Chapter 22
Randy
I stand in the kitchen leaning against the island while stretching my calf. It’s been giving me some discomfort all week and I really don’t want it to annoy me tonight.
Seth is watching me as he stands near the stove; he looks down briefly, cracking an egg into a bowl. “You like her, don’t you?”
“I like them all.” I wink.
“No, this one’s different. I can tell by that pathetic look on your face,” he remarks, and I can’t help but smile at his words.
He begins to beat the eggs. “Yep, that one. It screams ‘pussy whipped’,” he adds, pointing at me with the egg -covered fork. He stands shirtless after our run to the campus and back. Nothing strenuous, just a small warmup to get ready for today.
I wince when my stretch becomes uncomfortable and relax back into our conversation. “She is different than any other woman I have met. I like spending time with her and honestly, I could see long term with her and I keep thinking that I want to make it official.”
“But?”
“It’s only been a couple of weeks.”
“But?” he pushes.
I sigh. “She has a kid, man. I can’t do that kinda baggage!”
He frowns at me, pouring his egg mixture into the pan. “I don’t think you’re allowed to refer to kids as baggage.”
I try to correct myself but can’t think of the right words. “You know what I mean, it’s a huge responsibility to look after a kid…especially one who’s not mine. I’m only twenty-one. I can’t handle that shit.”
He nods his head in agreement. “True, sometimes I don’t know how you even keep yourself alive.”
That’s a little insulting, but also somewhat true. “Exactly.”
He pushes off the island and I watch his profile as he thinks. “But you like her?”
I sigh, thinking back to a time when I have ever felt this way before—the answer, never, zero, zilch, nada. “Yeah, I do.”
“Why does the kid have to be a negative? What if he is a little champ and just makes the relationship better?”
“Have you ever dated anyone who has a kid?” I ask, already knowing the answer to that.
“No, I haven’t,” he says, flipping his omelet. “But it’s not like you would be the first person to date a woman with a kid.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say, lightly kicking the kitchen island, annoyed with myself. Referring to her son as baggage, what a shitty thing to say.
“Just take it slow, man, figure out how much you actually like her, then maybe in time you will want to meet the kid. If you want my honest opinion?” he says, looking at me from behind the stove.
I nod.
“I think this has nothing to do with Rachel and her son. Sure, it’s a thing, but this time of year you’re under relentless pressure.
The game today is huge. Man, it’s brutal always being under the microscope and analyzed for every little flaw.
It’s been a tough season, and we are so close to the end game.
Take it easy on yourself and stop overthinking. ”
“And any advice for the strip tease?”
Seth shakes his head at me.
“I heard you.” I walk around to Seth and slap him on the back, my cockalorum back in full force. “Look at you being all full of wisdom and shit.” I know he is right because I would do anything for Rachel, even consider being a stepdad.
He looks back at me and my hand on him. “That shoulder will be doing some real damage tonight protecting your ass; don’t forget that, QB.”
I smile. “Are you making me one of those?” I nod toward the perfectly folded omelet he’s just slid onto a plate—knowing full well that whenever I try, I end up with scrambled eggs.
He frowns, then pushes the plate toward me with a grunt.
“Thanks, man,” I say, grinning as he starts cracking more eggs into a bowl. I take a seat at the table and devour the omelet in minutes, while sending off a text.
Me: Do I really need 2 get a spray tan?
After my little vent to Seth, I’m feeling better about Rachel and the future of our relationship. I take my plate to the sink and head upstairs to crank the stereo. Let’s get game day ready!
Me: 2 late now I’m on my way to the stadium; holy shit, this is big.
Me: I’m so nervous.
Me: Hey, can u let me know when u get here?
@ Lukecole: 2day is the day! The day we find out how overrated @RandyHarrisonQB really is! The Raptors don’t have the goods! I’ll bring the popcorn and let’s watch them choke @Cyclonesfootball
#watchhimchoke #notnflmaterial
@raptorsfootball @raptorscollege
#Cycloneschampions
Christian: Ignore him, he is a muthafucka.
Me: Hey, it’s been a few hours, everything ok. U at the stadium?
Me: About 2 run out. Jockstrap is in place.
My pass is on point as it lands in Christian’s hands, and I quickly jerk my head around looking for the familiar brunette in only my jockstrap.
The stadium is large and finding her is like trying to find a virgin at college; yep, nearly impossible.
Not that I want one or ever have. I figure I should never go there…
well, except for my first, but that hardly counts as she took my virginity too.
I just want Rachel, but she isn’t sitting with Shelby and Christian. Where is she?