6. Yes! to the Bye Week
Mia
“ Week Five and the Armadillos are undefeated and on a bye week. Can they sustain their winning streak?”
As I replayed my pre-recorded podcast for tonight, an awkward sensation fell over me.
Listening to my speaking voice on replay unnerved me sometimes.
I critiqued how I pronounced my words.
Turning on Kindness’s street, I turned off the recording.
My friend owned the oldest house on the block and refused to upgrade with her neighborhood.
I parked in front of her house instead of the driveway.
She called me last night for a favor, something about helping a friend with media training.
I couldn’t say no, because she convinced Bryce to co-host with me.
It’s still my highest streamed podcast episode, and I want to bring him on permanently.
He’s well versed in sports and has a deep speaking voice.
“Kindness and these damn plants,” I said as I walked up the driveway.
My best friend had always been what I would call different, but I adored her individuality.
I approached the front door, but I didn’t knock.
Instead, I flipped off her camera and giggled.
“Really, Mia?” Kindness said, as she opened the door.
She extended her arms, and I moved in for a hug.
“Thank you. I owe you for this,” she said.
“You know I’m forever in your debt,” I replied and followed her inside.
Her home was covered with plants, mirroring the vibe outside.
I passed at least three vines on the way to the kitchen.
Kindness had several vegetables from her garden set aside in bowls, and I smiled.
“You’re making my salad?” I asked.
Kindness rolled her eyes, and I squealed.
She made the absolute best salad with homemade dressing.
It’s something about the taste of fresh, garden-grown vegetables.
Wasting no time, I sat my keys and phone down on the island to help.
“Kindness,” a familiar deep voice said, and I squinted at my friend.
She gave me the side-eye, and I chuckled when Bryce appeared.
My eyes traveled from between the two before I settled on the side profile of my friend.
“Hi, Bryce, I didn’t know you would be here,” I said in a teasing manner.
He gave me a side hug and a smile, showing all his perfect white teeth.
“The podcast numbers are still going strong. We need to connect next Thursday. I want to shoot a few hot takes, if you are down,” I said.
“Absolutely, and let’s look at how I can squeeze in a day or two during the week,” he said.
I tapped the butcher block island with my fingers to show my excitement.
Kindness gave Bryce a seductive but proud smile as she glared at him.
He moved in her direction and offered a sweet but enduring peck behind her ear.
My mouth parted and closed again as they stared into each other’s eyes.
The vibration of Kindness’ phone pulled them from their moment.
“He’s here,” she said, and Bryce cackled a bit before stepping away.
“Ahem,” I said, clearing my throat.
Kindness pretended not to hear me until I cleared my throat again.
She smiled but wouldn’t give me her attention.
“Ma’am, you can spill it now or you can do it with Stacie in attendance. But spill, you will be doing,” I said.
She turned to me and danced her eyes upward and my mouth widened.
“You been over here playing house,” I said, and she smiled.
Kindness couldn’t scrub the in-love aura off her if she wanted to and my heart warmed.
At one time, I was privileged to have such a glow.
Before I could ask her another question, we heard the door open and two men talking.
“I want the tea and I’m calling Stacie,” I whispered as I passed her a vegetable to wash.
Laughter stole our attention as we turned to find the source.
The two men and a little angel came into view.
Marcus’s brown eyes captured mine and refused to release me.
I forced my attention to Bryce kissing Kindness.
“Marcus, this is Kindness. Kindness, this is Marcus,” Bryce said.
“You’re the team photographer,” Marcus moved to confirm and kissed her hand afterward.
“Yes, I take pictures for the team among a few other roles,” Kindness confirmed.
I smiled at the possessive way Bryce pulled her into his body.
“Meet Mia Robinson. She is my co-host,” he said, and I extended my hand toward Marcus.
Instead of shaking it, he kissed my hand.
The heat from his mouth lingered on my skin.
“You are fucking beautiful,” he said, and I gave him a shaky smile.
The sound of Bryce’s hard cackling allowed me an exit from Marcus’s intense stare.
“Yes! You cursed. I get a new doll,” Harley said, and everyone laughed.
I took in her beautiful, innocent brown eyes as I glared down.
She resembled her father down to the skin tone.
With force, I pulled my hand away from Marcus’s grip and kneeled to his daughter.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Harley Allen,” she said with pride, extending one of her tiny hands to me, and I shook it.
She held the things all kids should have: happiness, energy, and innocence.
“Well, Miss Allen, it’s nice to meet you. Would you prefer to join the ladies in the kitchen? I sure could use some help washing the vegetables?” I asked.
“Okay,” she said cheerfully and rounded the corner, following me to the sink.
I pulled her onto a stool next to the bowl of vegetables and Kindness lifted her to the seat.
