Chapter 6
“You don’t know how much I needed a night out. This week has been hell,” I announced.
Amari and Devin, two of our coworkers, invited Montrell, a few other teachers around our age, and me out. Most times, I declined, but today, they could barely get the question out before I agreed.
“We haven’t talked all week because you’ve been going to bed before the sun sets,” Montrell said.
“Because I’ve been tired as hell. I almost reneged tonight, but I need a few strong drinks and some dancing to loud music.”
Lovers and Friends was a restaurant until ten p.m., when it converted into a club. We arrived at about 8:30 to have dinner before we danced the night away.
“I forgot you started that new coaching job. How’s it going?” Amari, one of my coworkers, asked.
“It’s not too much different than coaching high school boys. I’m amazed at how little men mature between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two.”
“That’s crazy, and it has to be annoying, too, because you expect them to act their age,” she said.
“Exactly, but I realized that wouldn’t be the case halfway through the first day of practice.”
We laughed as the server approached to take our drink and appetizer orders.
“Hopefully, it’ll get better as the season progresses. How do they feel about having a woman as their coach?” Devin asked.
I rolled my eyes before responding. “There was a little hiccup with the team captain before we started practice, but he apologized and has been cool ever since. The other players haven’t said anything, but I can tell they’re tempted.
I’m prepared for it to take a few weeks for them to be confident I know what I’m doing, so it’s cool. ”
Our drinks arrived, followed by our appetizers a few minutes later. I tried not to be greedy, but I was starving, which was apparent to everyone.
“Damn, Randi. Did you skip lunch?” Montrell asked.
I nodded. “I got caught up watching film from last year and the time got away from me.”
“Greedy ass.”
We shared another laugh as I showed no shame stuffing my face. Our meal soon arrived, and we continued to converse while enjoying our food. The restaurant stopped taking reservations to begin preparing for the club hours.
By the time we finished eating, the DJ had arrived, and the staff was almost done shifting furniture. I was ready for more drinks and to shake my ass on the dance floor.
“I’m glad you drove because I’m about to get tipsy as hell,” I told Montrell, pulling him to the dancefloor.
“Get tipsy. Shit, you were tipsy two drinks ago,” he responded.
“As long as you know.”
I’d never had a gay or bisexual male friend, but it was the best. Whenever we went out together, the men assumed we were a couple, and I didn’t have to worry about assholes approaching me and trying to spit game.
Thankfully, Devin and Amari didn’t like to dance and were only there for the atmosphere and drinks.
They remained at our table with our things while we danced.
When we returned an hour later, Stephanie and Jenine, two of our other coworkers, had arrived, and they loved dancing.
Montrell remained at the table when I returned to the dancefloor with the ladies behind me.
“You’re the last person I expected to see here,” I heard someone behind me shout above the music.
When I turned around, my night was completely ruined. “Oh, hey.”
“Damn, don’t look so disappointed,” Niko said.
“I wasn’t necessarily expecting to see you either.”
“Well, brace yourself. Leo and Reid are here too.”
“Great. Enjoy your night. See you Monday.”
I tried to walk away, and he grabbed my arm.
“You don’t have to leave on our account. I promise not to bother you anymore, but I thought it would be rude not to speak.”
He released me and walked away.
“Who was that?” Jenine asked.
“One of the players on the team I coach.”
Her eyes widened. “Damn. Do they all look like that?”
“Fortunately not. It’s hard enough being around him.”
“I bet.” She continued to look in his direction, and based on her expression, I imagined she was having explicit thoughts about him. I was surprised by how much that annoyed me.
I attempted to forget Niko's presence for the next two hours but failed miserably.
Every time I looked in his direction, his eyes were on me, and it made me hot and bothered.
Thankfully, the dance floor became crowded, and he was no longer in my line of vision.
However, chills went through my body when a set of hands landed on my waist from behind. Without looking, I knew it was him.
I tried to turn around, but he held me in place, pressing his front against my back. It had been so long since I’d been this close to any man besides Montrell that it sent my hormones into a frenzy. For a few minutes, I allowed myself to forget who we were to each other and got lost in the moment.
The jeans I wore were ripped and exposed my thighs. My rock-hard abs were also on display in my cropped graphic T-shirt. As we danced, his hands moved up and down my thighs several times before he tried his luck and moved them up to my abdomen.
I lifted one of my arms and reached behind me, allowing my hand to caress the back of his head and neck.
It wasn’t until his soft lips caressed the side of my neck, and I felt his facial hair brush against my skin, that I snapped out of it, pushing away from him and moving through the crowd like the building was on fire.
I reached our table and, without a word, grabbed Montrell’s hand and dragged him outside.
“What the hell happened?” he questioned when we got outside.
“I’ll tell you in the car.”
I rushed through the parking lot until I found his car. He unlocked the door, and I quickly got inside.
“Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! What have I done?” I banged on the dashboard of Montrell’s car as I panicked.
“Slow your roll.” He grabbed my arms and held them until I looked at him. “Calm your ass down before you fuck up my shit.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and he released me.
“I fucked up.”
“Tell me what happened. It’s probably not as bad as you think.”
“It’s bad.”
“Randi.”
“Okay! Niko was there.”
“Oh damn. Was that who approached you before I lost you in the crowd?”
“Yes, and I politely sent him on his way. But the next thing I knew, the dance floor was packed, and I felt a set of hands around my waist. I knew it was him and tried to escape, but he held onto me.”
“And?”
“For like, three minutes, I said fuck it, and just let it flow. He felt me up, and I let him and would have probably continued.”
“But?”
“But when I felt his lips on my neck, I came to my senses. I really need to get some dick because I shouldn’t be all hot and bothered by one of my players.”
“I would agree that you need some dick. He might just be the one to give it to you.”
I swung my arm and punched him in the shoulder. “Trell, I cannot fuck that man. Why are you praying on my downfall?”
“Do you have any other prospects?”
“That’s so not the point. I’m sure I’ve already violated some rules in our handbook. I can’t let my lack of sex life ruin this opportunity for me.”
“You’re right, and I’m sorry for encouraging you to do the wrong thing. If you can hold off until the season is over, you can fuck that man with no worries. By May, he will no longer be a student. Can you make it until then?”
“I don’t have a choice. Ugh! I knew I should’ve stayed my ass at home. This is the last time I’m going out with y’all because I can’t risk running into him again outside of practice.”
I didn’t understand why my attraction to Niko was so strong, but I would have to use every ounce of strength to fight it. Lord be with me.