Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“She’s visited before, Landon.”
“Yeah, but the stakes are higher this time around. You’re in a committed relationship and soon there will be grandkids involved and she’s not going to want to miss that. We need to play that angle.”
“Grandkids?” I ask. We’re standing outside the hotel at the back private entrance having this conversation. Anyone could be lurking and hear us, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“We both want kids, right? We talked about this.”
I nod slowly. “I do and we did, but you’re thinking about us having kids?”
“That’s part of the progression of two people who love each other.”
Again, I nod. “It is. I guess I’m just surprised.”
“Em.” He bends his knees so we’re eye to eye. “I love you. Not just for today or the present. I love you for the yesterdays, the todays, and the tomorrows. All of them—past, present, and future. That’s not going to change.”
“I love you too.”
“Come on. Let’s go back inside and mingle. I want you to meet more of the team.”
Hand in hand, we make our way back into the hotel and spend the next two hours laughing and talking with his teammates. Luna and I talked for a long time, and she reminded me about her baby shower. It’s in a few weeks when the guys have a bye week. I can’t imagine having to work your life around a professional football team, but then again, that’s exactly what I’m doing. In my mind, Landon and I have two very different lives, but the reality is that we’ve made it work. Because we want it to work. It’s an enlightening revelation, and it makes our earlier talk hit home even more so. I want that with him. The future, house, kids. All of it. I’ve been afraid to voice it, but the want is deep-rooted in my soul.
“I guess we should get going.” I look across the room to where Aubrey and Chance are talking to Thomas.
“I was planning on sneaking you up to my room.”
“You sound like a teenager.” I chuckle.
“Not that they’d actually check,” he says with a smile.
“No, you need your rest and we’re not doing that to Trent.”
“Fine,” he grumbles good-naturedly. “Thanks for being here, Em. Thanks for letting me meet your mom.”
“No place I’d rather be.”
“I can think of one place,” he whispers huskily as his lips press to mine.
“Barker, keep it PG,” the deep voice from earlier says from behind us.
I can feel my face heat with embarrassment. “No promises,” Landon replies, cocky as ever.
“Landon.” I scold him under my breath.
“Emma, it was nice to meet you.”
“You too, Mr. Stamper.”
“Please.” He swallows hard. “Call me Joseph.”
I nod. “Landon, walk me out?”
“If I have to.” He sighs dramatically and I can’t hide my smile.
“Come on, Number Eighteen, you need your beauty sleep.”
“Hey!” He pretends to be offended. We both know he doesn’t need beauty sleep. He was gifted with damn good genes, and he’s nowhere near offended.
“I was just coming to find you,” Aubrey says as we approach. “I’m going to stay here tonight.” She snuggles into Chance’s chest.
“Shoulda been a fucking coach,” Landon grumbles and we all laugh.
“Come on, you big baby. Walk me to the car. Aubs, if you need a ride tomorrow, just call me.”
“The team car will bring her home,” Chance replies confidently.
After a round of hugs and goodbyes, we head outside to Mom’s car. “You going to be okay driving back on your own?”
“I grew up here,” I remind him. “I’ll be fine.”
“Lock your doors, and text me. No… call me as soon as you make it back to your mom’s.”
“Landon, I’ll be fine.”
“Humor me, freckles.”
“Yes, I will call you when I get to Mom’s.”
“Good.” He nods, liking that he got his way. It’s a small concession really, and we talk every night before bed that we don’t spend together, so I would have called him anyway, or him me.
We reach Mom’s car and he wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “I love you, Em. Drive safe.”
“Love you too,” I mumble against his chest. “I’m kinda sad I won’t be in the stands cheering you on at the game. It feels like I’m going to miss all the action.”
“Nah, you’ll have the best seats in the house. We have several booths, so I’m not sure who’s going to be in the booth with you, but they’re all Trojans so the three of you will be in good company.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“I know you will.” One more kiss that curls my toes and he pulls back to open the car door for me. “Drive safe.” He waits until I’m buckled in before closing the door and taking a step back. I force myself to start the car and pull away.
I’ve never wanted to be near someone like I do Landon. It’s as if his soul calls to mine; it’s unlike anything I’ve ever known. As I drive back to Mom’s, I think about what our future might look like, and excitement bubbles in my chest. Landon and I, we’ve got this. Our future is what we make it, and I see great things headed our way.