“Finally found my daughter a mother,” Marcus said, and I paused at his boldness.
He stood with confidence in his statement as he studied my body.
I found myself trapped by his eyes as I exhaled a short breath.
“Ummmm. Hi, Harley. I’m Kindness. Welcome to my home.”
A light tap from Kindness helped usher me back to myself.
“I could be dating someone for all you know,” I said in hopes of deterring what I saw in his eyes.
“It wouldn’t matter if you were. He became an afterthought once I put my eyes on you,” Marcus countered, and I peered over at Kindness and then Bryce.
He shrugged, and silence lingered over the room.
I shifted my focus to his daughter, who held something mysterious in her eyes.
The last thing I wanted to do was an audition for motherhood.
I’m sure he had baby momma drama, and she probably wasn’t his only child.
I mean, how could he not?
Shit, he’s fine with his dark chocolate skin, beautiful smile, slim muscular build and those seductive eyes.
I gave him my back and focused my attention on Harley.
“Miss Allen, can you pass me a tomato?” I requested.
She lifted the vegetable that was bigger than her hand, passing it over to me.
“Thank you,” I said.
I swiped it underneath the water a few times before placing it in the clean bowl.
“What are we making?” Harley asked, and I smiled.
“Kindness is making us her famous loaded vegetable salad,” I answered.
I viewed the bowl to make my next ask, “Can you pass me a cucumber?”
Harley wasted no time passing over the green vegetable.
“Why is it famous? She been on TV?” she questioned, and I giggled.
“Kindness has been on TV but not for her salad. I called it famous to trick her into making it,” I whispered.
“I heard you, Mia,” Kindness said from behind, and Harley’s eyes widened.
Kids’ expressions amused me.
They’re always extreme.
We finished washing the vegetables, and I lowered her to the floor.
I turned to find Marcus’s attention on me.
I smiled to calm myself more than to be polite.
“Thank you, Harley, for helping us girls in the kitchen. I love your name, by the way.” I said.
“My daddy likes you,” Harley said with an assured smile, leaving me stuck.
Bryce bellowed another hard laugh as the room turned in his direction.
This time, I found Kindness joining in on the fun, but she hid her laughter behind her hand.
“Them Allens say whatever is on their minds,” Bryce said.
My phone vibrated, giving me the reprieve I needed.
I migrated to the island and flipped it over to find a text message from Addison.
Addison
Pizza and go karts?
“Break up with him,” Marcus said, and I paused my finger over the text thread.
I flipped over my phone without answering the text, giving Marcus my attention.
Leaning against the counter, I said.
“What makes you think it was a guy?”
“Someone with your beauty attracts men without any effort. After today, go ahead and put them on notice,” he said.
I chuckled at his sentence, and I found myself smiling.
Something a man hadn’t done for me in a long while.
“I take it you need the media tips?” I said to shift the conversation to something more professional.
“According to my unofficial agent, Bryce. He said I’m a little rough around the edges,” Marcus said.
“The key to mastering the media is being yourself, but a more polished version. People can sense when you’re being dishonest or disingenuous,” I offered as I rounded the island.
Harley stood next to her father, quiet and patient.
Something most children her age were unable to do.
“Allow Harley and I to demonstrate,” I said as I extended my hand in her direction.
I pulled back a chair for her to sit and she followed my lead.
Children were the most honest people on this earth.
“Harley, let’s school your dad on how to interview. I’m going to make a fist and pretend it’s a mic.” she shook her head with excitement.
“Marcus, I want you to pay attention to her body language,” I said, peering up into his eyes.
I took the seat across from her and cleared my throat.
“It’s Mia Robinson and I’m here, invading your podcast airwaves. Tonight, I have Harley Allen in the building. She is the daughter of the Armadillos’ new wide receiver, Marcus Allen. Miss Allen, tell us what’s the secret to your father being a great football player,” I asked, and then extended my balled fist.
“He was born with it,” she said, satisfied with her answer.
I fought the urge to snicker at her comment.
“I see. What makes him a great dad?” I asked next.
Harley danced her head from side to side before she answered.
“Because he reads me bedtime stories, he buys me baby dolls, and he makes the best peanut butter sandwich on the planet. And he cuts off the edges of the bread.”
I chuckled at her comment.
Her relaxed shoulders and eye contact were proof of her honesty.
“Can we say peanut butter sandwiches are your favorite meal?” I questioned, speaking into the fake mic.
“No. Cabbage and cornbread is my favorite,” Bryce and I both burst into laughter as she shrugged.
“How old is this little girl, man,” Bryce asked Marcus, but he smiled back.
I caught a glimpse of Kindness resting her back against the wall, smirking in our direction.
“One last question, Miss Allen. We know you have a busy schedule.”
