Chapter 21
“Calil? What are you doing here?” I was shocked when my doorbell rang and even more shocked when I saw Calil on my porch and not Roy as I thought.
I changed the locks so Roy couldn’t just come and go as he pleased.
“Apparently, something is wrong with your phone.”
“There is nothing wrong with my phone,” I responded, stepping onto the porch. The boys were here, and I didn’t want them to see Calil.
He scoffed. “It sure seems like it since I’ve been texting and calling you, and you haven’t been answering my calls, so clearly there’s something wrong with it.”
Even though I tried not to show it, I couldn’t hide the fact that heat rose to my cheeks. He looked concerned, and I felt bad that I had been ignoring his calls. I just needed a minute to myself.
“I’m sorry, Calil. It’s just been a lot going on.”
I walked over and sat on the swing seat on the porch, and Calil joined me.
His cologne and natural scent infiltrated my nose, and God, I missed him.
His locs were in a messy ball on top of his head, and he looked exhausted.
I knew he had a game and that they lost, which made me more surprised he was on my porch.
“Was it so hard for you to tell me that?”
My heart broke at the sadness in his voice.
“I didn’t know how.”
“Easy. Hey, Lil, I need a little space. Simple, and I would have given you that. For you to just ignore me hurt me, Sloan. Like, for real. I fucked up earlier, and we lost our game.” He looked down at his feet as he moved them back and forth.
Did he lose because of me? That couldn’t have been the case. He did look like he wanted to be anywhere but at that game, but I didn’t think it was because I hadn’t returned his calls.
“I saw the game. What happened?”
Calil lifted his head and looked at me. “You, Sloan. You happened. After all these years, I finally got a chance to make things right with you, and you disappeared on me. It made me feel like I had done something wrong, or you went back to your husband.” He paused and bunched his eyebrows together.
“You didn’t go back to your husband, did you? ”
I scrunched my face up. “Hell no!”
“What happened then?”
I took a deep breath and told Calil what happened the day he dropped me off. “I just didn’t want him to start some bullshit with you. You have an image and career to protect, and I felt like I was protecting you from my mess.”
Calil turned his whole body to face me and grabbed my hands, which were fiddling with the bottom of my shirt.
“Sloan, I appreciate what you tried to do, but baby, let me be the one to protect us. He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
Calil probably didn’t realize he squeezed my hand when he asked the question. I shook my head.
“Good. I’m pissed that you didn’t tell me he was here. I know his children are here, and you guys have to co-parent, but I don’t like the idea of him having access to you like that.”
“I changed the locks and made it clear that he needs to call before he comes over.”
“That’s good. I hate that you felt you had to go through that alone. I will never try to take his place, but you and those boys are my priority. Over the last week or so, I’ve realized I had fallen in love with you again, Sloan.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.
“Calil, I’ve realized I had fallen hard for you, too. It’s like everything I felt back when we dated before came back but even stronger. I know I said I needed time, but I don’t want to spend any more time apart from you. And I definitely don’t need you messing up any more games,” I teased.
“Nah, we can’t have that.” Calil laughed. “Speaking of games. When are you coming to the next one? I would love for you to be there. You’ve been my good luck charm.”
I sucked my teeth and rolled my eyes. “You were doing fine before me.”
“I was, but I’ve been better since you’ve been back.”
I didn’t answer when I would go to the next one because I wasn’t sure.
My heart swelled when he smiled at me. I really did miss him, and I knew after the second day of us not talking that my feelings for him were deeper than I thought, but I wanted to give myself time. Some people may think I moved on too fast, but to me, it was the perfect timing.
“From here on out, Sloan, we are a team. When something is wrong, let me know, and I’ll fix it.
If I can’t fix it myself, I will find a way.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your ex, the kids, or some random person on the streets.
We are in this together. I’ve got you covered from all angles.
I know I have an image to protect, but I’ll do what I need to do to protect us even more.
When I said you are going to be my wife, I didn’t say it just to hear myself talk.
I meant that shit. For now, though, will you be my girlfriend? ”
My heart soared, and butterflies took flight in my stomach.
Calil gave me the same wide and cute grin he gave me when he asked back in high school.
For a second, I remembered that day, but I also remembered that we weren’t those young kids anymore.
We were adults with real lives, and I was a real mother with kids.
I knew the kids would be okay with me dating Calil.
At least, I hoped so. It was one thing for him to be their favorite player, but it was something else for him to be dating their mother.
I would have to talk with them soon about all of this.
I giggled when Calil leaned over and kissed my neck.
“Answer me, pretty girl.”
The low timbre of his voice sent goosebumps all over my body.
“Yes, Calil,” I moaned when he licked my ear.
He chuckled when I pushed him away.
“My bad. You smell so damn good. Are the boys inside?”
“Yes, they are. I’m surprised they didn’t try to find out who was at the door, but knowing them, they are probably playing their games.”
“I didn’t mean to pop up like that, but I didn’t know what else to do. I won’t do that again, though, because this is their house as well, and I respect them. Let me know if you want to bring them to the game with you. If not, I still want to see your pretty ass sitting courtside.”
Calil and I needed time to catch up, so I would probably go by myself or see if Kendyll wanted to go with me since she couldn’t make it the last time.
“Okay.”
“I’m going to get out of here because I can rest now that I got my girl, and I have to get up early tomorrow. Coach is making me report to practice an hour early before anyone else.”
“Damn,” I said and shook my head. “Get it together, Coop.”
Calil stood and pulled me up with him. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me.
“I’m going to get it together. You want to do something special for me if I win the game?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I looked up to the sky and thought about it.
“I will, but I won’t tell you what it is.” I smirked. I had no clue as to what I would do, but I would figure something out.
“Bet. Watch me score like sixty points. I’ll call you when I get home so that sexy ass voice can put me to sleep.”
“I like that idea.” I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his.
He opened his mouth when I swiped my tongue over his bottom lip. We kissed heavily before Calil pulled away.
“Don’t start no shit, Sloan. Get in the house.”
“I love you, Lil.”
“I love you, too, pretty girl.”
We kissed again, and Calil popped me on my ass when I turned around. I entered the house, looked out the window, and watched him walk to his car.
I wasn’t sure how everyone would react to me dating Calil, but I would be good as long as my boys were good.
Life was too short to worry about others.
My divorce was now final because Roy didn’t fight me on it, and we agreed on me keeping the house.
As long as he had access to the boys, he was okay.
He had gotten over his little attitude from the last time he was here. He didn’t have a choice anyway.
There was still a little nervousness about dating Calil, but not enough to stop me.
After I locked up the house, I went upstairs to prepare for bed. I wanted to be settled by the time my man called me. I smiled to myself as I stared in the mirror. I was happy and prayed it stayed that way.