12. Beyond the Locker Room
Chapter 12
Beyond the Locker Room
Marcus
T he cameras flashed as I entered the stadium in the outfit Mia put together for me.
I was not going to lie, the fabric caressed my skin.
Stepping into the locker room, I strolled to my cubbyhole, catching the attention of Bryce.
He stopped changing, giving me a loaded expression.
“Marcus, I know this isn’t an orange label. Your cheap ass bought some clothes? Damn, you look like a different person,” he said.
Ed stepped beside him and studied my attire.
“You got a woman,” he said and slapped hands with Bryce.
“What?” I questioned as I unloaded my bag.
“Dude, it’s all over you and you down bad,” Ed said, and Bryce co-signed with a head shake.
Before I could defend myself, the coach entered the locker room.
“Dammit, Ed, get rid of those socks,” Coach Owens said, and I held my stomach as I laughed.
“Coach man, those are my lucky socks,” Ed said as he walked to the front of the locker room.
“Dammit, we’re going to be sick. Roundtree, sprays some air freshener,” the Coach instructed as he waved his hand to move the smell.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I removed it to find a message from Mia.
Wifey
Play good and I’ll be bad.
A video of Mia popped on the screen.
I hovered over the play button, and it bounced to her, pulling a vibrator out of her pussy.
I slammed the thread shut and held my heart.
I blew a harsh round of air from my body, catching Bryce’s attention.
“What the hell is going on with you?” Bryce asked with his arms folded.
“Shit,” I whispered.
I sat down and swallowed hard again to regain control of my body.
Mia knew I was nervous about today’s game.
Mackamore was the opposing corner, and I struggled against him in college.
We were the same height and build, making him a formidable opponent.
I watched film the last few days as Mia researched her stats for her show.
When I asked for motivation this morning, I didn’t expect this kind of video.
Right now, I wanted to rub one out instead of playing football.
“This will be a hard week. No off day on Tuesday and we’re traveling to New Orleans on Wednesday. Let’s make it count,” Coach Owens said.
“Make it count,” we all chanted.
I pulled out my phone, shielding the screen with my body.
Me
You been holding out
It took her a few minutes to respond, stalling me from getting dressed.
Wifey
Touchdowns equal toys.
I propped one hand against the locker to compose myself.
My mind pushed my football plays to the back burner, replacing it with thoughts of Mia’s creaming middle.
“Marcus!” Bryce yelled, and I snapped out of my thoughts.
“Yea, I’m cool,” I said as I surveyed the room to refocus on football.
Standing in the tunnel before the team introduction, I found Bryce’s eyes behind his football helmet.
“I need two touchdowns,” I said.
With his hands cuffed in the neck of the uniform, he chuckled.
“Marcus, I don’t know what the hell is going on with you today, but get open.”
We were on New England’s thirty and we needed a touchdown.
Mackamore had locked me up most of the game.
Bryce and the offensive coordinator came up with a play to get me some separation.
“Cup Cakes, Janet’s house, Silent Night. Hike,” Bryce said.
I pushed off the line of scrimmage, running up the middle on a slant.
Mackamore was on me until I did a double move, and he ran past me.
The end zone was wide open.
I searched for the ball as it spun beautifully in the air and right into my hands.
The cannons sounded and the crowd erupted, doing the body roll dance with me.
By the end of the game, I had three touchdowns.
New England made a fourth quarter run and Bryce and I went to work on the routes.
They couldn’t stop our connections.
While everyone else played around in the locker room, I packed my bag to get home.
Mia had made me promises, and I wanted all of them.
Walking through the exit, I held the door open for Mrs.
Stedman and I figured pay back was on the menu.
“Good game, Marcus. The connection you and Bryce have is amazing. Do you think you could talk to the coach about my husband?” she asked.
“I’m still new. Who are you and who is your husband?” I asked as I held the door with my body.
“Sorry, you didn’t come to our annual welcome back party. I’m Allison Stedman,” she said and extended her hand.
“Ma’am, stop trying to sneak inside the building. You are not Stedman’s wife,” I said.
“We’ve been married for ten years,” she said and flashed her ring.
I bunched my brows together before I gave the dagger.
“Whoa, let me go,” I said, but she grabbed my arm.
