Chapter 6 #2
“You clearly win. I get to spend my day with smelly, sweaty men, while you get adorable puppies and horses that just like to eat.”
“Hmmm, when you put it that way, you might be getting the better deal, minus the smelly part.”
“Hey now.” I reach over and tap her thigh. “I’ve already called dibs; those other Neanderthals need to find their own Tessa,” I say, pulling into the lot of the shelter. A small smile tilts her lips, but she’s quick to hide it.
“Thanks for the ride, and for your help last night.” She grabs her bags from the floorboard between her feet and opens her door.
“I’ll walk you in.”
“No. You don’t have to do that. Have a great practice.” She slides out of the car and shuts the door with her hip.
I scramble to exit the car, as well; she’s not too far ahead of me with that limp of hers. I rush ahead of her and pull open the door. She shakes her head but doesn’t comment as she walks inside, with me following along behind.
“Morning, sunshine. How was last night? Or… and this morning,” Autumn says, appearing from around the corner. “Oh, hi, Landon.” Her grin is blinding. “Looks like I got my answer.”
“Autumn,” I greet. “It’s nice to see you again.” I then turn my attention to Tessa. “You got everything?”
She holds up her lunch bag and her purse. “Thanks for the ride.”
Why do I have the sudden urge to pull her into a hug and press my lips to hers? Instead, I lean in close and whisper, but still keep my voice loud enough that Autumn can hear what I’m saying, “Thanks for the second date.”
“W-What?” she sputters. “No. No dates.”
“Come on, Freckles. We had dinner and watched not one but two movies last night before I took you to bed, and this morning, we had breakfast together. That was our second date.”
“You did not take me to bed,” she manages to say through gritted teeth.
“No? I didn’t help you into your room and make sure you were settled before I headed home?” I ask with a smirk.
“Go.” She pushes on my chest. “You’re going to be late for practice.”
I look over at Autumn. “I’ll be here after practice to do whatever needs to be done today. Keep her off that ankle. She needs to elevate it and ice it.”
“Yes, sir.” Autumn salutes me, tossing out a wink.
Glad to know she’s Team Landon. “I’ll be here after practice.
Take it easy today.” With one step, I’m standing close to her again, invading her space.
For some reason, this moment feels monumental with Autumn here watching us.
Hell, even if she weren’t here, it would feel that way.
It’s Tessa. There’s just something about her.
Leaning in, my lips connect with her temple.
“Have a good day.” The words are softly whispered just for her.
This isn’t a part of the show. This is me not wanting to leave her here.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
From the look on her face, she’s wondering the same thing. I wink, turn on my heel, and walk out the door. If I stay any longer, I’m going to be late for practice, and Coach Neil will have my ass. Running sprints with a hefty monetary fine is not something I plan on taking on today.
“You’re on fire out there today,” Case says, joining me on the sidelines for a drink of water.
I grin and take another swig from the Gatorade bottle. “You’re putting the ball in my hands and blocking the D-line.”
“It’s more than that. You get laid or something? Damn it, Barker. Did you hit up Henry’s without me?” He gives me a look that tells me if that were the case, he’d be pissed.
“Nope.” The rest of the team filters over, and we start talking about practice and our first preseason game in a few weeks.
“Hey, man, how’s Luna?” I ask Trent Caudill. He’s our starting right tackle, a beast of a man at six feet eight inches and weighing in at three-hundred-and-fifty-nine pounds.
“She’s perfect. Pregnancy looks good on her,” he says of his wife.
“When’s the little crumb snatcher coming?” Jack Fields, our starting left tackle, asks. He’s close to Trent in size, at six-six and two-hundred-and-ninety-eight pounds.
They’re both blocking machines, and I know that when they’re out on the field with me, I’m protected. To say that they’re good at their jobs is an understatement.
“The week of Thanksgiving. I’m hoping we’re home when it happens. Or we have a bye the following week. If she could hold off a few days, that would be ideal.”
“Gentlemen, is this little hen meeting over? We have some tapes to watch.” Coach Neil walks past us, and I see the smirk on his face.
He likes to give us shit, no matter if we’re on the field or not. Not needing to be told twice, we head to the locker room for quick showers so we can file into the media room to watch film.
With my phone on my lap, I sit at the back of the room, and it takes Herculean effort to stay awake.
I debate texting Tessa to see how her ankle is, but I’ll see her soon enough.
I don’t know if she believed me or not when I told her and Autumn I would be back today, but I meant it.
Somehow, she’s become more than just the chase and someone I want to get to know.
Regardless of whether or not she ever accepts my offer for a proper date, Tessa’s cool, and my gut tells me that knowing her, that having her in my life, could only mean good things.
Two hours later, we’re all blinking as our eyes adjust to the overhead lights that someone just turned on.
“Class dismissed.” Coach titters, obviously amused with himself.
We hear that line often, and it’s always followed by a laugh.
He’s a hardass on the field and about the game, but he’s a damn good coach because of it.
He’s also a pretty chill guy when he’s not ripping your ass while you’re on the field or pointing out a mistake in a game while going over film.
“Henry’s?” Kaden suggests.
“Can’t.”
“What do you got going on?” Case gives me a curious look.
“I have plans.” I’m being vague, and we all know it.
“What kind of plans?”
“Just plans.”
“Uh-huh.” Thomas laughs. “He’s getting laid.”
I’m never going to hear the end of this.
“I’m going to the animal shelter.” I’d much rather tell them the truth and take their ribbing than for them to get the wrong idea about Tessa when they find out that’s where I went.
I’ve never really cared about their opinions of the women I’ve spent time with in the past. Mostly because outside of a hook-up or a date to a function, there haven’t been any. Not since high school.
“You getting a dog?” Case asks.
“No. Tessa fell and hurt her ankle, so I’m going to go help.”
“Tessa, is she the hot-as-hell chick that was with Coach Baldwin’s wife?” Thomas asks.
“That would be her.”
“Nice.” Jack holds his fist out for me.
“Lucky Bastard,” Kaden mumbles. “Why you gotta take all the prime pussy, QB?”
I ignore the fact that he just referred to Tessa as pussy and push forward.
It’s how we talk, we’ve all done it, but it suddenly feels wrong when we’re talking about her .
“Look, she hurt her ankle, and the volunteers are random at best, according to Tessa, so I’m just helping out.
Feeding some dogs and whatever else needs to be done. No big deal.”
“Maybe we should come with you,” Jack offers. “You know, lend our brawn.” He flexes his arms as if to show off his muscles.
“Nah, it’s good. Thanks, though.”
“Oh, I see,” Kaden announces. “You’re afraid she’ll drop you and go for the real Cougar stud.” He puffs out his chest, and we laugh at his display.
“It’s no big deal. I’m just being nice. That’s all.”
“Okay.” Trent grins. “If that’s how you want to play it. Boys, I’m going home to my wife. I’ll see your ugly mugs on Monday.”
With a wave of goodbyes, we all go our separate ways, at least Trent and I do. I don’t stick around to see if the guys are meeting up at Henry’s now or later, for that matter. I have somewhere I need to be. After all, I never break a promise.