Page 70 of Tackle

“But we still don’t know who vandalized the heating unit.”

Emerson shrugged. “If it was random—and all indications are now pointing to that—then we probably never will. We can’t keep the security detail forever.”

A line appeared between Oz’s brows. She knew that face. He was thinking too hard. But her? She felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. Plastering herself to his front, she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him with a big smile. “It’s a crappy coincidence, but still a good thing. We don’t have anything to worry about anymore.”

His frown deepened and he nodded as though coming to a decision. “Fine. I’ll call them tomorrow.”

The swift change in his expression should’ve been a warning, but she was too wrapped up in Oz—literally and figuratively—to catch on quick enough. “You know what that means then, don’t you?” At her small head shake, he continued, “With the Holly trouble over, we can go see my mom. I’ve put it off too long. I need to tell her about my father and Nora.”

With the Phantoms guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, they didn’t need to play in the wild card game so Emerson knew Oz had the weekend free. He’d planned to hang out at home and relax but she could understand why he’d want to use the rare time off to his advantage.

But even with the Holly drama over, she still had one other problem with his plan. “I don’t think it’s a good idea that I go with you.”

As quickly as it had cleared, the line between his brows came back. “Why? You said yourself we have nothing more to worry about. I’m sure between Matt and Leslie, you should be able to leave for a few days.”

“It’s not that. It’s… With what you need to talk to your mom about, I feel like I’m intruding.”

“You won’t be—”

She placed her fingers over his lips. “Oz, even though your dad has been out of the picture for over twenty years, she’s still going to be upset by the news of his passing. I know you want me to meet her, and I will, only at a better time.”

Oz started shaking his head before she even finished speaking. “Believe me, I know my mom. Having you there will give her something else to focus on and she’ll need that. Besides, if I make the trip out there and don’t bring you, she might have my head. She’s dying to meet you. Said something along the lines of you restoring her faith in ever having grandchildren.”

Emerson’s brows nearly hit her hairline. “Oz Olson, what on earth have you been telling her about me?”

His cheeks instantly reddened. “Nothing! I mean, I’ve told her about you, of course. And I might have mentioned we were living together.”

Her lips pursed as she fought a smile. “And failed to mention it was temporary?”

“Well, here’s the thing,” his hands landed on her ass, pulling her in even closer. “I was hoping the move wouldn’t be temporary.”

She raised her brows. “Is that why more of my stuff keeps materializing?”

He had the grace to look sheepish. “You noticed that, huh?”

“Of course, I noticed. It’s hard to miss all the appliances that now line the kitchen counter.”

“I was planning to move your couch in next.”

She tipped her head back and laughed, knowing he was teasing, they had absolutely no room for two couches.

“So you’re on board with it?”

“I think it’s something we’ll need to talk about in more detail when you get back from your mom’s.”

“You mean whenweget back.”

She didn’t have the heart to deny him both things. “Fine, we.”

“Thank you, baby.” He sealed the deal with a kiss.

Chapter Twenty-three

It always felt a little strange coming home—familiar, yet not.

Oz had rented a car at the airport when he and Emerson had landed and during the drive it was hard not to spot the new growth among the old-time favorites. A new mini mall now sandwiched between the local diner and the comic book shop where he’d spent countless hours as a kid on a hot summer’s day or the big-box retail chain that now sat on a corner property where once only local businesses had claimed.

His old neighborhood was the same though, still quiet with only the sound of a lawn mower off in the distance. And his mom’s home, still exactly as he remembered it, down to the little gnome peeking through the snow-dusted bushes that lined the front of the house.

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