by Mj Fields
“Yours does Zumba, huh?” Miguel asked.
“Yeah she’s an instructor,” Lucas said.
“Weird how they all bust out when one of the songs comes on,” Miguel said.
“Does it happen a lot?” Lucas asked.
“All the time, it’s kind of cool to watch, huh?” Miguel said. “I think the rest of them like it too.”
The song changed.
“Oh shit,” Lucas gasped.
It was Tessa’s last song from the Zumba SU fiasco.
“You know this one?” he asked Miguel.
“No.”
Jessie didn’t either, but she learned it quickly. The other’s tried to keep up. The team mates looked at Miguel and Lucas and smiled. When the song ended Tessa grinned at Lucas as she walked towards them.
”Are you ready?”
“No, she’s not,” Jessie said, “She is going to hang out longer.”
Tessa stuck her tongue out at Lucas and smiled.
“You should have a drink hot stuff,” Tessa said.
“You shouldn’t,” Lucas scowled.
Jessie and Tessa went to the bar and grabbed a glass of wine. They were surrounded by the team and laughing.
Lucas looked at Miguel and asked, “Does that bother you”
“No, she can handle herself, I’m sure your girl can to,” Miguel laughed.
“I don’t know about that,” Lucas watched her do a shot.
“Hey baby,” he said taking her glass from her.
“Hi Lucas,” she said and hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Can we leave now I really would like to...”
Lucas covered her mouth with his hand.
“Tessa, you aren’t whispering baby,” Lucas laughed.
“Oh,” she looked around and shrugged.
“Well can we go please?” She jumped up and down in place.
“Yeah we absolutely can,” he grabbed her hand and waved goodnight. “And we’re getting a room.”
Tessa woke up in the morning and her head hurt. He stood against the wall with a glass of water smiling at her.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like crap,” she groaned.
"Well you were a hit last night," he handed her water and ibuprofen.
“Lucas I’m sorry.”
He laughed, “Do you remember?”
“No nothing after the dancing with Jessie,” she said holding her head in her hands.
“The shots?”
“No, but that certainly explains the headache.”
“And how does that hot ass feel,” he smiled.
“What?”
“You begged for it Tessa, in front of everyone, and when we got up here you wouldn’t take no for an answer. I tried, but you weren’t having it,” he started brushing his teeth.
“We did that?” she asked, and her eyes got red. “You did that to me?”
"You wouldn't leave it alone Baby, and you loved it," he walked back out of the bathroom.
He saw tears in her eyes and laughed, “I’m just joking, don’t cry.”
“Don’t laugh at me,” she said. “Tell me the truth.”
“We came up here after you did a few shots, you undressed me we kissed a lot I laid you down and started to enjoy you down below and you fell asleep, or passed out.”
“While you were…” she asked.
“Yes a little bit of a hit to the ego but yes Tessa, you fell asleep,” he laughed.
“I’m sorry,” she hugged him.
“I am going to take a shower before we go meet everyone for breakfast,” he said.
She joined him, “I feel like crap Lucas, but I want you.”
She knelt in front of him, and he smiled.
After she finished she jumped out of the shower and threw up.
He held her hair back and laughed, “Wow first she falls asleep on me and then she throws up after she has me. “
“Lucas, I’m sorry” she sat back. “What a mess I made of this. “
He ran a bath, and she soaked in it. When she got out she dressed and did her hair she even put on some makeup.
“Wow you look much better.”
"I feel better," she hugged him.
“You hungry?”
“I think I could eat a little.”
~
They went to the restaurant, and everyone was sitting in the dining room. She looked at him, and he smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“Good morning,” he said, and they sat down.
Tessa looked and Jessie and they both giggled. Before they left the lodge they exchanged numbers.
“We’re going to be great friends,” Jessie said, and Tessa smiled.
CHAPTER 22
The season was going well Jessie and Tessa had become good friends. Lucas was playing a little more each game. She went to all the games and when a touchdown was made he still looked at her, and she still smiled.
“You’re a Jet’s fan now, you know?” Lucas reminded her as he watched her getting ready to go to the game.
“I know, but it’s the Cowboy’s Lucas!”
He smiled. Tessa had loved the Cowboys since she was a kid. Danny White was her favorite, and she loved Irving, Smith, Aikman, Sanders.
“You riding with Jessie?”
“I can, or I can take you down now and hang out,” she tried not to smile.
"Alright, but just remember who your favorite quarterback is.”
Tessa and Lucas got there early. She was almost jumping out of her skin, and he was very entertained.
“You know you could,” he looked down.
“This is sacred ground Lucas Links,” she laughed as she looked around taking in her surroundings.
“So is this,” he took her hand and placed it on him.
They found a quiet corner, and she did what he had asked.
“Thank you Baby,” Lucas fixed his pants.
“I can’t believe I just did that here,” she danced around and he laughed.
Lucas had a few pretty perfect passes. One resulted in a touchdown that tied the game. They lost by seven…to the Cowboys.
