“Anything.”
“Come to me. If you read or hear something, come to me and ask. I’ll always be honest with you, and 99 percent of the time, it’s going to be a lie you read or hear about. Just… give me the chance to tell you what really happened. They like to throw a spin on the most innocent of acts and make them seem scandalous.”
“I can do that.”
“I mean it, Emma. I wanted more time with you.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “I wanted more time to show you I’m a good man, one you can count on, one who will be faithful to you. I wanted time to prove that to you before they came barging into our lives, but I would rather them hear it from me.”
“Okay, then we wait.”
“You see, that’s just it. I can’t be near you and not show how much you mean to me. I can’t avoid you all day. I won’t. I refuse to. So, it’s now. I just have mixed emotions. I want it out there… that I’m off the market. That this beautiful green-eyed girl has captured my attention, but I want to keep you safe. Safe from the rumors, just… safe from the vultures that are the media.”
“You’ve never given me a reason not to trust you. I don’t think you’re asking too much. If I hear something, I’ll come to you. In fact, I like that you’re being open and we’re talking about things. I want us to be about more than just sex.” Not that the sex isn’t fantastic. This has been a really, really good week.
“We are more, Em. We’re so much more, baby.” He leans in for a kiss.
“Now,” I say, our mouths barely a breath apart. “Feed me.”
He chuckles, presses his lips to my forehead, and backs away. “As you wish, my lady.” He adds the final layer of cheese on our pizza and pops it in the oven. “Practice ends at noon, so I’ll be there right after.”
“That’s perfect. The event starts at one so you won’t miss much. You sure you don’t mind hanging around? You can just make an appearance and jet. Isn’t that what most of you big-time celebrities do?”
“Maybe, but I’m not just some big-time celebrity. I’m your boyfriend before anything else, and a supportive boyfriend stays to help.”
“Yeah, but most boyfriends aren’t the starting quarterback for the Hermosa Beach Trojans.”
“Right? You’re lucky.”
“Oh, you think so?”
He leans in close. “I know so.” His lips hover over mine but never connect when there’s a knock at the door.
“Expecting company?” I ask.
“Nope. Be right back.” He pushes off the counter and disappears into the living room to answer the door.
Deciding to make myself useful, I hop off the counter and begin cleaning up, putting the extra toppings away and washing the few dishes he used to make the dough. I hear voices, but don’t pay too much attention until Landon is standing in the doorway of the kitchen wearing a grin.
“Emma.”
“Landon,” I mock him.
“There’s a couple of people I’d like you to meet.” He takes a step forward, and then another and my eyes stray from him to the doorway. Landon reaches me and slides his arm around my waist. “Emma Deaton, these are my parents, Carly and Bryan Barker. Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Emma.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. Landon has told us so much about you.” His mom, Carly, steps forward and wraps her arms around both of us, hugging us tightly.
“Let the girl breathe, honey,” his dad, Bryan, says. When his mom steps back, he comes in for a hug as well, just not as tight or nearly as long as his wife’s. “Nice to meet you.” He steps back and turns his attention to his son. He gives him a subtle nod. Had I not been watching I might have missed it.
“What brings you two to town?” Landon asks. He’s all calm and cool standing with his arm around my waist, while I’m freaking out. My hair is piled on my head in a knot, I’m still wearing my work clothes, and I probably smell like wet dog. It was bath day today as we got the animals ready for tomorrow’s event. Not exactly the best way to meet the parents.
“Can we not just drop in on our only son?” his mom asks, smiling.
“You can, but you rarely do,” Landon counters.
“Well, you’re all over the news and social media talking about this adoption event at the shelter. We wanted to come by and support the cause. Turns out we’re killing two birds with one stone and catching your game on Sunday.”
“That’s so nice of you, thank you,” I speak up, and then realize maybe I shouldn’t have.
“Well, you made quite the impression on our son, although we didn’t know that you two were official. Congratulations,” Carly says, then she leans in and whispers, “He left that part out.” Her whisper is more of a quiet voice so that Landon can hear her.