Chapter 22 #2
“You did.” A soft chuckle sprang from my throat. “I think our roommates should just get used to it.” Hugging him to my chest, I kissed his hair. “I love you, Casey.” When I moved in, I’d make a point of telling him every day. He deserved it.
“Love you too, babe.” He sighed. “You are staying the night, right?”
“Yep. I brought my bag.” Shit, it was still in the main room. “It’s quiet, so I think the guys are gone.”
“Yeah, I think they are.” He snuggled deeper into me. “I don’t want to move, but we have to.”
“We can stay here for a few more minutes. There’s no rush.” I nuzzled his hair, the scent of musk and his shampoo enveloping me. I’d get to smell him every day. My heart calmed, and my breathing slowed. I had him until May, and then we’d see…But whatever came, we’d be together somehow.
On Thanksgiving Day, Casey came over, and Mom made us a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Her job at the dental office was going well, and Casey’s regular season was almost over.
With Casey’s help, Wes had set himself up online to be more visible to college scouts.
The only thing we missed was my decision about handling Casey’s NFL contract.
After tidying the kitchen, we retired to the couch for football with beers in hand, Casey and Mom sitting on either side of me, while Wes sprawled on the chair.
The Packers were playing the Vikings, and Casey leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
“This rivalry is almost as strong as when ASU plays U of A.” He bit his thumbnail.
Wes glanced at Casey. “Do you want to play on either of these teams?”
Lifting his brows, Casey said, “Sure, why not?”
Mom tsked. “The Midwest is so far from here.” She sipped a glass of wine.
“Yeah, but there is such a thing as air travel, and I’ll have plenty of money to visit.
” He leaned back and curled his arm around my shoulders.
“Plus, I can have a place here and a place wherever. I only have to be close to the team during the season.” He glanced at me. “I’ve looked into this a little.”
My heart stuttered. What was he saying? We hadn’t discussed this angle yet. “Yeah?” I’d hear him out.
“A lot of players have a home base and maybe a rental condo or something near their team’s facilities.” He placed his hand on my thigh. “I could be traded anytime, so it makes sense.”
“Are you saying once you get a contract, you’d want to buy a home here and rent in your team’s city?” Mom arched a brow. “But your parents are in California. Don’t you miss them?”
“Of course, I do.” He chuckled. “But they’ve barely seen me for four years now and I think they’re living their best life without me underfoot all the time. They don’t need me around.” His grin fell. “When I visit them, I still have a room. It’s not like I need to get a hotel.”
Mom pursed her lips, grabbed the remote and paused the game. “Casey, we need to talk.”
My brows snapped up. What the hell was she about to say? I peered at her and drank my beer. I might have to stop her at some point.
“Okay, shoot.” He freed a sharp laugh, throwing a glance toward the repaired bullet hole in the ceiling. “Sorry, I meant, go ahead.”
She grabbed my hand and held it between us. “I don’t want you both thinking you have to stick around here for our sake. You’ve done so much for me and Wes. It’s time you focused on each other and lived your own lives.”
“Mom.” I gaped at her. I couldn’t just leave them.
“No, Ryker. You’re twenty-six now and you’ve found a wonderful man to spend your life with.
” She squeezed my hand, her eyes growing glassy.
“You don’t know how special this is. You’ve found what I never could.
You shouldn’t have to live apart. I can take care of Wes.
It’s my job as a mother, and you’re not his father. ”
“Mom, I can take care of myself. I’ll be seventeen soon.” He scoffed. “I agree, Ryker. You guys need to be living together, not having a long-distance relationship.”
Casey’s face lit. “Dylan can run the shop now, right?”
“Yeah, but…” I stared at each of them. Was it possible? I’d prepared for this outcome, but never thought they’d be fully on board with it. “Are you sure?”
“Babe.” Casey shifted, facing me. “We could have a place here and a place wherever we want. We could travel back and forth.” He glanced toward the television. “Hell, if I end up in Minnesota, maybe we can get a lake house to stay at in the summer, since the heat is so brutal here.”
“Can I stay the summer at the lake house?” Wes straightened in the chair.
“Wes, don’t insert yourself like that.” Mom threw him a quick glare.
With a chuckle, Casey said, “Of course, you can. Both of you, in fact. Except Linda, you have your job to think about.” With a shake of his head, he said, “The possibilities are endless.” He squeezed my thigh.
“And if you want to open another shop in the new city, I’ll help fund it.
” With a slow nod, he said, “You could make a franchise out of it.”
Holy shit, I’d been so narrow-minded in my thinking, I’d considered none of this. “Casey…” I grabbed his face and forced his gaze to mine. “Wherever you go, I’ll go with you.” My heart took flight. I could have him, my family and my business. “You’re the love of my life, and I need to be with you.”
“Babe, you don’t know how happy you’ve just made me.” With his eyes glistening, he planted a hard kiss on my lips.
“Oh, boys...what more could a mother want?” Mom leaned over and hugged us while Wes stood and made it a group hug, draping his arms around us all and saying, “I’ll have a big brother in the NFL.”