10. Game Day Tickets
Chapter 10
Game Day Tickets
Marcus
I climbed into bed and opened my text message thread to more pictures of Mia and Harley.
My daughter and these sunglasses sent me into a hard cackle.
After the baseball game, they went to the park.
Mia sent various pictures of Harley on the swings with the other kids.
Instead of texting, I FaceTimed Mia.
She answered in a headscarf.
Those pouty lips had me wanting to crawl through the phone.
“Hey, you.”
“Beautiful,” I said, and Mia blushed.
“Shouldn’t you be sleep, there is a big game tomorrow against Miami? They have a strong secondary, Mr. Allen. Kellen is physical and will try to jam you at the line of scrimmage,” she said, and I gave a half smirk
“Marry me,” I requested, and she lowered the phone but lifted it again to show her face.
“Marcus, you need to focus,” she said.
I admired Mia’s flawless skin, her perfect shaped nose and beauty mark on the right side of her face underneath her lip.
“I am, baby. Did Harley give you trouble about going to bed?” I asked.
The phone shifted downward to Harley lying next to Mia asleep, and I shook my head once Mia reappeared on the phone.
“Baby, don’t allow Harley to get used to co-sleeping with you. That’s Daddy’s spot,” I said, and Mia rolled her eyes.
“Daddy isn’t here. Trust me, I’m going to put her in her own bed. She gets up too early in the morning for me,” Mia said.
“You miss me?” I asked, and she batted her lashes with a hard smile.
Mia embarrassed easily, and it was fucking sexy to me.
She couldn’t handle the compliments, which told me she hadn’t been told she was beautiful enough.
I was blunt about my affection for her.
“Marcus,” she said.
“Do you miss me?” I questioned again, and for a second, she removed the phone from her pretty face before returning her attention to me.
“Yes,” she whispered, but her eyes lit with excitement.
“Do you miss me?” she questioned.
I repositioned myself on the bed, tossing a pillow underneath my head.
“I miss my woman already. Be ready when I get home,” I said, and she blushed until she covered the smile.
“Marcus, I did not agree to be your woman. I said we would try things out,” she said.
From the look in her eyes, she didn’t believe the words leaving her mouth.
I smirked at her comment.
“Mia, we’ve been in a relationship for about two weeks now,” I informed, and her eyes ballooned before she smiled.
“We will further discuss your surrender Monday morning when I return,” I said and she rolled her eyes.
“Get some sleep and worry about Kellen. Good night, Marcus,” she said and blew me a kiss.
After we hung up, I found my tablet to go through Kellen’s highlights again.
“What’s the game plan?” I asked Bryce as we stood next to each other on the sideline.
Bryce blew out a hard, mad breath before giving me the side-eye.
I chuckled at his response.
He doesn’t realize the change happening to him as he considers someone else’s opinion.
The Bryce I met before the season was determined and confident about his plan.
As the weeks passed by, his anger diminished.
“I have to throw this asshole the ball or my woman gon’ be on my ass. She might leave me this time around,” he said.
Patting his shoulder I said, “I’ll take the back seat, but I need at least one touchdown,” I said.
He nodded as we grabbed helmets and ran on the field.
“Arkansas, Arkansas,” Bryce yelled from the line of scrimmage.
He shifted his right heel, alerting me it was a dummy play and to go along with it.
Kellen lowered himself to jam me at the line of scrimmage.
“Hike,” Bryce yelled.
Kellen forced me outside and held me to prevent me from being an option.
I played along, and Bryce hit Vick for fifteen yards.
My opponent bumped into me.
“You ain’t getting shit today. I’m on your ass,” Kellen said.
Trash talk didn’t move me or get underneath my skin.
I walked back to the line of scrimmage and caught Bryce’s eye.
He saw the interaction between me and Kellen, but I shook him off.
By the fourth quarter, I’ll dust his ass.
Kellen was tired.
Vick had received the bulk of the work, but he couldn’t back off me.
I went full speed every play as Bryce used me as a decoy.
We needed the fourth down to keep the drive going.
“Winter Coats, Winter Coats, Winter Coats,” Bryce yelled and swiped his knee.
“Hike,” Bryce yelled.