“Mrs. Stedman, I don’t want to get into anyone else’s business,” I said.
“Too late,” she responded with flared nostrils.
I dropped my shoulders to sell my performance.
“He introduced me to a woman with honey blonde hair and a rose tattoo on her shoulder. They were kissing in the parking lot. He called her his wife,” I said.
We stood silent as she put on her poker face.
“Thank you, Marcus,” she said and rushed inside the building.
Check mate.
Sitting in traffic, I replayed Mia’s video of her sticking the vibrator in and out of her pussy before the phone vibrated.
“What’s up, Bryce?” I answered on speaker phone.
“Man, what the fuck did you do?” he asked between hard chuckles.
I knew by now, Stedman’s wife was on the phone with the divorce attorney.
“Stedman and Vick on the hunt for your ass.”
“Damn, I left too early,” I said and snapped my fingers.
A few car horns sounded off as we motioned forward in our lane.
“This grown man in the locker room crying. She told him about y’all conversation.”
“Shit, wrong woman, you know how it goes,” I said.
Bryce’s hard laughter returned.
“Remind me to stay on your good side. Coach will be giving a long ass speech in the morning. Be ready. Stedman gon’ try to kick your ass.”
“And his wife will get pictures. Tell Vick to control his guard dog and I’ll keep my pictures in my damn phone. In the hood, he would’ve gotten a hot one for grabbing on me. I’m not his bitch,” I said.
“Marcus, I wonder who you are sometimes. I will see you in the morning. Meet me by my car,” he demanded, and we hung up.
I kissed my daughter, and she squirmed, but she never woke.
Shutting off her light, I went on the hunt for what was mine.
Opening the bedroom door, Mia was dressed as a maid, posing seductively as she leaned against the dresser.
“Fuckkkk,” I sang.
The black uniform stopped above her ass.
In her right hand, she held a feather duster.
“Mr. Allen, I’m sorry I couldn’t get the house clean. The day kinda got away from me,” Mia said in a softer tone.
I dropped my bag by the door and scanned her, captivated as she twirled the duster in her hand.
“I’ll be out of your way in five minutes,” she said.
My dick pressed hard to be released as I approached the maid.
“Did Wifey leave any other instructions?” I asked as I hovered over her.
Mia danced the feathers across the dresser slowly.
“She said not to leave until you’re fucking happy,” she said.
I swallowed hard.
I knew what I wanted to do, and it wasn’t making love.
Eyeing the folded shirts on the bed, I tossed them to the floor.
“Clean this shit up,” I instructed with my hand, and she gave me sad, pleading eyes.
Mia turned around and bent over, exposing her bare ass.
I unzipped my pants and pulled out my hard dick.
“Bed,” I instructed as she faced me again.
“Make me,” she challenged and tried side-stepping me.
I secured her elbow and twisted her toward the bed and smacked her ass cheek.
“Mr. Allen,” she gave a fake gasp as she glared back at me.
“Mia said make me fucking happy,” I reminded, raising one brow before she willingly hunched over the bed.
She made sure to swipe her bare ass across my dick.
“Yes, sir,” she whispered, and I smacked her ass again, making her shiver before I entered her wet opening.
As she tightened her walls to hug my dick, I growled.
“I’ll have to leave you a tip.”
The sound of skin slapping bounced around the room.
I held no intention of stopping anytime soon.
The maid was going to earn her salary tonight.
I replayed meeting the maid last night as I ended my morning run.
Shit, this roleplay and costume shit is something I could get with.
Stepping into the bedroom, I glimpsed at Mia in a pair of tight ass leggings and paused.
The circle print appeared to be painted on her skin.
I folded my arms as I stood by the bedroom door.
“Mia, where are you going in those tight ass leggings?” I questioned.
She turned from my dresser and cackled.
“To take Harley to school,” she said, and spritzed some kind of body mist on her skin.
“Nah, not dressed in those leggings. And why do you need body mist to stay in a car?” I questioned.
Mia placed one hand on her hip as she contorted her face.
“Marcus, I’m taking Harley to school and I’m coming back. I slipped on these leggings because they are easy to put on.”
“You have never worn leggings before,” I stated, and she licked her lips.
“Marcus, I’m wearing the leggings. Now, what’s next?” she pushed back on me.
