Chapter 5
~ Anelise ~
“Are we heading to the game Friday?”
I rolled my eyes at Markus’s question. Not that I didn’t want to go. For some unknown reason, MaryBeth absolutely loved watching the high school football team. So, when the season starts, we’re at every home game. And depending on where they are for away games, we can sometimes attend those.
I just didn’t want to go this Friday.
Because I knew Troy was going.
And it would only bring up the memories of what he would do while he was in school and Markus was playing on the field. There were plenty of times, as a cheerleader in the stands, I’d see him sneak off with some flavor of the week.
Yes, even in my young years, I couldn’t help but be disgusted. While, at the same time, jealous that it wasn’t me.
“Do we ever not go?” I sassed back, glancing at him over my shoulder. He walked over and leaned against the counter, his arms crossed as he glared back.
“You don’t have to be in a huff, you know.”
“I’m not smartass. But when does my daughter ever say no? She got into it because of you. I should make it your job to take her.”
“As if you don’t enjoy the teams? You yell for the home team just as loudly as she does.”
While I wanted to deny it, I knew I couldn’t. So, instead, I just shoved him, feeling better at least.
“Are we all piling in the truck to head over there?”
“Troy said he’d meet us. He had something to do for his parents before he could leave.”
I was happy I wouldn’t be stuck in the same cab with him. I also didn’t want to think about the other reason that I wasn’t happy; knowing there were skanks he was hooking up with beforehand.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two days later, I sat on the cold bleacher seat, MaryBeth right next to me, her little legs bouncing in sheer joy and excitement.
“She’s going to bring the whole thing down.”
I glanced over at Troy as he walked up the steps, Markus right behind him with snacks and drinks.
“You think you can get her to stop?”
“Why is she all giddy anyway?”
“She loves football,” I told him, pointing to Markus who came up on MaryBeth’s other side.
“Thanks to him and the few times he’d help out the coaching staff, she was hooked.
So, every home game, like clockwork, we’re here.
I don’t think I’ve missed a game since she was almost two.
And even sometimes for practice if we’re slow at the ranch. ”
“She likes football?”
“No, she loves football,” I corrected him, smiling as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Footballs is fun! Loud! Crazy!” she giggled, throwing her hands up in glee. “I going to plays when I older!”
“Oh, you are, young lady?” he said, resting his boot on the seat in front of us and leaning on his leg. “Gonna be like your uncle and throw the ball around?”
“No, I going to runs.”
“She thinks her legs are going to stay little enough so that she’ll be the fastest player on the field,” I told Troy who couldn’t contain his smile.
“I ran last year, mama. The ‘eams let me.”
“They did, baby. In their final home game, the coach let MaryBeth on the field with the kids. They love having her and it was the highlight of her life. They tossed her the ball, which she caught, and had the guys chasing her as she ran it down the field. Come to think of it, there were a couple of guys who were running pretty hard after her and couldn’t quite catch up.
“Anyway, it was endearing, and she was talking about it for weeks. The coaches adore her, and the guys find her to be great moral support. And I’m all for anything that makes her happy.”
“You’re a good mom, Anelise.”
“No, I just want my baby happy and healthy but not spoiled. She might like football, and might even play it when she’s older, but she also likes her nail polish and Barbie dolls. She’s a gal who just enjoys life to the fullest, I guess.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him nod but his gaze was on the field as the team took it. They warmed up while the cheerleaders and the band hyped up the crowd.
“Does she ever ask about her dad? Or do you think about him?”
“No, she doesn’t. At least not now. The hands, my dad, and Markus give her enough male attention to replace a dad. I know it won’t always be the case, but I’ll deal with that later. As for me, nope, he doesn’t cross my mind.
“He was a ranch hand when I was in school. He’d flirt with me, then he asked me out when I graduated. One thing led to another and within a few months, I was pregnant. Asshole didn’t even pick up his last paycheck, that’s how quickly he left town.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, Troy. It was him that missed out on a good thing. MaryBeth is the highlight of my life, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
I glanced over at her, already talking it up with her uncle and I couldn’t help but smile. She was my pride and joy, and I loved her beyond anything.
“Excuse me, I need a walk,” I told him, walking past his legs.
“Sure.”
I rooted for the guys, loved watching the kids play, but right now, I need a moment to myself. Did I think about the asshole?
Yes, I did. More than I should. But it was moments like now, when I knew he’d be proud of her, that I wished he had at least tried to stay in her life.
I walked past the snack bar and then under the bleachers, hearing the people holler for their kids. It would be nice, one day, if MaryBeth did make it on the team. I’d cheer so loudly for her.
“What are you doing down here?”
I turned around, smiling at Troy.
“Told you, taking a breather.”
“I didn’t mean to make it heavy up there.”
“You didn’t, Troy.” He stopped right in front of me, his fingers coming up to push a strand of hair back. “Do you know I used to wish I was one of the ladies you snuck off with to make out with down here?”
“You were too young.”
“Didn’t mean I didn’t wish.”
“Huh.” I cocked a brow at his one simple word but he just grinned. “The kiss the other night was the best I ever had, you know. I’d love a repeat.”
“Here?” I squeaked out.
“Can’t think of a better place, especially if it gets to replace all the bad memories you have with good ones.”
Before I could think, he cupped my cheek while his arm snaked around my waist, and he hauled me up against his body. His lips captured mine in a frenzy that I hadn’t felt before.
This was not like the first kiss.
This had passion.
This had heat.
This had me burning from the inside out.
I clutched onto his shirt, moaning against his lips as my tongue battled his.
This was all new to me. Kissing in public was something I hadn’t done before. But the rush of being caught, the high of being in his arms, and the dream of me being down here was only adding fuel to the flames inside me.
I pressed fully against him, wanting to feel every part of his body that I could. His hand slid down and cupped my ass, pressing me against his jean clad dick and I loved how hard it felt.
To know that I did that to Troy did wonders to a bruised and battered ego.
Hell, I never wanted this kiss to end, but I knew it would. I also knew it made me long for more.
His lips finally pulled away, only to trail down over my neck. His teeth sunk into the side, and I nearly came undone.
Troy’s firm hand on my ass kept me upright, but it didn’t help my problems anymore. He finally lifted his head, his gaze as dazed as mine, and fuck me, he was going to be the perfect kind of trouble I wanted.