Chapter 20 #2
We landed in New York about two hours ago, checked into our rooms, and now here we are in the conference room, eating our catered meal, one that is mandatory. Coach Neil thinks that it promotes team bonding or some shit. He’s right. I’m just bitter because I could be in my room, talking to Tessa.
“Arm’s looking good,” a deep voice rumbles from beside me. Turning, I see the team owner, Joseph Stamper, taking the seat next to mine.
“Thanks.” I grab my water and take a long drink. “Team’s tight.” I’m sure he’s about to rip my ass about climbing the wall to get to Tessa. I paid my fine, though, so we should be able to move on.
He nods. “We’re off to a great start. Speaking of starts, I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone until the press reported it at the pet adoption, and then there was your stunt at the game last week. Lots of good feedback from the shelter adoption.”
I can’t help it. I grin. “Tessa.” Even I can hear the fondness in my voice when it comes to her.
“You know we had to fine you for that, but the team has had a lot of positive press from your little show. I have to ask, what caused you to climb into the stands? What couldn’t wait until after the game?”
I shrug. “She looked upset.” I’m waiting for his reprimand that never comes.
“You’re telling me that because she looked like she was upset, you climbed the wall, ignored your coach when he yelled for you, and knew you were going to be fined, but you did it anyway?”
“Yep.”
He surprises me when he clamps a hand on my shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you.”
“Just the opposite, in fact. I’m lucky to have her.”
“She looks familiar.”
“Tessa Deaton.” I give him her full name. Everyone already knows at this point.
He shakes his head. “Let’s keep the wall climbing to a minimum the rest of the season, huh?
” He says the words, but there is no heat or reprimand in them.
In fact, he looks amused and something else I can’t quite put my finger on.
As long as it’s not his anger, I don’t care.
Not that it would stop me. My contract is solid for the next four years.
Besides, this is Tessa we’re talking about.
If she needs me, well, I’m going to be there. Climbing a wall or not.
“I’m not making any promises.”
He shakes his head, smiling, but instead of replying, he takes a long pull of the glass of amber liquid he’s drinking. Alcohol is off-limits to the players, but I guess if you own the team and it’s not your ass getting tossed around on the field, you can afford that luxury.
The rest of the night passes in a blur. Food, laughter, jokes, and the entire time, I’m always thinking about her. When we’re finally free to go, Trent and I bust ass back to our rooms, both of us already with our phones to our ears.
“Hey, you,” Tessa answers.
“I miss you.”
Her soft laugh washes over me. “I miss you, too. How was the team dinner?”
“Good. The owner, Joseph Stamper, stopped to talk to me. I thought for sure I was going to get an ass ripping, but he seemed more amused than anything about my wall climb.”
“The local news did a piece tonight. They’re questioning if I’m going to be at the away game, and if I am, if you’ll be climbing every wall at every stadium to get to me.”
“I would.”
“I know you would, but you can’t afford all those fines.”
“I can, actually.”
“I assumed you were paid well, being a professional athlete and all, but that’s insane. Do you realize how much money that is? Ten thousand dollars per game?”
“Tess, I know we don’t talk about money, and that’s one of the things I love most about you. You’re not with me because of my bank account balance, but, babe, do you know how much my last contract was for?”
“No.”
“Google it.”
“Can’t you just tell me? I don’t like to Google you. I’d rather you tell me anything and everything that you want me to know.”
“I love you. I want you to know that.”
Her voice softens. “I love you, too.”
“I signed a five-year deal last year with the Cougars.”
“Okay.”
“For one hundred and sixty million.”
“Dollars?” she asks, choking on her words.
Her shock has a sense of pride washing over me. Not because of the bank balance or that I’ve managed to shock her, but because she is shocked. I finally found a woman who’s interested in me, Landon Barker, not the quarterback, not the one-hundred-and-sixty-million-dollar contract. Just me.
“Dollars,” I confirm.
“Wow. Okay, then.”
“You’re amazing. Have I ever told you that?”
“A few times.”
“Well, I’m saying it again.”
“Thank you,” she says over a yawn.
“I’ll let you go. I know you have to work tomorrow.”
“What about you? What’s your day look like?”
“We’ll do a short practice, some walk-through drills, and some game tape.”
“Exciting.” She yawns again.
“It beats a nine-to-five.”
“Don’t downplay it. You love it, and you know it.”
“I do. Get some sleep.”
“Night, Lucky.”
I chuckle at her use of the nickname she and Autumn cooked up. “Night, Freckles.” I’ve barely ended the call when my phone lights up with a message. I grin when I see it’s one of my best friends and former roommates from college, Reid Montgomery.
Reid: Jumped any walls lately?
I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles out of me.
Me: As a matter of fact, I have.
Reid: You getting all domesticated on me, Barker?
Me: Damn right.
Reid: Happy for you, man. Give a guy a heads-up next time, so I don’t find out on Sports Central.
Me: It’s been crazy. You’re right. One day soon, we’re going to have to get together so you can meet my girlfriend, Tessa.
Reid: You’d better lock her down before I get there. You know the ladies love me.
I know that he’s teasing, but it still grates on my nerves.
Me: Not this one. She’s mine. Keep your ass in Nashville.
Reid: Damn, another one bites the dust.
Me: You’ll understand one day.
Reid: That’s what they tell me. Beckett and Reynolds are both in the same boat.
Me: Good for them.
Reid: Yeah, yeah.
His message is followed by a string of laughing emojis.
Me: I’m hitting the hay. Good luck tomorrow against Georgia.
Reid: Give Dallas some hell, will ya?
Me: You know we will. Talk soon.
I smile as I plug my phone in to charge and close my eyes, drifting off to sleep.