Chapter 6
That Saturday . . .
The sounds of pads slapping and Coach Sumlin’s booming voice around the practice grounds should be able to cause me to be in tune with my surroundings and engaged with what’s going on.
Yet, amid the noise, I can only focus on the steady rhythm of my breaths.
Standing on the edge of the field with my eyes razor-sharp while lining up against one of our receivers, I’m ready for the next play.
My eyes are fixed on our quarterback, Jaelon, waiting for the snap, and I’m ready to chase down the ball.
Practice is winding down, and I can’t shake the feeling that something, someone is missing.
For a split second, I take my eyes off my opponent and scan the stands before my eyes zero in on her, my bookstore future bae.
Kyelle’s mahogany skin glows under the sun’s rays, and her prominent smile—bright and easy makes my chest tighten with a foreign feeling.
Unlike me, Kyelle appears cool as a cucumber, but there’s something in the way she’s looking at me that has my heart racing, even while awaiting this next drill.
The whistle blows, and I shoot off the line with quick feet as my eyes lock on the receiver.
My mind is torn between the play and wandering back to Kyelle.
I’m trying to focus on the play, but the thought of Kyelle being in the stands has me feeling like I’m running more than the ball.
Reaching up, I snatch the ball out of the receiver’s hands making a beautiful interception. My heart leaps when I look toward the stands to see Kyelle on her feet, clapping with a broad smile that brightens her face.
“Nice play,” Kyelle shouts, and her words hit me like a boomerang as my chest swells.
Tapping the football against my hip twice, I point it toward Kyelle, returning her easy smile.
“Quit showing off, nigga. We still have a few plays to go.” Rickey runs up, snatching the ball from my hands before running back to the line of scrimmage.
If I were a lighter shade, my face would be red from Rickey calling me out because I had been trying to impress Kyelle. A smirk slides into place as I follow Rickey back to the line when Jaelon taunts me.
“Damn, I guess Mica won’t be the only female you’re showboating for this season, my guy. I’m glad my days of showing off for pussy are over.” Jaelon smirks.
“Nigga, you tried it. You nearly twisted your ankle last season trying to show LeKendra how smooth on the field you are,” I say, laughing.
“Playtime is over. Stop bullshitting and run these plays.” Coach Sumlin’s booming voice ends the conversation between Jaelon and me as the other guys laugh heartily.
My eyes return to the stands, and the sight of some random guy talking to Kyelle spikes my body temperature, causing me to grimace.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Who is thick ma to you? If you’re already territorial, I’m gonna need an introduction after practice,” Rickey says beside me, forcing me to shift my gaze from Kyelle and the unknown man.
“That’s wifey.” The two-word declaration falls from my lips without hesitation or permission, and a low chuckle escapes my mouth upon seeing Rickey’s eyes balloon.
The sound of the whistle blows one last time, signaling the end of practice much to my delight.
It’s been a great and productive practice, but I’m more interested in the aftermath of mingling with my teammates and the people in attendance, .
. . primarily Kyelle. Searching the stands, I zero in on the crowd of gathering people, looking for Kyelle in the sea of onlookers.
Like a moth to a flame, I’m able to spot Kyelle immediately.
Knowing that Kyelle is only here to support me has my heart jumping and leaping in my chest. With Mica not feeling well, no one is here for me which makes Kyelle’s support welcome.
Jogging off the field, I toss my helmet on the bench before moving toward Kyelle, my eyes lighting up with every step. My grin is effortless as if the whole world is fading away, and I will be fine as long as Kyelle remains present.
“What’s up, big head?” A smirk slides into place as I bump Kyelle after sitting beside her.
Pulling off my sweaty shirt, my eyes connect with Kyelle as her brow raises, and a hint of a smile upturns her lips. “You aren’t even a little tired after running up and down the field.”
Shrugging, I lean against the metal frame, assessing Kyelle from head to toe . . . purple blouse, black slacks, and a pair of black open-toe heels. Kyelle’s hair is pulled into a low ponytail that sways with every move she makes.
“Do you want to go keep me company while the trainer stretches me out since you’re concerned with how I’m feeling?” Hiking my brows, I smirk at the wonderment and curiosity in Kyelle’s eyes, making me wish I could read minds.
“Uh, you have a trainer stretch you after practice?” The hiking of Kyelle’s brows and wrinkles spreading on her forehead gives me the context of those two words.
“Mhm. I’m all about proper recovery, and with you in the vicinity, I’ll have someone worthy of passing the time with.”
“Right. Here I thought you were naturally gifted when all along you’ve been cheating the system.”
My eyes narrow playfully while looking at Kyelle. “I mean, I am gifted in more ways than one . . . naturally.”
“Oh, you’re humble too, huh?” Kyelle says, rolling her eyes playfully.
Chuckling, I allow a moment of comfortable silence between us as various conversations take place around us.
“Where’s your girl? I thought she was excited about coming today.”
“Oh, she left to mingle with some of the bachelors on your team. I’m sure she’ll turn up soon enough,” Kyelle says nonchalantly. “By the way, where’s little Ms. Mica? I thought for sure I’d see her here today.”