Heat rushed through my core at the thought of somebody getting a glimpse of my future wife.
She was a damn plus-sized goddess.
“Wait for me, I’m going,” I said.
Mia tossed her hands in the air.
“Why?” she questioned.
“Why? Do you see your ass in those leggings? Nah, you can’t wear those unless I’m with you.”
Mia pinched the bridge of her nose as I kissed her temple and pulled her toward the bathroom.
I needed some assurance she wasn’t going to leave me and take Harley to school, anyway.
“Marcus, you made Harley late for school for no reason,” Mia said into my earpiece.
When she got home, I pulled those leggings off her body and tossed them into my backseat.
She had an attitude that I didn’t have time to adjust before I left.
“I apologized to her, and she was okay with it,” I said.
“You’re her dad. Of course, she is not going to disagree with you.” Mia hit back.
“Say what you want to say,” I encouraged because this argument wasn’t about Harley; it was about her wanting to keep those leggings.
“Marcus, I want my two-hundred-dollar leggings back!” she yelled on the phone.
I pulled into the stadium parking lot and found Bryce angled against his car.
“Mia, you know I’m not going for you wearing those.”
When the phone went silent, I parked and dialed her back.
“What!” she yelled.
“Mia,” I said in a low authoritative tone and a pause stood between us.
“Ughhh. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have hung up,” she said softer.
“And what else,” I pushed.
“I shouldn’t have yelled,” she said.
I paused for a minute and smiled.
“You gon’ give me a better apology later. Understand?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Have a good day,” I said, and we hung up properly.
Stepping out of the car, Bryce chuckled.
“Trouble in paradise.”
I smacked hands with him.
“I came into the room and Mia got on body paint. She tried to pass it off as if they were leggings. Ass hugging every crease. I put them in my back seat,” I said.
“Kindness tried the same play with her sundress. Ass eating the dress,” Bryce said as we strutted into the training facility.
“Then had the nerve to get mad. Football practice saved her from giving a proper response.”
Bryce and I talked as we walked into the locker room to find everyone standing at their stations.
Vick and Stedman’s lockers were visibly empty.
Eyes danced around the room as if they were expecting something to go down.
The doors boomed open, and Stedman entered the room.
We made eye contact, and I danced my brows.
He came rushing toward me as I dropped my bag.
“Marcus, I’m kicking yo ass for the bullshit you pulled. You fuckin’ with my happy home because you can’t stop riding Bryce’s dick,” he said.
I turned to Bryce.
“It appears I’m riding your dick because I stand on principles,” I said.
Bryce chuckled at my comment.
I stood at my locker with my arms folded as the team tried to hold Stedman back.
He wasn’t gon’ do shit but bark, per usual.
“Stedman, chill out. You know Bryce is behind this bullshit,” Vick said with his hands planted in his chest.
I peered over at Bryce and performed my signature shrug.
Life had been hell for Stedman since he lost his starting position.
Now I rocked his family’s home life.
“This isn’t over, Marcus,” Stedman said as he yanked away from a teammate.
Vick took it upon himself to approach me and I remained in my position.
The locker room quieted down to be nosey.
He entered my personal space, and I smirked.
“What you did was fucked up. His wife is trying to divorce him and take the kids. Breaking up a home is all right to you?” Vick said.
“Right message, wrong messenger,” I said, and Bryce burst into laughter.
Vick bit down on his bottom lip as he backed away.
I yelled after him, “Have they thought about marriage counseling?”
“Damnnnn, you cold, Marcus,” Keyshawn said.
Vick rocked his head up and down before pushing open the door to exit.
Disrespect and bullying would always bring out the dog in me.
Mia
Four weeks later
“Mia,” Dr.
Choice said as I entered his office.
He stood from behind his desk and moved to the couch.
“Hello, Dr. Choice, how are you? It’s been a while,” I acknowledged.
With Granny being gone, my podcast taking off, and my new relationship, my time had been stretched thin.
I’d rescheduled three times already, but I made it a point to show up today.
I folded my dress and secured my seat on the purple couch.
“Let’s open with good news,” he said.
I bunched my shoulders upward and cleared my throat.