~
The next game was against the Giants, Tessa’s least favorite team. The game was tied in the second quarter. The starting quarterback was injured, Lucas was put in. He looked for her, and she stood up and whistled. He smiled when he saw her, took a deep breath and ran out onto the field.
The Giants knew his strength was in the passing game. He was well covered. There were only four minutes left of the game and it was 21-21. Lucas looked everywhere from an open receiver, without ant other options he was forced to run the ball down the field. Lucas dove into the end zone. Lucas was in midair when he was hit hard in the end zone, and Tessa watched as he lay on the ground motionless.
Get up she thought, please get up. He didn’t. Tessa stood up and started to move down the bleacher, and Jessie grabbed her hand.
“You can’t go down there Tessa.”
“I have to!” Tessa pulled away panicking.
Miguel looked up and saw them. Jessie looked at him, and he shook his head no and ran out to the field.
“Look Tessa, Miguel is with him. We’ll go down to the locker room. Come on Tessa, keep it together,” Jessie led her through the crowd.
Tessa saw Landon, and his eyes mirrored hers. He followed them down.
They waited just inside the tunnel and watched as they brought Lucas in on a stretcher. She pulled away from Jessie’s grasp and grabbed his hand.
“Wake up Lucas,” she cried “Wake up now!”
The team doctor told her to meet them at the hospital. Landon grabbed her pulling her away.
They walked into the ER, and he was already getting a CT.
Jessie text messaged her,
-please let us know what’s going on when you find out, our prayers are with you… Jessie
She had messages from everyone in her family coming in. She started to cry, and Landon hugged her literally holding her together.
“He’s going to be fine,” Landon’s smile was forced.
Her phone rang, and it was Ryan, she quickly answered it.
“What’s going on Tessa, is he alright?”
“We don’t know anything yet he is in getting a CAT scan,” Tessa cried, “I fucking hate the Giants!”
She heard Lucas chuckle and she looked up, “Ryan he’s awake. I will call you back.”
Tessa grabbed his hands as they wheeled him down the hall. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay Baby,” he kissed her hand.
~
They sat and waited in his very full exam room. Doctors, nurses, coaches, and family surrounded Lucas. The amount of concern and love in the room over whelmed Tessa. She was standing in the back trying to keep her emotions in check.
“Come here, baby,” Lucas smiled.
Tessa made her way past everyone and he patted the stretcher. She sat, and he hugged her.
“I didn’t walk off the field,” he whispered.
“No, but you made the touchdown.”
“The first voice I heard was yours;” he kissed her and laughed, “Saying that you hated the fucking Giants.”
“I do, and now I hate them more,” she said very seriously.
Landon turned on the TV and Lucas watched as his team won by seven. Tessa smiled as she watched Lucas light up with pride.
He winked, “We won by seven baby.”
The doctor came in and told Lucas he had a concussion, a broken rib and a severely damaged tendon in his shoulder. Lucas had to stay overnight for observation and Tessa stayed with him. He didn’t talk all that much he was hurting physically, but worse than that he was angry. His coach came to Landon’s the next day with the sports doctor. They had a plan for his recovery and told him he could probably be back in by the end of the season.
~
Tessa spent a lot of time in New Jersey at Landon’s, and they had planned to marry in July. When she wasn’t at school or in New Jersey she was busy planning her wedding.
-I’m home, and I miss you Lucas…LT
-Baby, you don’t have to be there, I can take care of us, but I know your stubborn ass won’t see that…LL
-My stubborn ass?...LT
-Mmm ass talk again, lol…LL
-naughty boy, maybe a wedding gift will be one that doesn’t cost anything but my dignity, lol…LT
-promises promises…LL
-We shall see…LT
-Really? ….LL
-Probably not, lol! ….LT
-I love you anyways, baby…LL
-You better! In less than eight months, I can change my sign off, your wife Tessa…LT
- Sounds great, I can’t wait. A few of the guys want me to go out tonight, is that okay?…LL
-Yes, have fun. I love you…LT
Tessa sat at the piano and played, she missed Adam’s scrutiny. She wondered if he would play at the wedding, maybe his band could play at the reception. She was nodding off as she sat thinking about everything she needed to do.
Chewy rested his head on her leg and she pet him.
“Mommy and Daddy are getting married soon, Chewy. I have you back, life is good.”
~
The next day Tessa sat down and went through her list of to do’s. Tessa couldn’t get the venue she wanted until September, she had her heart set on it. She realized Lucas had not called her last night and wondered if he was alright.
"Hello," he said quietly.
“Good morning, is everything alright?”
“Yeah why?” he asked.
“You didn’t call me last night.”
“Oh shit I was wasted baby Dad had to come get me, I’m sorry.”
“Okay, what did you do?”
“Promise you won’t get pissed?”
“Okay you're freaking me out Lucas.”
“We went to a strip club, but I didn’t know that’s where we were going Tessa.”
“Oh.”
“You’re mad,” he knew she would be, but his honesty usually earned him points.
“Why did your Dad have to come get you?”
“They were all staying for an after party, I wasn’t interested. I didn’t want the lap dances and whatever else they do, so I called him, are you mad?”
“I guess not,” she said quietly.