We needed three yards.
I squared Kellen and sprinted left and secured the fourth down.
“You were lucky. But you still ain’t shit,” Kellen yelled as I moved back to the line of scrimmage.
After the defense set, I gave Bryce the nod, and he knew what to do.
“Bubble gum, Atlanta, Atlanta. Hike,” he said.
I hit the inside slant but paused midway and cut back out to the sideline.
Kellen couldn’t re-adjust in time to catch me.
Bryce released the ball, and I tracked it in the air.
It landed in my hand as I stepped into the end zone.
With my tongue protruding out the side of my mouth, I hit a hard but slow body roll.
After the game, the media team tapped me for my first after the game interview and I knew I had to make it count.
I exited the locker room with Bryce shaking his head.
He knew what to expect, but no one else did.
I woke up this morning, ready to get back to Houston and to several text messages.
Wifey
MARCUS ALLEN, are you crazy?
Why did you put our business on TV and on my daddy’s network?
Lifting from my pillow, I smiled.
She finally saw the press conference.
I had one agenda last night with the mics in my face, claiming my woman.
Mia’s stock was high with her talent, brains, wealth and connections.
By the third question, I was annoyed.
The media tried to pit me against Vick, and I followed Bryce’s lead and shut the shit down.
I flipped on USPN to see my interview being aired.
“Mr. Allen, how do you feel about Vick Landry getting the catches?” the reporter asked.
“We are a football team. Bryce leads, and he feeds the ball to whomever he deems will help the team win.”
“Mr. Allen, how will you celebrate the team remaining undefeated?” a different reporter asked.
“Tonight, I’m going to call my daughter and add to our bedtime story, the Wide Receiver and the Princess. Tomorrow, I’m going to lie up next to my woman, Mia Robinson. Check out her podcast, by the way.”
“Mia Robinson, as in, the daughter of the USPN owner?” the reporter clarified.
When my phone flashed, I read Mia’s message again and greeted her.
Me
Good morning, baby.
Although she texted me an hour ago, she must have been watching her phone because the gray dots appeared.
Wifey
I’m going to good morning you all right?
My parents are losing their minds.
You know what, COME HOME and fix this.
Me
You miss me.
Did Harley make it to school this morning?
Wifey
Why wouldn’t she?
She is wearing her favorite color today.
Purple makes her brown eyes pop.
You should have seen her.
.
.
But you’re getting off subject, Marcus.
Me
I’ll take care of you when I get home, baby.
Thank you for holding down everything this weekend.
Wifey
MARCUS
Thinking about her thick thighs hardened the tip of my dick.
Those athletes on her podcast be lurking.
I cleaned up and headed to the team bus in front of the hotel, satisfied with my actions.
I sat three seats behind Bryce because he was late as fuck getting on the team bus.
He wasn’t slick.
I saw Kindness sneaking out of his room this morning.
She ducked her head out the door, but I jerked my head back.
If Coach found out, he was going to kick his ass.
Roundtree had two women in his room and the reason we stayed in hotels for home games.
My phone vibrated, and I laughed at seeing Bryce’s name.
Bryce
Mia is going to kill you.
Why you put her business out there?
Me
She’s still freaking out.
All will be good once I make her eyes roll to the back of her head.
Bryce
You realize what you did, right?
Me
Took her off the market.
Bryce rotated in his seat and shook his head in my direction.
Mia was my lady, and I wasn’t interested in hiding our relationship on any level.
Before I could open my crossword puzzle app, Mia text.
Wifey
Dinner at your house tomorrow night.
My parents demanded to meet you and the family.
I invited them over to keep Mrs.
Eddy from getting out in this heat.
As always, she thought about the comfort of someone else.
Me
No problem, but tonight, you belong to me.
Wifey
I’ll think about it.
Me
Think about it?
Wifey
Yes, think about it.
Vick passing my seat caught my attention especially when he sat next to Bryce.
The conversation behind me tapered down to nothing.
I positioned myself to leap out of my seat if Bryce needed me.
As far as I was concerned, we could both beat Vick’s ass, although, Bryce could handle himself in a fight.
From my ear hustling, they were having a needed conversation.