“I’m in a relationship with a football player and he has a seven-year old daughter I adore. I moved in with him after knowing him for two weeks. He gave me the power of attorney papers for Harley to show his commitment. And we explore sexually,” I blurted in one sentence and then covered my face with his pillow.
“Okay, you said a mouthful. Breathe and let’s explore,” he said in a smooth, non-judgmental tone.
I removed the pillow, ready to defend my decisions.
“Tell me about him,” he asked and I bounced my shoulders with a satisfied smile.
“A sweetheart. A complete sweetheart. He trusts me with his precious gift, and he values my decisions, eats my cooking, gives the best kisses, insists on paying. As a woman, he validates me, and my feminine energy has been unlocked. And the sex. He never says no. I tap his shoulder. He rolls over and takes care of me.”
I danced my feet around in the circle as my mind traveled back to the last bathroom adventure.
With my thumb, I ran the charm side to side on my chain.
“Mia,” Dr.
Choice called.
“Sorry, what was I saying?” I questioned.
Dr.
Choice chuckled at my question as he placed down his tablet.
He straightened his tie as he smiled back at me.
“Do you have any concerns we should explore?” he asked.
I inhaled my cheeks and blew out a hard breath.
“Marcus has dealt with quite a bit of abandonment. His mother left him, and the daughter’s mom left him with full custody. His maternal grandparents raised him. From what he tells me and what I’ve seen, they loved him and his daughter, Harley. Two weeks ago, his granny, Mrs. Eddy called telling him her plan to stay until after the holidays and he was upset. He told her he was coming to get her and skip the game this week. After he calmed down, he called her back and apologized and cried half the night.”
“Does he follow you around or have a tendency to be clingy?” Dr.
Choice asked, and I paused before I answered.
Strolling through my memories, Marcus is always in the room with me.
We take showers together; he sits and lays underneath me.
Because I’d been attention starved by men, I craved affection, and Marcus had no problem giving it.
“Yeaaaa,” I said in a faded tone.
“Is he smothering you?” he questioned.
“No,” I said.
“And your relationship with his daughter?” he asked, crossing his legs.
“I love Harley, but I’ve created clear boundaries. I won’t allow her to call me mom and I don’t make long-term promises.”
I also told Dr.
Choice about Marcus expressing he didn’t deserve the new clothes.
“I can’t diagnose without meeting him. I can tell you some typical things people who have been abandoned may demonstrate. He can be possessive out of fear of losing people, which he demonstrated with his grandmother. He will need affirmations and a firm hand from you, Mia. Set boundaries, but explain why. Do you think you can get him in for an appointment?” Dr.
Choice asked, and I shook my head yes.
“All right, we have twenty minutes left. Tell me about Mia. What are your thoughts about embarking on this new relationship?” he asked.
I danced my head from side to side, and a smile dressed my face.
“I’m scared at times. I take it day by day, but I want it. When I play the comparison game, which I shouldn’t, Marcus has become a safe place for me. He does thoughtful things. This morning, he left a rose on my windshield. It’s important to him that I’m appreciated and not taken for granted. My soul warms at just the thought of him. I’m going for it, Dr. Choice. When I made calculated choices, I dated manipulative men. Please don’t tell me to break up with him,” I said and tilted my head back, ready to hear his advice.
“As long as Mia is emotionally, physically and financially safe, he’s a good catch. But, you have to continue to do the work,” he said.
I released a nervous breath, loosening the tightness of my chest.
Lying in bed with my laptop, I chuckled at the little snores escaping Harley’s mouth.
Marcus weighed heavy on my mind from my earlier conversation with Dr.
Choice.
My thumb danced over his name, and I pushed the button after seeing it was a little after nine.
His chocolate face appeared on the phone, but his eyes held no youthful joy.
“Baby, talk to me,” I requested.
He danced his eyes around the room before they returned to me.
“Marcusssss,” I sang, and he showed me his white teeth.
“Let it out,” I requested.
“I’m worried about Granny. She was supposed to come home. I let her go to Arkansas and it's been four weeks now. She thinks she lives there,” he said.
Marcus removed his hand from behind his head and I remained quiet.
“She already forgot me and Harley need her here,” he said.
Pouting because his grandmother decided to spend the holidays in Arkansas pulled at my heartstrings.
