Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
L andon
We finish with game film early, so I rush through my shower and head to the shelter.
Case and some of the guys are stopping to eat before joining us.
I called ahead and had pizza delivered to the shelter.
I know there will be popcorn and things like that served, but a man’s gotta eat and see his woman, so delivery was the best option.
Anything that gets me to Tessa faster is always the way to go.
It’s just a little past eleven when I get here, and already, the news stations are set up. I don’t see much in the way of guests, maybe a few lingering around. Most of the people I see are wearing Safe Haven Animal Shelter shirts, so I know they’re volunteers.
Pulling my SUV around back, like Tessa told me to this morning, I lock it up and head inside using the back door. From the sounds of their voices, Tessa and Autumn are in their office.
“So, how are things?” Autumn asks.
“Good.”
“Good. All I get is good? Come on now, I want the dirt.”
“We’ve got work to do. Not to mention, there are people lingering everywhere. That’s the last thing Landon and I need is our sex life plastered all over the papers.”
“Oooh, so there is a sex life. Tell me more,” Autumn quips, and I hear them both chuckle.
“Yes, and it’s amazing and he’s… I don’t know. He’s everything I never knew I wanted. I’m just trying to go with the flow and not worry about the what-ifs.”
“Pfft, there are no what-ifs. I’m telling you, that man’s in love with you.”
She’s not wrong. I should feel guilty for eavesdropping, but I remain where I am just outside their office door.
“He is not.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Autumn tells her. “Tell me this. If he were to tell you that he loves you, what would you say?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure. I would be in shock. But if that day ever comes, I’d tell him I love him, too.”
“I knew it!” Autumn cheers, and if she says anything else, I miss it.
My feet carry me into their office and take me straight to Tessa.
She’s standing with her hands on a box of flyers, but she drops them and turns to face me.
I take her face in the palm of my hands and hold her stare.
Her green eyes are filled with worry when they should only ever be filled with love.
“Let’s try it,” I say, keeping my voice low. It doesn’t matter. I know that Autumn is hanging on every word.
“Try what?” she asks softly.
“Oh, Tess.” I smile down at her. “I’m in love with you.” Her green eyes widen and grow wet with tears. She opens her mouth, then closes it.
“This is the shock,” Autumn says, helpful as ever.
“I love you,” I say again, and this time, a lone tear trickles down her cheek.
“I-I love you, too. But it’s soon. We’re crazy, right?”
“No,” Autumn and I say at the same time.
“When you know, you know,” Autumn adds. “Trust me on this. Cocky and I fell in love on a road trip with Pinky, and we were complete strangers. It happens when you least expect it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Live it. You never know when that chance might be taken away from you. In my case, it was my Jeremy, but I got him back, and you can bet your ass I’m holding on tight. ”
“What do you say, Tess? You want to hold on tight?” I ask her.
“Only with you.”
“There’s my girl.” I lean in and kiss her, swiping at her bottom lip with my tongue, begging her to open for me.
“As much as I love this, we have work to do. Come on, love birds,” Autumn says as she leaves the room. She’s acting as though we have to go, but I know she’s giving us privacy, hence the reason she shuts the door behind her.
“Did that just really happen?” Tessa asks.
“Yeah, it did.”
“I-I didn’t expect that.”
“I know, but I heard you two talking, and it felt right. It might not have been the most romantic admission of love, but I promise you, it’s with all my heart.”
“I love that it was spontaneous. It’s real. Not that practiced or planned isn’t real, but that’s not life, not really. Very rarely do things go as planned, and it’s definitely a moment I will always remember.”
“A story for the grandkids.”
“Come on, you two.” Autumn knocks on the door.
“I need to get out there.”
“Where do you need me?”
“There are three news stations waiting for you to give them an interview.”
“Do it with me?”
“Landon, I—” I hold up my hand to stop her.
“You are the woman I love, and if I’m going to tell the world we’re together, I want you by my side.”
“Like this?” She looks down at her work polo shirt and khaki shorts.
“Just like this. Come on.” With a quick and final kiss to her lips, I link her fingers with mine and lead us outside to the main entrance of the shelter, where the news reporters and camera crews are ready and waiting.
“Landon, why the interest in Safe Haven Animal Shelter?”
“Landon, any thoughts on tomorrow’s game?”
“Landon, who’s the woman?”
Question after question is fired off. I pull Tess up next to me, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“One at a time, please.” I hold up my free hand, and the crowd quiets down.
“First of all, I want to thank you all for being here. For giving the Safe Haven Animal Shelter some screen time. I can answer two questions at once. “Why Safe Haven and who this beautiful woman is. This is Tessa Deaton, the love of my life.” Girlfriend makes it sound like we’re in high school.
It’s freeing now that I’ve told her I love her.
I can shout it to the world. “She assists Autumn Baldwin, and before you ask, yes, Jeremy Baldwin’s wife. ”
“The love of my life,” Jeremy repeats as he and Autumn join us.
“What about tomorrow’s game? Coach Baldwin, any insight?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s a question I’m afraid I’m not willing to answer. The team looks good, and that’s all I’m going to say. Today is about the shelter, about these two amazing women who pour their hearts and souls into this place, and the animals who will hopefully find new homes today.”
A few more rounds of questions that Autumn and Tessa field and we’re free to go. The reporters stick around to get some footage of the animals and the guests arriving, but they leave us alone.
