Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I’m going to finish up here, and then I’ll be there. Can someone text me the address?” I ask.
“I’ll drive us,” Landry speaks up. “I’ll help Rowan, and we’ll be on our way.”
“I can drive. I don’t mind.”
Landry waves his hand in the air. “It’s silly for us both to drive. I’ll just bring you back here to your car after. Is there anything that we need to pick up?” he asks Corie.
“Not that I can think of. We bought the laundry detergent to wash the clothes, already in one of the gift baskets, so I think we’re set.”
Baker clears his throat, clearly choked up. “I’m gonna—” He points over his shoulder, swallows hard, then waves before walking out the door.
“Poor guy,” Corie says.
“Really, Core, is there something else he needs that we didn’t get?” Landry asks her.
“I don’t think so. Let’s get him all set up and unpacked. He’ll need to order furniture, but other than that, I think he’s good outside of formula and bottles. However, I’m unsure if she plans to breastfeed and what type of bottles she wants to use. That’s going to have to be a decision they make.”
“Damn,” Foster mutters. “Talk about messy.”
“Yeah,” Reid agrees.
“Messy, but nothing we can’t get him through. Our Rampage family is growing,” Knox says, pulling Corie closer.
“You’re next.” Sloane laughs.
“What?” Landry whips his head around to stare at Knox and Corie. “Are you?” he asks.
“No,” Corie rushes to assure him. She smiles up at her husband. “One day.”
“One day, Corie girl. You tell me when,” Knox says, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. “All right, we’re out.”
Everyone says a quick goodbye, and then it’s just Landry and me. He turns and places his hands on my hips, moving me a little to the left, before dropping his hold and taking his spot to rinse and dry. We finish in just a few minutes. I wait for Landry to lock up the house and follow him to his truck.
I can’t help but smile as we pull out of his driveway. This seems mundane, but to me, today was everything. Helping a friend in need is everything because they’re my friends. For the first time in my life, I have my people, and I hope like hell my ex doesn’t take them from me. I want to stay here in Nashville. I feel a connection to this city, my job, and, of course, my newfound family. That’s what they are.
Chapter Nine
Landry
“My man!” I raise my hand for Harry, the head of the maintenance department and my partner in crime, to give me a high-five. “What’s new?”
“Everyone’s excited about family day.”
“Family day?” I have no idea what he’s talking about.
“Yep.” Harry grins. He prides himself on getting the scoop, and he especially enjoys it when he gets one over on me, which he has this time.
“Come on, now, you have to spill the tea.”
His grin grows wider, the skin around his eyes crinkling. “The Rampage is doing a family day. An event for all the players, their families, and the staff to get together to celebrate the start of the season.”
“Oh, yeah, and when was this announced? When is this family day that you speak of?”
“They sent out an email a few weeks ago. The missus is excited. This time, this isn’t a secret. Are you just messing with me, boy? You knew, didn’t you?” he asks.
“No. I didn’t know. Truly, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and start scrolling through my long list of emails. Lo and behold, there it is. I don’t know how I missed it. Quickly, I skim the contents and shove the device back into my pocket.
“You gonna be there?” Harry asks.
“Harry, my man, Rampage is life,” I tell him, gently slapping a hand to his shoulder. “I’ll be there.”
“You bringing a lady friend?” he asks, wagging his eyebrows.
“They said family day.”
“So, that’s a no?”
I can’t help it. I laugh. Harry is always telling me I need a woman in my life and that he’d be lost without his wife. “That’s a no. I haven’t found her yet.”
“Well, you can’t have mine. So keep your muscles and your green eyes that the ladies seem to swoon over all to yourself.”
“I mean, maybe she needs a younger man in her life.” I hold my arms out at my sides. “Patty might want to trade you in for a new model.”
Harry’s belly shakes with laughter. “Get out of here with that nonsense. My Patty is just fine.”
“You better watch out, old man.”
“Whose side are you on?” he asks as I start walking backward toward the training room.
“Patty’s!” I call out before turning and heading down the hall. His laughter carries after me. Pushing into the training room, I see Knox and Foster already on the treadmills. Technically, we’re not required to be here, but our captain, also known as Knox, my best friend and brother-in-law, is a tyrant. Well, not so much since he married my sister, but he still finds time to ride our asses about getting in shape for the season.