My chest warms at the inquiry about my baby girl which lets me know that Kyelle isn’t a woman with plans of spending time with me without considering my daughter.
“She’s at home. She wasn’t feeling well today, so I didn’t think bringing her out here would be a good idea.”
“Aw, poor baby. I hope it’s nothing serious.” Tightness forms around Kyelle’s eyes as they fill with concern, and a deep frown forms.
“I’m sure she’s gonna be fine. Those germ spreaders at her school are always sending her home with something.”
“Oh, okay. I hope she feels better soon. I actually wanted to invite the two of you to a book fair that is happening next weekend. With Mica’s love for books, I know she will enjoy the event. If she’s feeling better and you don’t have any prior plans, that is.”
“None of my plans would stop me from being wherever you are. If you want us there, . . . consider it a date.”
“A date, huh?” Kyelle smirks.
“The first of many.”
A beaming gleam fills Kyelle’s eyes, and I mentally photograph it before shifting to her mouth when she begins speaking.
“You always know what to say to make me smile, huh?”
“I’m just trying to keep up with you. You’ve been keeping me grounded since I met you.”
“Hey, pretty lady. I’m—” Fire forms in my veins when my eyes shift to the uninvited third party speaking to Kyelle like I’m not sitting beside her.
“Aye, how up-to-date is your accidental insurance?” I ask, staring daggers into the clueless idiot standing to my right.
“What you say?”
I don’t know if the country accent or his question pisses me off more, but either way, I lift to my full height and stare missiles into him.
“It was nice chatting with you, Heath, but—”
“Hm. With a single letter, your name is about to become synonymous with something much more final,” I say deadpan, causing Heath’s eyes to widen to the size of saucers.
“Run, Heath, . . . run,” someone nearby yells dramatically, yet my gaze doesn’t shift from the man in front of me.
“B-bye . . . p-prettyy—”
“Don’t even finish that bullshit name,” I say, cutting him off as he turns and nearly trips while retreating down the steps.
“Aw, that was mean, Kaeden. He didn’t mean any harm,” Kyelle says.
“Flies don’t mean any harm, but they’re still annoying, aren’t they? Let’s go grab you some of these refreshments and find your friend so you can bounce before I hurt more than a man’s feelings about playing in my face over you.”
“I heard your hateful ass ran off Jon’s little brother earlier,” Rickey says, smirking.
The post-practice mingling is over, and we’re walking to our vehicles after showering and having a last-minute briefing from Coach Sumlin.
“Who?” Frowning, I stop walking to look directly at Rickey to engage in this conversation for a few minutes.
“Wow. Did you warn that many niggas to stay away from wifey today that you don’t remember?”
Sighing heavily, my jaw clenches at the thought of the lame from earlier snitching on me to his brother.
It’s the only way Rickey could have heard about what happened since he wasn’t around at the time.
Usually, I try to maintain a cooler head, but seeing the man shamelessly trying to converse with Kyelle, despite me talking to her, pissed me off.
All forms of decorum and patience left my psyche as flashes of red danced before my eyes.
Shrugging, I answer Rickey’s question once the tinge of rage evaporates from my pores.
“I won’t apologize for letting a nigga know to play with something safe.”
“Well, you better be glad I was able to talk Jon out of confronting you about his brother.” The merriment in Rickey’s eyes matches the teasing smile, causing me to laugh hysterically. “Don’t laugh. Jon can—”
“Walk his ass into injured reserve fucking with me. I’m out, bro. I need to call Ms. Ky before she knocks out for the night.” Throwing up two fingers, I walk away with urgency to get in my vehicle so I can call Kyelle.
“Let me find out that woman got you acting brand new,” Rickey says to my retreating back, but I don’t slow my strides or acknowledge his statement as boisterous laughter sounds behind me.
Entering my ride, I toss my bag in the passenger seat after grabbing my phone, secure my seat belt, and peel out of the lot. Pulling up Kyelle’s contact, I hit the green icon and smile like a kid in a candy store when the ringing sounds around the interior.
“Hi, Kaeden. Didn’t you get enough of me earlier?” My heart skips a beat upon hearing Kyelle’s angelic voice once the call connects on the third ring.
“Never. Did you miss me, my baby?”
“How?”
A cheesy grin slides into place that I would deny if anyone saw me doing it publicly. “The same way I miss the fuck out of you. You ain’t gotta fake it, Kyelle. I know you’re feeling me.”
“Oh, now this is interesting. What makes you think that?”
“It’s in the twinkling stars in your eyes every time you look at me. You look at me like I hung those mothafuckas in the sky.”
“You’re very cocky, I see.”
“Nah. I just know what it is between us. How’d you enjoy your first professional football practice though?”
Changing the subject is entirely for my benefit so Kyelle doesn’t find a reason to shut down our conversation.
Despite seeing her, I’m desperate for every moment she allows me to have with her.
For the first time in a very long time, a woman I barely know has my damn nose wide open.
Only this time, I’m not gonna try to prevent the nosebleed I may get from sniffing behind her like I did when it happened in high school.