“Baby, your Mrs. Eddy hasn’t forgotten about you. She calls you every day. More than you and Harley love her, Marcus. Allow them some holidays, too,” I said.
He scoffed at my statement, and I wanted to kiss him through the phone.
“In a few weeks, she will be home, and it will be Christmas. You can smother her with all the hugs and kisses you want,” I said.
Marcus wasn’t trying to accept my words of logic. He wanted to control the situation by having Mrs. Eddy back in his possession.
“Get some rest and focus on the game,” I said and blew him a kiss.
After we hung up, I knew what I needed to do and called Kindness.
“Hey, night owl,” she said.
“Bestie, can you get me the details of the team hotel? Can me, Harley, and my parents sit in the box with you guys?” I said.
“Sure, I’ll add you a room to the team account.”
“Can you make it two rooms? Mom and Dad are going to want to come as well,” I said.
I knew when I requested to use Daddy’s jet; he was going to ask why and then invite himself along.
“Mia and Marcus,” Kindness said in an inquisitive manner.
She always had a way of prying a secret out of me, but I held the advantage with us being over the phone.
“Don’t you start,” I warned as I giggled.
“Oh, we have four-quarters to talk in New Orleans,” she said.
“Goodbye, friend. Thank you for the hookup,” I said, and she giggled as we hung up.
I emailed Harley’s teacher, letting her know she will not be at school for the next two days. Kindness messaged me the information about the hotel, including his room number and two additional rooms. After a careful search, I found a gift basket company and placed a rush order with custom items for Marcus. I didn’t add his name for privacy and scheduled it to be delivered to the front desk.
“Okay, Mom. We are almost ready. I love you, too. Bye,” I said as I walked down the hall.
Mom and Dad invited themselves to the game after I called them this morning. They all of a sudden didn’t have any plans for this Thursday night. I didn’t argue, but instead, I prepared for them to come along.
“Harley, are you ready?” I said as I tapped her bedroom door.
With her back facing me, she zipped her backpack but turned with unsettling, sad eyes.
“Ms. Mia, are you sure Daddy won’t get mad about me missing two days of school?” she asked.
Kneeling, I took her hands. “No, because as an adult, I made the decision to pull you out of school. Daddy will not be mad and if he does, I will tickle him,” I said and tickled her rib cage.
The laughter escaping her mouth brought the lighthearted atmosphere back into the room. I could tell Marcus wasn’t himself last night on the phone. Regardless of the affirmations, the sadness in his eyes remained. I knew going to the game was the right decision.
“Our car is outside,” I said, and Harley popped on her sunglasses.
I suppressed my laughter as we walked to the front door with our rolling luggage. As the driver pulled into the private airstrip, I received the delivery confirmation for the feel better basket I sent him. It pays to know the owner of the team.
“Ms. Mia, where is the line?” Harley asked as we walked toward the plane steps.
“We are flying private. There are no lines.”
“Private?” she questioned, and I smiled.
Stopping in front of the steps, I kneeled. “My daddy owns this plane, and we are hitching a ride with him.”
Harley’s mouth parted as her head motioned from side to side, taking in the size of the plane.
“Wow,” she said.
“Flying private means only the people who are invited can fly on the plane,” I said.
“Harley,” my mother said from the top of the steps.
At the mention of her name, Harley giggled at my mother. For some reason, she found her funny, but she wouldn’t tell me why. I helped her up the steps and right into my mother’s arms.
Stepping inside, I followed Mom and Harley to the back. My father sat in the plush cream leather seats, scrolling through his phone. I leaned in and kissed his cheek, and he smiled. Dropping my carry-on bag, I sat facing the back of the plane to keep an eye on Harley. Dad gave the attendant the okay with a hand gesture to prepare to leave.
“I’ve been practicing, Mrs. Robinson. Do you want to see?” Harley said.
I watched Harley try to stand on her tiptoes and sing. My parents clapped as if she had put on a full performance. The happiness on their faces brought me some sadness. They could’ve had a grandchild by now if I hadn’t wasted time on Nathan’s cheating ass. My phone vibrated, pulling a giggle from me.
Marcus
I know you love me.
Me
How do you know?
Marcus
This basket got everything. Baby, you got my water, gummy bears, and cheese puffs. Downstairs, they wanted four dollars for my water. Water is supposed to be free, anyway.