“You shouldn’t be, I was very well behaved. I love you.” She was quiet. “Tessa say whatever you want to I know you're mad.”
“Lucas I’ve been planning our wedding,” she started.
“And you’re going to keep planning right?” he asked nervously.
“Yes Lucas, but if I’m going to marry you I should probably be able to trust you.” She heard him let out a breath. “On that note, I called to schedule the place on the Lake, and they have nothing until September, how do you feel about that?”
He was surprised she was even still talking to him. “If that’s what you want baby I’m perfectly fine with it. I love you.”
“You better or all this planning isn’t for nothing, I would like Adam’s band to play at the reception. I haven’t asked him yet, but they’re really good. Is that okay with you?”
“Whatever you want, Tessa,” he laughed.
~
Tessa was working on a new routine, and Chewy was dancing with her. The music was cranked, and she didn’t even notice he came in. Lucas watched her dancing in her underwear and sports bra in front of the wall of windows the sun was setting, and her hair glimmered in its ray. The song stopped.
“Alright Chewy one more time.”
“I don’t think I can watch any more, you look so hot baby” he walked towards her.
She jumped and smiled when she saw him. “Hi.”
"Hi," he grabbed her and held her tightly against him.
“I need a shower.”
“Me too,” he said.
They lay in bed laughing.
“I missed you.”
“I like when you miss me,” she laughed, “It always feels so good.”
~
The next day he left early, and she went to camp. The girls all met there and got things ready for the busy upcoming weekend. Tessa was upset that she wouldn’t be there Sunday… the first in years, but Lucas needed her there whether or not he was playing.
“So ladies I have an announcement to make,” Phoebe said. “Alex and I are going to get married next month!”
In typical female fashion, they all hugged her, laughed, and Tessa even shed tears.
Tessa was over the moon excited.
“A month?” She asked. “How are we going to pull this off?”
“It’s going to be at your church, and the reception will be there too,” Phoebe laughed, “The wedding isn’t what I am excited for. Alex and I don’t want to wait anymore”
“You seriously haven’t had sex?” Jade asked.
“No Jade he is a perfect gentleman. A very frustrated perfect gentleman, but perfect just the same,” Phoebe smiled.
“When will you start trying to give me a niece or nephew?” Tessa asked.
“Probably that night” she laughed. “I’m done with school in May, and well, your brother wants a ton of kids. I think he believes he’s genetically superior to the rest of the world and wants to repopulate it.”
“Well duh,” Tessa and Jade said together.
They ate, sang, and even planned for the now two upcoming nuptials.
“Well, I have to get going Ryan wants to go to bed early tonight, and I do too,” Jade winked, “Phoebe you’ll understand soon enough”
Jade and Cassidy left, and Tessa looked at Phoebe, “You okay future sister in law, current BFF?”
“I’m a little scared of you know… my wedding night,” Phoebe admitted.
“Phoebe it’s not scary, it’s beautiful. I know that’s not what you experienced, but between two people who love each other, it is the most amazing feeling in the world.” Tessa hugged her. “You two can learn that together. My brother is going
to make an amazing husband and father. I’m so happy he met you Phoebe. I feel blessed to have you becoming an official part of my family.”
Tessa looked at the clock it was only nine.
“Man we’re getting old,” she said as they walked out.
“It’s so early,” Phoebe laughed.
“Come up to the house with me and we can do some more planning. They jumped on the four wheeler and rode through the woods and up the field. They sat up until midnight planning and Phoebe stayed the night.
His phone chimed, and it was her,
-Hey hot stuff what are you doing?...YFWT
- What does YFWT mean…LL
-Your future wife silly boy …LT
-Just got home I went out to dinner with Miguel and Jessie, did you have fun at Doe camp?...LL
-I did and guess what; Phoebe and Alex are getting MARRIED in a month!!...LT
-Wow, is she pregnant?...LL
-LOL no but sex has something to do with it. I guess my brother is a bit frustrated. See if we had waited we would have already been married…LT
-Your fault you attacked me remember? …LL
-I remember very well, tell yourself whatever you need to…attacked you, lol…anyway one of the top ten moments of my life…LT
-I think it’s my second…LL
-what’s the first?...LT
-It’ll be in September, when you say I do…LL
-Awe very sweet. I Love you Lucas Links…LT
-I love you baby, I can’t wait for my wedding present, are you home?...LL
-Yes and ready for bed, without you…LT
-I think you should be done with school, and then it won’t have to be like this…LL
-I have one semester left Lucas, and so do you. We can handle this for a few more months right?...LT
-Sure…LL
-Just think wedding night ;) lol, Goodnight Lucas I love you…LT
-I will, love you too baby…LL
CHAPTER 23
Tessa woke and went to the bathroom she looked out the window, and there was an orange glow in the distance. She rubbed her eyes and saw what she thought could be the camp. She threw on a sweatshirt and sweatpants and yelled to Phoebe.
“Call my parents Phoebe, and meet me at camp. I think it’s on fire” she yelled and grabbed the fire extinguisher from the kitchen and one from the garage and jumped on the four wheeler.