“My bedtime isn’t until seven o’clock, I have time,” she interrupted, and I couldn’t suppress my smile.
In a matter of minutes, this little girl had stolen my heart.
She was beyond sweet, and I could tell she was loved by her maintained ponytails and flower-printed dress.
“The group wants to know. What do you want to be when you grow up?” I asked.
What I really wanted to ask was if your daddy had a girlfriend and other children.
“A farmer,” she said.
I smiled again before I clapped my hands.
The group soon joined in, giving her a round of applause.
“Thank you, Harley, for your honest answers,” I said, and her smile beamed.
Marcus lifted his daughter in the air and kissed her face.
He placed her on his lap and licked his lips at me.
“It’s my turn,” he said.
I pulled my locs behind my ear to stall.
Nervous energy surrounded me, something I hadn’t experienced in years when it came to interviewing.
“Okay. Mr. Allen, what makes you an elite wide receiver?” I questioned.
“Ms. Mia, you didn’t extend the mic,” Harley reminded.
I acknowledged her statement and extended my hand toward Marcus.
“My ability to always catch a running target,” he answered in a coated response.
Clearing my throat, I pulled the mic back to me.
“Isn’t that the job of a wide receiver, Mr. Allen?” I countered.
Harley peered up at her father as he stared at me.
“My ability to catch the difficult ones puts me in the elite category.”
My eyes toggled over to Kindness, and she grinned while dancing her brows.
“What is the contributing factor to you and Bryce’s connection?” I asked to get everyone in the room back on track.
“Time, patience, trust, and the willingness of both parties. Relationships are an investment,” he said.
“It doesn’t appear to me you need media training, Mr. Allen,” I said with a lifted brow.
“I can assure you, I do,” he answered, and I chuckled.
“Harley, how would you grade him?” I asked, and she waved her hand in a so-so manner.
The room laughed again, and I found myself smiling as Marcus tickled her.
She squirmed and giggled, captivating everyone in the room.
Marcus
I tapped Granny’s good knee, as Harley would say, to wake her from her sleep.
She raised her eyelids, filled to the brim with wisdom, and focused on me.
“I’m going to pick up Harley. I might take her out for some ice cream. Will you be okay for a few hours by yourself?” I asked.
She pursed her lips together.
“I’m old, not incapable. I’m going from the bathroom back to this chair. Judge Moore is coming on in a minute. She gets down to the point. I got my phone,” she said.
I kissed her forehead and headed to the garage.
With the sun shining, I pulled out my baby, my ’86 Cutlass.
I bagged out the driveway but paused when Bryce airdropped me his location.
Bryce
Meet me here.
I chuckled before I texted back.
Me
Why
Bryce
Media training.
Me
I know how to answer questions.
Bryce
You are too honest and blunt
I shrugged as if he was in the car with me.
My grandpa told me if a man can’t handle the truth, he wouldn’t hesitate to lie.
Bryce
Free Food.
Me
I’m there
When the gray bubbles appeared, I was already laughing.
Bryce
Damn shame.
Sitting in the parents’ pick up line, I knew Harley would be happy.
I didn’t tell her I had the week off.
Every luxury car you could name sat in this line, from Bentleys to Rolls Royces.
The people in this neighborhood are rolling in the dough.
As I pulled up, Harley’s eyes ballooned.
“Daddy!” she yelled.
The teacher’s grip on her hand kept her from bouncing off the sidewalk.
I unlocked the door, and she showed the teacher how to let up the seat.
“Daddy, you didn’t have to work today?” she questioned as she held onto the headrest.
“Nope, I’m all yours this week. Strap yourself in,” I said.
She sat in the seat and pulled the seat belt over her body with excitement.
“How was school today?” I asked as I focused on a way out of the school pickup line.
“Good, but I still miss my friends in Ohio,” she said.
Adjusting to new kids hadn’t gone as well as I would have wished.
For the first four weeks, the teacher sent emails saying she was withdrawn.
Last week, she connected with two girls in class.
“We can call them tonight,” I said.
“Yesssss!” She fist pumped from the back seat.
“Before we go check on Granny, we are going to stop by your Uncle Bryce's house. He has free food,” I said.
“Do I call him Uncle Bryce?” she questioned.
I chuckled as I weighed if I wanted to give him the honor of a title. “Yea, you can call him Uncle Bryce. He is my quarterback,” I said.
“He throws the ball?” she questioned.
“Yep,” I said.
Following the GPS, I ended up in a gentrified neighborhood which irked my soul. Big developers come in and out price the soul of the community with their high-end designs. When the GPS directed me to an older home with plants, I knew this wasn’t Bryce’s house. Exiting the car, Harley waited for me to open her door. She was already unbuckled when I pulled the seat up. We held hands as I walked up the driveway to find Bryce.