Chapter 14 Kaeden
A Few Weeks Later . . .
I thought I enjoyed experiencing the feeling of having Mica in the stands during a game.
But seeing the light, joy, and glow in Kyelle’s eyes during various plays of the opening game had me walking with an extra swag during the post-game celebration and several days afterward.
Kyelle appeared to be in tune with what was happening around her and razor-focused on my moves.
Having a woman in my corner with the ability to ground me with her mere presence is something I didn’t set out for but something I’m appreciative of with every passing day.
Thanks to Coach Sumlin’s emergency, practice for today was canceled, and I couldn’t be happier.
While the other coaches are capable of conducting practice, none of them did so.
I’m at home with Mica, awaiting Kyelle’s arrival.
This is Kyelle’s first time coming to my house, and my damn stomach is doing backflips.
It’s crazy to have such a reaction to something so simple after I’ve spent time at Kyelle’s place.
Unlike me, Mica has been bouncing off the walls excitedly knowing that Kyelle is coming to hang out with us.
Instead of me setting the tone for today’s visit, Mica has planned the day, and I’m just hoping Kyelle is cool with it.
“Why is your big ass sitting there staring at the wall?” Jaleel’s voice cuts into my thoughts, causing me to shift my gaze to him.
“Why are you still here? I thought you would break your ankle leaving once you found out I would be here all day.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m going as soon as your lady love arrives. I need to see if you blush like a nigga with his first hard-on.”
Staring blankly at my knucklehead brother, I refuse to comment on his statement because, truthfully, I have been working to keep my dick in check ever since Kyelle agreed to come hang out.
Knowing that she’s a business owner, I didn’t expect her to be free, but Kyelle had no issues allowing her friend to run the store upon my suggestion.
“No comment, huh? You ain’t got to dignify my statement with a response because I already know what it is.
Ma would be planning your wedding if she heard you begging like the R&B singer she loved so much.
The record number of times you begged should be studied.
Are you sure you’re in a relationship with her? ”
Jaleel might be exaggerating, but he isn’t completely lying because I did ask Kyelle twice if she would come over.
Kyelle felt today should have been a daddy/daughter day since she’s been occupying my time lately.
However, I want the opportunity to spend time with both of my girls, and with the way Mica screamed after learning of Kyelle coming, I’m glad I pushed.
“Get your hating ass out of here. I’m sure one of your throwbacks is waiting for you.”
Laughter escapes Jaleel’s mouth as he flicks me off just as the doorbell sounds through the house.
“Let me be hospitable,” Jaleel says, causing me to jump up from the couch, chasing behind him to reach the front door.
“Move your ass out of the way. She ain’t here for you.” I shove Jaleel, trying to move him out of the way as we begin a pushing match at the door.
“Thirsty ass nigga. Hold on,” Jaleel says, turning to quickly unlock the door and pull it open.
Kyelle’s brows hike upon seeing me and Jaleel at the door before he speaks while I check out my woman.
“Welcome to our hou—excuse me. Welcome to the Evans’ crib. Come on in, sis.”
Kyelle laughs when Jaleel extends his arm while bowing at the same time with his fake ass.
“Thank you for your—”
“Bye, bro.” I cut Kyelle off, shoving him out the door once she steps inside the foyer.
“Damn. You are a rude motha—” Jaleel’s words are cut off when I slam the door in his face as Kyelle giggles.
“That wasn’t very nice, Mr. Evans,” Kyelle says, smirking.
“Probably not, but let’s focus on something far more important . . . You look good.”
Kyelle’s face brightens, and a heart-stopping smile forms as my previous stomach jitters melt away when I pull her into my body, wrapping my arms around her. The minute our bodies connect, a feeling of home and my world re-centering fills me with intense heat.
“Ms. Kyelle, you’re here! You’re here!” Mica’s jovial voice has my lips twisting into a grin, forcing me to release Kyelle from the embrace that immediately causes me to feel bereft from the separation.
“Hi, sweet girl. How are you today?” Kyelle greets a beaming Mica.
“I’m good. Ooh, you look pretty.” Mica smiles while assessing Kyelle’s attire, causing me to again do the same.
Kyelle is wearing a V-neck black long-sleeve two-piece set that appears extremely comfortable and appropriate for a chill day at the crib.
Her hair is in a tight bun resting at the back of her head allowing me to photograph every feature of her beautiful face.
The intricate lines that crease her eyelid.
The slight dimple between the space just under her cheeks.
Not to mention the perfect arch in her brows.
Ms. Ky of Echoes of Kyelle is a gorgeous woman and the one my heart stands up to acknowledge every time she’s in close proximity.
“Thank you,” Kyelle says, causing her cheeks to expand as her beautiful white teeth make their presence known.
Damn, I need to marry this woman just so I can have the privilege of waking up to this smile every morning.
“Nooo, you’re cheating, Daddy.” Mica laughs when I snatch the flag from her back pocket.
“You gotta be quicker than that, Cupcake. All’s fair in—”
“Now you know you ain’t right,” Kyelle says, cutting off my statement as she stands between Mica and me.
“He’s cheating, Ms. Kyelle.” Mica pouts, shaking her head.
Low laughter escapes my mouth because the flag football game had been Mica’s idea, along with her and Kyelle being on the same team. Now, she’s calling me a cheater because I’m winning.
“It’s not right to treat us like you do your opponents in a football game,” Kyelle adds.
