Chapter 31
Grace
When I open my eyes the next morning, the first sensation I feel is warmth. Not emotionally, though that too. Literal warmth.
Johnson runs hot in his sleep, and he has an arm and a leg thrown over me. I’m baking where his skin is touching mine.
No complaints though, because it’s the best feeling. I snuggle into him, and he pulls me in tighter, mumbling something.
I drift back to sleep until his alarm goes off—he has to be up before me because his practice begins two hours earlier than my classes.
After he turns off the alarm, he rolls back over and recaptures me in his embrace, kissing the top of my head.
“Now I get Wednesday mornings with you too,” he says in a low, sleepy voice. “I could get used to this.”
“Mmmmm,” I mumble.
He kisses my cheek as he moves to sit up. “Stay there, stay comfortable. I’m going to start moving here.”
After he goes into the bathroom, I force myself to wake up. I don’t want to linger at his house after he’s gone because that feels too forward for the first sleepover.
So when he comes out of the bathroom, I crawl out of the bed to claim it for myself. He eyes my disheveled state—my hair is a bird’s nest and my cotton sleep set is thoroughly wrinkled—and grins.
“You look so cute when you wake up, Goldie,” he says.
“I’m a hot mess, but thank you.”
“I like the hot mess version too, then. All the versions, remember?” He kisses my forehead. “I’ve got a surprise for you in the kitchen when you are done, meet me there.”
I head into the bathroom and get myself presentable. I’m going to run at Tolliver since I’ll be so early today, so I skip a shower until after, instead slipping on my running clothes.
Hair in a ponytail, cute workout gear on, and a ton of SPF 30 moisturizer applied later, I make my way out to the kitchen.
Johnson is brewing coffee for himself. When he sees me approach, he opens up his arms, and following his cue, I step into them and enjoy the embrace.
“It’s nice having you here,” he says in a gentle voice, his chin resting on the top of my head.
“I like being here,” I say into his chest.
“You ready for your surprise?” he asks instead. “It’s not a big one. I should probably manage expectations here.”
“You know me and how much I like surprises,” I tease. “What is it?”
He loosens his arms and turns towards the counter, where there’s already a full mug.
“I got you chai tea. I’m not sure it’s a good brand. If you have a preference, let me know and I can get a different one.”
I go over to the mug and take a sip. “It’s so yummy. You picked this up yesterday after I said I might come?”
He hesitates a second, and then…is that a blush on his cheeks? “Actually, I got it in my grocery order last week, just in case.”
Oh my god. I’m melting.
“Thanks, Johnson,” I say, closing the space between us and pushing up on my toes for a peck on his lips. “It’s perfect.”
He grins as I step back, looking happy he got it right. “I need to get moving out the door, unfortunately. But I’ll call you tonight?”
“Yeah, let me get my stuff too.”
As we walk out, it hits me that we’re probably not going to spend time together for another week. Although the Waves game this weekend is at home…
“I’ll be at the game Sunday,” I mention as we get to our cars. “Jessica and I are going together.” I don’t mention that she’s probably going to spend the whole time grilling me about him.
“Oh yeah?” he says. “You want to come over after?”
He throws it out so quickly, I don’t even have time to think of what it means to add another date together this week.
“Yes, sounds great.”
“See you then, Goldie.”
He starts to bend down to get in his car, but then pauses and turns back my way.
“My first touchdown Sunday will be for you.”
I head back to my condo after class, and sit down on my sofa as soon as I’ve chucked my school bag and my travel bag inside the door.
What a twenty-four hours. I haven’t even had time to process what Landon mentioned—that he doesn’t need my help anymore as his personal assistant. But as I think about it, I can feel some stress unravel in my gut.
One less thing to do. It’s nice to have that off my plate.
As if he feels his ears burning, Landon’s name flashes on my screen right then.
He texts a lot more than calls, so I’m a little anxious what it could be about when I pick it up.
“Hey, Gracie. You home or at school?”
“Home now.” He has me on speaker. “Are you out?”
“Yeah, I’m driving back to the house from practice. It was fun last night, thanks for coming to dinner. With Rori around more, I thought it’d be nice for you to get to know her better.”
“Definitely. Plus, for your away games, we can watch together at your place, keep each other company. It’s great, Landon.”
I hear his turn signal in the background, and he takes a second to respond.
“Why are you calling me while you’re driving?”
“Sorry, sorry. I wanted to sneak in this call before I’m at the house with Rori.”
“Okay.” I’m now very curious what this could be about.
“So Rori’s twenty-first birthday is in two weeks, right before our bye week, when we won’t have a game. I’ve been in touch with her best friend Maggie, and I’m going to organize a surprise trip to the Caribbean for a week. Me, her, and some of her friends.”
“Wow, that’s incredible.” My brother is all-in when he’s committed to something. Or now, someone.
“Yeah, Maggie’s a pro tennis player too. Actually, all of her friends coming on the trip are on the tour. So she’ll be able to practice for the WTA Finals.” I hear him flip on the turn signal again. “You can totally come if you want?”
I can’t afford to miss that much school in my last semester. “I have to stay for classes, Landon. I’m so sorry. It would be a lot of fun.”
He doesn’t miss a beat. “Don’t feel bad at all, Gracie. I thought that might be your answer. I’m chartering a plane and bringing Grover with us, so you don’t have dog sitting duties or anything. But if you wouldn’t mind checking on the house while I’m gone, that would be great.”
He says the last request like he knows I won’t say no, even though it sounds awfully like the “personal assistant” duties I was just relieved of. Since stopping by his place will be easier from Johnson’s house, maybe I’ll time my house checks with my sleepovers there.
“Okay, no problem. You guys will have so much fun. Your birthday’s only two weeks after hers, so you can celebrate that too.”
“We’ll make this trip about Rori, since the boys will come for mine, and I’ll have my moment then.”
“Sounds good.” Rawls and Connor are flying in for Landon’s birthday weekend, and I’m excited for us all to be together.
“Let me get off the phone so I can get home safely. Love you.”
We hang up and I close my eyes, trying to chill out for a minute.
Five minutes of quiet later, I pop my eyes open and start to work on my reading for school, so I can check one more thing off my list.