“Buckwheat?” I ask. “I see the vet’s truck outside.”
“Yeah, he’s with him now,” she says, taking a huge gulp of coffee.
“Rough night?”
“Something like that.” She smirks. “I hate when they’re out of town, and CJ was already asking for Daddy first thing this morning. Maybe we would be okay with just the sales off his ass trinkets?” she muses.
I just smile and shake my head. “I hear ya. Although I don’t have a little boy missing his daddy.”
“Not yet.”
I smile. “Maybe one day. Things are going great with us.”
“That’s easy to see. That man is crazy about you, Emma.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“You watching the game on Sunday?” she asks.
“Yep. You?”
“We are. Why don’t you come to the house and watch it with me and CJ? He’d love to see you.”
“Sure. What are we eating? Snack foods? Want me to pick up some pizza and wings?”
“Pizza and wings. That way neither of us has to cook. Well, I’ll make some cookies or something. Here.” She reaches for her purse. “Let me give you some money before I forget.”
“Nope. It’s on me. Cheese still for CJ?”
“You know it. One day the kid will eat more than just cheese on his pizza.”
“Got it covered.”
“Hello,” a deep voice calls out. Aubrey and I both head to the reception area to greet the vet. “He’s responding to the medication, but he’s not out of the woods yet. I gave him another dose and I’ll stop by tomorrow to give him another. Will either of you be here?”
“I will be,” I tell him.
“Great. I’ll stop in before I leave tomorrow to give you an update.”
“Thanks, George,” Aubrey and I say at the same time.
“Oh, and thanks for the heads-up about next week. Pixy could use a checkup.” Aubrey gives him a wide grin.
He just shakes his head and smiles. “You got it, boss. You ladies have a great evening.”
George is in his early sixties and he’s still in disbelief that Aubrey and Chance have a pet goat. It’s not the goat that surprises him. It’s that they let the goat live in their house and even take it for walks on a leash.
“He still thinks you’re crazy.”
“I know. I love it. Sure, Pixy is not a conventional pet, but the way we met and fell in love isn’t either.”
“Your life is what you make it. Besides, CJ loves Pixy. Now, where are we at for the day?”
“Just cleaning cages and feeding. Thanks to the adoption fair, we’re still not at capacity so it shouldn’t take us long.” So many of our animals found their forever homes. “I thought we could tag-team it instead of splitting up today.”
“Yes! It’s been way too long since we’ve done that.” Just as I say the words, the chime sounds on the door. Looking up, my mouth drops open. “Mom? What are you doing here?” I rush around the counter to give her a hug.
“We wanted to surprise you.”
I turn to look at Aubrey. “You little sneak.”
She holds her hands up in the air. “I’d love to take credit for this, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t know anything about it.”
“Landon,” Mom says.
“Really?” I ask, and my voice cracks.
“He called me the other day and said and I quote ‘we need to get you to Hermosa Beach more often.’ I agreed and here I am.”
“I can’t believe he did this.” I hug her again.
“He said we’re staying at his place?” she asks, raising her brow and giving me a look that only a mother can pull off.
My face heats. “Yeah, he likes to know I’m there while he’s away.”
“That man is whipped,” Aubrey chimes in with a laugh.
“Oh, I could tell with how adamant he was that I come and visit,” Mom agrees. “So,” she changes the subject, “what are the plans this weekend?”
“Well, I work all weekend here, and I was going to go over to Aubrey’s and watch the game on Sunday.”
“Tomorrow, you’re only here until noon,” Aubrey corrects.
“Perfect. I’d love to tag along and see what it is my little girl does every day. Most of the time when I visit, you’ve taken time off. Is that okay?” She turns to look at Aubrey. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not.”
“Well, ladies. We’ve got work to do. I’ll put your bags in the office.” The rest of the day, Mom helps out, and with the third set of hands, the work is done even faster. By the time lunch rolls around, we’re finished.
“You two go on home. Spend some time together.”
“We’re fine to stay,” Mom tells her.
“No. I insist. You’ll be back here tomorrow. I would volunteer, but I’ll have CJ, and it’s hard to get anything done when I’m here by myself with him.”
“No worries, it’s fine,” I assure her.
“Go, catch up.”
“Call if you need me. I can come back.”
“It will be fine. Now go.” With a round of hugs, Mom and I grab her luggage and head out the door. I haven’t heard from Landon, and I thought I would have by now. I send him a text thanking him for bringing Mom here. It will be there for him when he lands. As Mom and I drive to his place, my heart is full. Overflowing with love for my number eighteen.
Chapter 24
Landon
The entire flight I had my headphones on and pretended to sleep. I’m exhausted, yet sleep never came. I keep thinking about Bridgett and her threats, and I get even more pissed off. Case is right that I should talk to Coach Neil, and I’ve already texted him telling him that as soon as he has a free minute, I need to speak to him. I just hope it’s as soon as we land. This shit is festering inside me and I’m about to blow. No way can I focus on the game when all I have is anger inside of me for what she thinks she can do. That’s the worst part. I don’t really know if she has that kind of pull.