“Hey, you two,” I hear from behind us. I turn to see my parents wearing huge smiles. “Tessa, this place is amazing. What a great turnout,” Mom praises.
“Carly, Bryan, this is Autumn, my best friend and boss, and this is her husband, Jeremy. Guys, this is Landon’s parents.” Handshakes and “nice to meet yous” are exchanged.
“Put us to work,” Dad speaks up. “We’re happy to help.”
“That’s so kind of you. I think we have it under control right now, but I might have to look you up later,” Autumn replies.
“Well, we’re going to go walk around. Let us know if you need us,” Mom says, linking her arm through Dad’s and walking toward where the animals are.
“Your parents are great,” Tessa says, smiling up at me.
“They are,” I agree. “Back to business. What do you need?”
“Well, that tent over there”—she points to a white tent with tables underneath—“is for you and your teammates.”
“Yo, Barker!” I hear yelled, and I don’t have to look to know it’s Case.
“Speaking of…” I say with a chuckle.
“Oh, it’s the lovely Tessa. So nice to see you again.” Case doesn’t give a single fuck that I’m standing next to her with my arm around her shoulders. He swoops in, lifting her off her feet and giving her a hug.
“Release my girl,” I tell him. My voice is gruff, but he knows I’m kidding.
Mostly. By the time he puts her back on her feet, Thomas, Kaden, and Jack all step in and do the same thing.
They know it’s going to irritate the fuck out of me, which is why I bite my tongue.
It’s not until Case mentions Corey that my hackles truly rise.
“My brother’s been asking about you,” he tells Tessa.
“Nope. Not happening.” I pull Tessa into my chest, her back to my front, and rest my chin on top of her head. “She’s taken.”
Case grins. He knows she’s taken. Fucker wanted to get me riled up. Payback’s a bitch, though. I’ll remember this.
“Now that the pissing contest is over, I’ll show you where you’re all going to be.
” Autumn steps in and takes charge. I’m sure she thinks she’s diffusing the situation.
It’s not like I’m going to start a fight with my teammates.
Although if they were serious, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Not when it comes to Tessa. I know they’re razzing me to try and ruffle my feathers. It worked.
Bending my head and placing my lips next to her ear, I whisper, “I love you.” I follow it with a kiss to her neck before releasing her and following after Autumn, Jeremy, and my teammates.
It’s been over three hours since I’ve talked to Tessa.
I’ve seen her, my eyes scanning the crowds looking for her, but as far as getting any time with her, that’s been nil.
Bad for me, good for the shelter. The turnout has been incredible, and from the looks on the smiling kids’ faces as they pack animals into their cars, it’s been a huge success.
“So, Tessa.” Case grins when there’s finally a break in the action. We’ve been signing autographs for three solid hours.
I nod. “Tessa.”
“I told you we should have put bets on it,” Jack grumbles.
“What are you talking about?”
“You see, QB, we knew you were toast the minute you laid eyes on her. We could all see it. It was just a matter of time before she wore you down.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “You think she wore me down? I wish it were that easy. She fought me every step of the way. As far as me being toast, I’ll admit that.
At first, I was blowing it off that she turned me down, but I was persistent, and the more time I spent with her…
” My eyes scan until I find her. She’s kneeling next to a little girl who has a kitten in her hands.
“He’s a goner,” Kaden chimes in.
“Yeah,” I agree. No point in denying it. There’s not a damn thing wrong with me being in love. I’m not embarrassed by it. If anything, I want to show her off. She’s incredible.
“Hey, guys,” Jeremy says, walking up to the tent. “Thanks for being here today. I appreciate your support of Autumn and Tessa.”
“Does this mean you’re going to take it easy on me at practice next week?” Thomas asks.
“Nope.” Jeremy chuckles. “Really, though, I know we have a game tomorrow, and I’m sure this is the last place you want to be today, but we really appreciate you being here. Autumn and Tessa bust their asses for this place. It’s nice to see they’re getting the word out.”
“Like your status didn’t bring any of these people in,” Jack tells him.
“Maybe, but it’s not my name on the backs of all these jerseys.” He nods toward the crowd. “I’m new to the team, and I haven’t played in a long time. Unless they’re a collector of my ass photographs, it’s all you.”
“W-What?” Case sputters with laughter.
“Oh, let me tell you about the ass photographs,” Autumn says, stepping up behind her husband.
He wraps her in his arms as she tells us all about it.
She has us all rolling with laughter by the time she’s finished.
“Anyway.” She grins, clearly proud of herself.
“Things are winding down. You guys can head out. Thank you for being here.”
“Wanna grab a beer at Henry’s?” Case asks our group. Thomas, Kaden, and Jack immediately agree. “Landon?”
“We might catch up with you. I’m going to stick around and see if Tessa needs anything.”
Thomas begins to sing “Another One Bites the Dust,” making everyone laugh. “Next thing you know, he’s going to be walking down the aisle and having babies like Trent.”
He’s joking, but what he doesn’t realize is the thought of that… it’s not scary. Not even in the slightest. That’s… unexpected, but then again, everything with Tessa is new and unexpected. I’m a greedy bastard because I want more of it.
More of her.
Any way I can have her. If that means with a ring on her finger and growing round with my child, I’ll take it.
In fact, now that the thought is in my head, I can see it clearly.
Our future flashes before my eyes. I can see it playing out, plain as day, and it’s not fear I feel, it’s excitement.
I want to spend every day of forever with her by my side.