Mia
Harley woke me bright and early this morning.
I opened one eye and kept the other one closed.
“You look like a pirate,” she giggled.
“Breakfast is ready.”
She skipped out the door and I groaned at the thought of leaving this warm bed.
Rolling on my back, I released a deep sigh and stared at the ceiling.
I coached myself to get up, pulling back the comforter.
My feet hitting the cold hard bathroom tile sprung my eyes open.
Leaning over the vanity, I brushed my teeth, washed my face and readied myself for the day.
Dressed in pink joggers, a t-shirt, and slippers I headed into the kitchen.
“Good morning,” I greeted everyone.
My stomach smiled at the eggs, smothered potatoes with onions and biscuits resting on the table.
Mrs.
Eddy and Ms.
Renee gave me smirks before they burst into laughter.
“Ms. Mia will you twist my hair,” Harley asked as she stood in the living room.
She was dressed for school but one of her ponytails was a little wonky.
I smiled as I took a seat on the couch and combed her hair.
“Pick out the colors you want,” I instructed Harley as the sports news played in the background.
“Tonight, I’m going to call my daughter and add to our bedtime story, the Wide Receiver and the Princess. Tomorrow, I’m going to lie up next to my woman, Mia Robinson. Check out her podcast, by the way.”
“Mia Robinson, as in, the daughter of the USPN owner?” the reporter clarified.
I sucked my teeth as I twisted Harley’s last ponytail and finished off her hair.
Marcus’s ass was mine as soon as I could get to my phone.
“Are you going to be here when I get back?” Harley asked before she would walk out the door.
“Yes, ma’am. But I have to work in the studio tonight. It might be late before you see me,” I said, and relief fell on Harley’s face.
As soon as the door shut, I moved toward the hallway.
“Don’t hurt him,” Mrs.
Eddy said with a chuckle, and I couldn’t help but join as I slowed my steps.
I flipped on the TV but dropped the remote on the bed.
The screen of my phone was loaded with text messages and missed calls.
Last night, I was exhausted and dozed off by half time with it being a late-night game.
Mom
Call me NOW!
Daddy
Mia!
Mom
When were you going to tell me?
Stacie
Did he put y'all business on blast? Keeper!
Scott
Your social media is on fire. Come in early, the podcast will be smoking.
I sat on the bed in disbelief as I listened to the after-game press conference again. Toggling to my Stacie thread, I sent her a message. She was also an early bird.
Me
Marcus is insane.
Those three dots appeared immediately.
Stacie
Good morning, Mrs. Allen.
I rolled my eyes until they closed.
Me
I don’t understand why he would do that. It’s been two weeks.
Stacie
He took you off the market and I love this shit. #teammarcus.
At this moment, I decided Stacie wasn’t a stable person, and I toggled over to Kindness’s name instead.
Me
Marcus has lost his mind!
Kindness
?
I uploaded a clip from the press conference into our thread.
Kindness
Awww . . . too cute. Claiming his woman.
Me
Marcus needs help, and he left Harley in my care. Help me! He thinks we’re a couple. My dad has been calling all night.
Kindness
I love this. Trust love again.
Me
You nor Stacie were any help. Goodbye.
Russell’s face appearing on my TV caused me to do a double take. I secured the remote and turned up the volume.
“The Houston Police department has apprehended Russell Fox today in a shootout outside his hotel room. Authorities say they were trying to execute a wellness check after the suspect’s wife escaped with her sister and children. After knocking, Mr. Fox opened fire on the police. The suspect’s wife stated he has become increasingly obsessed with the Jordan family, owners of the Houston Armadillos. Once the police could enter the space, they found a pieced together revenge plan which included the kidnapping and strangulation of the owner’s daughter. He is being held without bond.”
Stacie loaded the new story in our group chat, and I wasted no time sending a message.
Stacie
Kindness, are you okay?
Me
What a psycho.
After Ms. Renee returned, I booked it back to my house before Marcus made it home. I needed clarity to gain control of my life. Marcus telling the world we were doing whatever we were doing unnerved me. The fact I was sleeping when he did it allowed the rumors to fester. My social media handles have been so out of control and my mother all but planned my wedding and bullied her way into a dinner meet and greet.