“Hm. I don’t know why y’all are whining when this was her idea that you agreed to. If I were losing—”
“You’re supposed to be losing though. You’re a professional playing against two females. Had I known you weren’t going to—”
“Save that whining for the after-game conversation. You losers don’t have time to distract me. Next play.”
Mica pouts more as Kyelle grabs her by the hand, leading her away from me, before they appear to be conversing lowly.
Mica is now grinning while nodding at whatever Kyelle is telling her.
Seeing the two of them together has a funny feeling emerging in my chest as I stare in silence and wait.
Seconds later, Kyelle stands to her full height as she and Mica clap simultaneously.
“Break,” they say in unison, causing a sinister grin to form when the pair return to where I’m standing with the football.
“You’re going down, Daddy,” Mica says with her lip curling in a fake attempt to rile me as I shake my head.
“More blocking, less talking, chump,” I say, looking from Mica to Kyelle, who bats her lashes as her eyes flash with seduction that nearly throws me off my game.
“Foul! Unnecessary temptation,” I say as Kyelle shrugs before walking to the imaginary line of scrimmage with Mica beside her.
“What happened to all’s fair in—”
“Foul! Unsportsmanlike conduct.” I cut off Kyelle’s statement when she winks at me before blowing me a kiss.
“More playing and less whining, Daddy,” Mica says in a bored tone.
My eyes shift from Mica to Kyelle and back before an unsettled feeling enters my stomach because somewhere between their huddle and returning to the line of scrimmage, my fate flashes before my eyes.
While I have been able to easily steal Mica’s flag to get a leg up, I now understand what happens when women get on one accord.
Kyelle just implemented a secret weapon in her and Mica’s strategy that now has me shaking in my slides.
I thought I had an advantage since Kyelle and Mica are playing in socks, but it seems the tables are about to shift.
Ignoring Kyelle’s feminine wiles is gonna be damn near impossible with my mind now playing our lovemaking session on repeat.
“Delay of the game. Five-yard penalty,” Kyelle says, pushing me back with a sneaky grin as I fight my body’s reaction to her touch. “Are you ready to let us win, or do I need to go further?” she whispers so only I can hear.
Seeing the twinkle in Kyelle’s eyes prevents me from doing anything but nod wordlessly.
“Good. For your cooperation, I’ll reward you later.” She removes her hand as heat remains, and my breathing becomes labored like I’ve been running laps during practice. “Come on, sweet girl. Are you ready to win?” Kyelle asks Mica, who bobs her head up and down happily.
“Yes, ma’am. Let’s finish him.” Mica and Kyelle give each other a high five, yet I’m nearly frozen in place while trying to coach my dick to stand down.
“My mama always told me that my hair is my crown,” Kyelle reads before Mica cuts her off.
“My mom ain’t tell me that. I don’t remember what she told me about my hair. What do you think about it, Ms. Kyelle?” Mica shifts her body so she’s looking at Kyelle, dead center, and my heart rate and pulse increase from the words coming from Mica.
A gasp escapes my mouth that I quickly cover with my hand like a yawn to not cause Mica to look in my direction.
Mica hasn’t spoken about her mother or her absence this much since the first year Meshay left.
My breathing is labored as I stare silently at Mica and Kyelle as seconds tick to minutes.
Once our flag football game ended, the three of us had a quick meal of turkey and provolone on wheat bread that Kyelle made into a panini along with some chips.
Now the three of us are in Mica’s room, where she requested Kyelle read her a bedtime story.
Tonight’s book selection is Black Girl With the Afro by Katrina and Amaya Anderson.
It’s a book Mica has had for a while but hasn’t ever wanted to read.
“W-w-what do I think about what?” Kyelle stutters before her wide eyes peer into mine.
At Mica’s insistence, Kyelle is lying in her bed while reading the book, and I’m sitting on the beanbag chair adjacent to the bed.
Watching the two of them in such a loving and familiar position has my chest warm and my eyes unable to look away.
While I have been enjoying Kyelle’s interaction with me, I wasn’t sure how Mica would handle her in this capacity.
But Mica is lying against Kyelle’s body, giving her a look similar to the one she used to give her mother.
The expression says that Mica thinks Kyelle can hang the sun and identify every star in the sky.
“My hair. What do you think about it?”
Air escapes my mouth when Mica gives Kyelle a duh expression because I’m sure Kyelle and I were thinking Mica was talking about Meshay.
“I love your hair. It makes you easily the prettiest girl in the world,” Kyelle says, smiling.
“Aw. Thank you, Ms. Kyelle. I think you’re the prettiest girl in the world too.” Mica giggles.
My chest tightens and releases when Mica throws her arms around Kyelle as they embrace. Seeing Kyelle giving Mica the reassurance she was seeking has adoration bursting in my chest. When an unexpected vision flashes, I blink rapidly to forestall the water begging for clearance in my tear ducts.
“Let’s finish the story. We pretty girls need our beauty sleep,” Kyelle says, picking up the book and resuming the story as Mica listens intently.
“I’m gonna let y’all have it. I’ll be waiting for you, Ms. Ky. Good night, Cupcake,” I say over the lump in my throat after standing to my full height before quickly kissing Mica’s cheek.
My eyes meet Kyelle’s as I wordlessly communicate my need for her once she’s finished with Mica. A slow nod and wink from Kyelle has my dick twitching as I make my way to the door.
“I’ll shower first and then give Kyelle a bedtime story of my own,” I whisper upon stepping into the hallway and heading toward my bedroom.