talk every night before bed that we don’t spend together, so I would have called him anyway, or him me.
We reach Mom’s car and he wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “I love you, Em. Drive safe.”
“Love you too,” I mumble against his chest. “I’m kinda sad I won’t be in the stands cheering you on at the game. It feels like I’m going to miss all the action.”
“Nah, you’ll have the best seats in the house. We have several booths, so I’m not sure who’s going to be in the booth with you, but they’re all Trojans so the three of you will be in good company.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“I know you will.” One more kiss that curls my toes and he pulls back to open the car door for me. “Drive safe.” He waits until I’m buckled in before closing the door and taking a step back. I force myself to start the car and pull away.
I’ve never wanted to be near someone like I do Landon. It’s as if his soul calls to mine; it’s unlike anything I’ve ever known. As I drive back to Mom’s, I think about what our future might look like, and excitement bubbles in my chest. Landon and I, we’ve got this. Our future is what we make it, and I see great things headed our way.
Chapter 22
Landon
Practice ended two hours ago. The rest of the guys rushed to get out of there, but I stuck around and ran a few more routes with Kaden. The season is halfway through and we’re undefeated. The team is tight. We’re connecting and meshing, and it shows on and off the field.
“You headed home?” Kaden asks as we enter the locker room.
“I have to run up to the office before I go. Apparently, there was some fan mail, a little boy who’s in the hospital. I’m going to sign some things to send to him, then pay him a visit as soon as I get the chance.”
“Careful, your good guy is showing,” he jokes.
“Must be Em,” I reply.
He chuckles. “Lucky Bastard, I still don’t know how you got her. You and Trent both hit the significant-other lottery.”
“What’s up? You getting the urge to settle down?”
“Nah, but if I happen to stumble upon an Emma or a Luna, then I don’t plan on letting them go.”
“Wise decision.”
“All right, I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.” He waves and then it’s just me. I take my time with my shower, and getting dressed. I have nowhere to be. Em is at work, and my house feels empty without her there. Shoving my practice clothes into my bag, making sure I have my keys, wallet, and phone, I make my way up to the offices.
“Hey, Landon,” Sally, the receptionist, says. “I have everything laid out for you in the small conference room. There’s some extra stuff just so we have it on hand. Head on back.”
“Thanks, Sally.” I head back the long hallway and see the framed pictures of past players, and coaches. It never ceases to hit home with me when
