Page 77 of Best Year Ever
“Yes, will do.”
With his agreement, the ladies say goodbye, promising to update me as everything develops.
After we hang up, I turn my whole body to him. He still hashis hand on my leg, which had kept me grounded during the last three minutes of that call.
“Landon, this could get crazy right as you’re starting with training camp and mandatory media time. I’m so sorry you’ll have to deal,” I say, genuinely feeling bad.
Maybe he’ll shut down on me given where the article seems headed, I realize with a pulse of fear.
But he puts that worry to rest immediately. “No big deal, Rori, really babe. The media, the attention, wild questions—it’s all part of getting paid so much for what we do. I’ll deflect any question, and keep things focused on football in my press sessions. The team’s PR staff can control that too.”
As if to seal his comments as a promise, he leans towards me and kisses me firmly on the mouth.
He then moves his head back a few inches. “Are you freaking out?”
I kind of am. “A little,” I whisper in acknowledgment. “I’m just not used to the public exposure yet like you are. It’s only been the last year that people have really paid any attention to me.”
He looks into my eyes and nods like he understands. “It’s an adjustment. But I’ve got you, Taylor’s got you, and I think even Nina’s got you.”
I laugh at the last part of his statement. “Oh, Nina.”
Landon’s eyes dance as he smiles. “You could practically see the dollar signs in her head as she thought about the opportunities if we date publicly.”
Landon’s calmness is contagious, and I feel my nerves settling down. I reach up with my hand and touch his cheek.
“Thank you. Thank you for not being scared off by this.”
He shakes his head, leaning into my hand afterwards. “No way, Rori. We have a good thing. We can’t let outside noise affect what we want to do.”
Digesting his comment, I feel momentarily overwhelmed.
Only this man would understand this kind of challenge and how to get past it.
Only this man would be able to handle the press exposure without a beat.
Only this man would face this news without any nerves and be able to help me do the same.
How did I get so lucky to find him?
The next morning, I wake up in Landon’s enormous bed with Grover at my feet but no one next to me. I roll over to the bedside table on my side of the bed and see a note.
“Working out in gym - L”
Landon had shown me a killer gym room during my tour of his house. Neither of us has a formal practice today, so he must’ve wanted to sneak in a workout session early.
I take my time getting put together in the bathroom. My hair’s a frazzled mess between our bedroom activities last night and then rolling around in my sleep. Fifteen minutes with my toiletry bag later, I look back to normal and ready to visit Landon in his gym.
But first, coffee. When I come into the kitchen, Landon has thankfully brewed some already. I notice he’s made my favorite brand, which he must’ve known from coming to my place so often.
I think I know Landon’s love language. This man seems to relish in taking care of me, in all sorts of ways. Despite our lack of labels.
Hearing rap music playing as I approach, I walk with my mug to the gym. Landon’s on his treadmill.Sigh.What a sight. He only has a pair of gym shorts on, no shirt. His skin has a layer of sweat over it, making him glisten. And with his back facing me, I’m free to admire how incredible his body looks as he runs on the machine.
I walk towards him, and not wanting to startle him, I try to make some noise on my way over. He turns as he hears myfootsteps and smiles. Hitting pause on the treadmill, he jumps off as it slows down.
“Hey babe,” he says, giving me a kiss on the forehead. “I had a thought. How about a boat day? You can get a workout in first if you want, but my boat’s been so underused lately. I have just the spot to take you on the water too.”
Who knew he even had a boat? Sounds dreamy.
