Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I mean, we were supposed to go to Autumn’s to watch the game with her and JJ.”
“Have them come to my place. In fact, you can all just stay there. The building has excellent security.”
“Landon, are we in danger?” I can hear the worry in her voice.
“No, you’re not in danger, but I would feel better knowing you’re at my place, safe away from the crazy fans.”
“Okay. You sure there’s nothing for us to worry about?”
“I’m positive. You think I’d let you be there on your own if there was? I just wanted to give you a warning. Oh, and ask your mom if she can stay a few extra days. I have some things I would like to talk to both of you about.” I catch Joseph’s eye as I say this, and he looks like he’s holding his breath, afraid to breathe.
“I can do that,” Caroline chimes in. “I’ll call the office and let them know I’m taking a few days of vacation.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you girls late tomorrow night.”
“Love you, Landon.”
“Love you, too, baby.”
I end the call.
“She’s there? Caroline is in Los Angeles?” Joseph sounds half excited and half panicked.
“Yeah, I flew her in to spend the weekend with Tess. I hate leaving her for away games.”
“The team flies out Monday morning,” Coach Neil speaks up.
“Don’t care. I’m flying home to my girl. Fine me, bench me, I don’t care.”
“You have a family emergency,” Coach Neil says with authority.
“However you want to spin it, you can. I’m on the first flight back to Los Angeles as soon as the game’s over.”
“Tom, hi, Joseph Stamper,” Joseph says, his phone to his ear. “I need you to contact my wife. Remind her of the terms of her prenup and let her know that I’ll be filing for divorce. Oh, and while you’re at it, let her know that anything she says in regard to any of my players and their families will be prosecuted in court. Thanks, Tom.” He hangs up and exhales loudly. “If I know Bridgett, that will stop her, and if not”—he shrugs—“I’ll take care of it.”
“You flying back with me?” I ask him.
“You’re damn right, I am.” He makes another call to charter a plane for the two of us.
I thought I would come to his suite and he was going to tell me that he made a pass at Tessa or that his wife was a lunatic and thought he wanted something—anything other than what he actually told me. He could be Tessa’s dad? How crazy is that? It’s such a small world. In a way, I want him to be. I want Tessa to have her father, and I want her mom to stay in Los Angeles. I know that would make my girl happy. Besides, she’s not going to miss what comes next.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tessa
It’s 1:00 a.m., and Landon should be here any minute. He called just before midnight, telling me that his plane landed and he was on his way here. Mom and I are both up waiting for him. He asked us to be, which is odd, and I’m trying hard not to worry. As far as I know, the media hasn’t picked up on any trade rumors involving him. I’ve been scouring the internet, searching, and nothing. That’s a good thing, but I can’t help but feel as though there’s something he’s not telling me. There’s something I’m missing in all of this.
The front door opens, and I stand from the couch. I hear his bag fall to the floor and his heavy footfalls as he enters the living room. His eyes are locked on mine as he stalks toward me. When he reaches me, he crushes me in his embrace and buries his face in my neck.
“Oh my God.” My mom breathes the words, and her reaction has me pulling away.
Standing in Landon’s living room is the team owner, Joseph Stamper. He’s staring at my mom like she’s a cool drink of water after being stranded in the desert. “Caroline,” he says wistfully.
“I can’t believe it’s you. After all these years.” A tear rolls down her cheek as she stands and takes a hesitant step toward him. “At the dinner, I thought maybe I was hallucinating. You acted as if you’d never met me. I assumed you had forgotten. That our week was a long-lost memory for you.”
Landon moves to stand behind me, his arms keeping me held close to his chest. “Just watch,” he whispers.
“You’re more beautiful today than all those years ago,” Joseph tells her. “I was shocked to see you, and I didn’t want to cause a scene. But I remember you, my Caroline. I remember everything about you.”
She blushes. My mom blushes! “You found me,” she says, looking over her shoulder at us, as if remembering we’re here in the room with them. There is something in her eyes. Is she worried? She’s turned back to face him before I can get a good read on her.