I tilted my head back against the seat before I chuckled.
Me
Did it cheer you up?
Marcus
Yes
Me
Baby, focus on the game. I’ll be cheering for you.
Marcus
Why is your location off?
Shit. He does check my location.
Me
My phone has been acting crazy all day.
Marcus
Use the card and buy a new one. I take care of you.
Marcus
But I need the locator back on by the time this game is finished.
Me
Yes, baby. Now focus.
Harley and Mom had to settle for shopping in the gift shop before the game. With Daddy talking to Doug Jordan, it left me at the mercy of Kindness. We sat in my parents’ hotel suite, waiting for everyone to get together.
“You might as well tell me the tea,” Kindness said, as she sipped on a bottle of water.
“There is nothing to tell,” I lied as I sucked my teeth.
Kindness tilted her head and protruded her lips together, and I dropped my head.
“Wait, what’s up with you and Bryce while you’re all in my business?” I questioned, and she paused me with her hand.
“We’re talking about Mia and Marcus. Friend, give him a chance. It’s clear you are into him. Get your feet wet again,” she said and bounced her brows.
My mouth flew open at her comment because we were beyond getting our feet wet. The man had videos of me on his phone.
“Kindness, give me your honest opinion about Marcus?” I asked as I tapped her leg.
As team owner, she had the non-public information. During the draft season, it isn’t uncommon for teams to hire private investigators. They first try to dig up dirt on you to get ahead of scandals.
“Professionally, Marcus is who he appears. Honest, quiet, and unintentionally funny. The connection he has with Bryce is genuine. On a personal level, he appears guarded. Outside of Bryce, I’ve never seen him talking to anyone for longer than five minutes. My investigator file said he was the shortest background check he had ever performed. No real friends and few relatives. His quarterback at Ohio couldn’t tell you his favorite color. I wouldn’t take it for granted that he allowed you into his circle,” she said.
I played around with her words as I reflected back to Ms. Eddy. She also alluded to him being guarded, but I’d never experienced that version of him. When we met, he came on to me pretty strong and he’s always been straightforward about what he desired. He was light years ahead of me with his plans for marriage and family, but he stood in his honesty.
“Marcus talks my ear off, and he has a brilliant mind. Maybe I am important,” I said.
Kindness tilted her head at me. “I would say you are important to him. You have his daughter. And I’m not buying you’re just helping him out,” she said.
“Kindness, are you serious?” I questioned.
“Own your healing journey. Sex is a stress reliever,” she said and placed a card in my hand with Marcus’s room number.
The Kindness today isn’t the one who moved off to college. After seeing her face bruised and her soul damaged, we grew closer. Kindness went overseas in search of healing. I have a mountain of postcards from the places she visited. When she returned, she and Stacie laid in bed with me as I cried about Nathan. They drove me to therapy and fed me on the days I didn’t have the strength.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
With our passes hanging around our necks, Harley and I made our way to the sideline, standing right behind the yellow line in our matching jerseys. The team was warming up as I scanned the field in search of number twelve. He was standing a few inches from Bryce.
“Harley, there is Daddy. Let’s wave at him.”
We moved our hands frantically to get his attention until he focused in on our side. Marcus removed his helmet to confirm it was us and sprinted to our side of the field. The smile on his face melted my heart into liquid joy.
He lowered his head and kissed my cheek, afterwards lifting Harley in the air.
“Surprise, Daddy,” Harley said, and he tickled her.
“Baby, what are you doing here?” he asked me as he pulled me in for a kiss.
“Ugh,” Harley said, and we both chuckled.
Marcus placed Harley back on the ground next to me. “We wanted to support you. This has been a long week. I hope you don’t mind me pulling her out of school for two days.”
“No, Mia, I trust your decisions when it comes to Harley,” he said.
I pulled Marcus in for another hug, gazing into his eyes. “Remember, I take care of you,” I said.
From the intensity in his eyes, I knew he needed to see us here tonight for the game. He hugged me one last time, but I prevented his attempt to separate. “If you have a good game, I’m going to remove the saliva from your mouth through the tip of your dick,” I whispered in his ear and stepped backward.
Marcus dropped his head and blew a hard, thoughtful breath. “We have to get married,” he said, and I laughed.