The most appalling text message I received originated from Nathan.
Nathan
You couldn’t wait to replace me and Onna.
I blocked his ass before I lost it. He was the one who packed his bags and said he and Latrice wanted to be a family.
Kicking my shoes off by the couch, I lifted my candle with a pink lighter and lit it. In a few minutes, vanilla flowers will infuse my space. My purse vibrated, and I shook my head no and walked into the kitchen. I opened the beverage fridge and removed the sparkling water and the doorbell sounded off. I sat the bottle on the island and tossed my head back.
Without my phone, I couldn’t see my security cameras. I opened the door to find a chocolate 6’3 football player staring down at me. Scanning his face, I couldn’t make out his mood. Raising the latch, I unlocked the glass door and stepped backward to allow him in. He crowded my space with no hesitation.
“Mia, why are you here?”
“I live here,” I said, and his brows furrowed.
“You came to exchange your clothes?” he asked, and I found myself speechless.
“Marcus, what are you doing here?”
“I came for my woman. I checked the GPS, and she was on restricted property,” he said.
Marcus pulled me by the waist into his body, and a fire sparked between us. His hands found my neck as he bit down on a piece of his lip. I swallowed hard as my body heated.
“Restricted?” I questioned in a whisper.
He examined my face seductively. “Anytime you’re not with me or where you should be. It’s a restricted area, Mia.”
“You no longer live here, and you’ll tell me in about five minutes,” he said before his lips landed on my mouth.
The taste of him had my pussy wet before he caressed my ass. Marcus kneeled and lifted me in the air. I hugged his neck as he carried me into the bedroom. With my back on the bed, he tossed his shirt. The sight of his structured body heated my core. I touched my shirt, and he seized my hand.
“No. I’m doing all the work,” he said.
I remained motionless as he removed one leg from my jeans. He gripped and kissed my inner thigh up to my feet. He pushed his tongue through each toe and I gasped. Marcus repeated the same motion as he removed my other pants leg.
“Black panties,” he whispered as he rubbed my pussy lips through the fabric.
“You must not be happy to see me, Mia. Your pussy isn’t wet enough,” he said.
My mouth parted because I was near my first orgasm. You could surf from the wetness alone. Marcus rounded the bed and enclosed his mouth around mine. He sucked on my tongue as he pulled up my shirt. I moaned as he broke our kiss but smirked at the sight of the hard dick above my head. Our tongues danced again as he rubbed my body, maneuvered his hands behind my back, and unsnapped my bra. He broke the kiss and rounded the bed again.
Marcus pressed his thumb against my clit and my back arched.
“I was thinking I need some motivation for when I’m on the road. I want a video of you cumming for me, Mia. Can I have a video, Mia?” he asked as his thumb circled my clit.
“Yes, baby, yes,” I said.
Marcus applied more pressure with his thumb and slipped a finger inside me. He stroked me with two fingers and massaged my clit. The sound of wetness echoed through the space and my back arched.
“Cum for the camera, Mia,” he instructed.
I peered down to see him holding a phone aimed at my pussy and he sent pleasurable heat through me. Spreading my legs wider because I wanted to cum for him, I added my hands to the mix to assist in my impending arrival.
“Got damn, my bad girl has arrived,” he said, and I raised from the bed and released repeatedly.
“Keep it coming, Mia,” he coached.
I slammed my body back on the bed and panted. He grabbed my hand and pushed it into his mouth. “Damn, let me clean you up,” he said.
Marcus dropped to his knees and planted his face in between my thighs and circled his tongue anywhere he pleased. He swiped my clit, and my eyes jolted open. It was sensitive, and he didn’t give a damn because he pulled it into his mouth. I squirmed until a rush of intensity traveled up my spine. The sensation anchored me upward as cum left my body.
My eyes fluttered closed until he pinched my thigh. He shook his head left-to-right, signaling he wasn’t finished. Marcus crawled in between my thighs, and entered my opening. The rawness of his dick caused my mouth to part. He pounded my pussy.
“Look at my bad girl taking this pleasure,” he said as he gripped my waist.
The more he stroked me, the more the pleasure of the skin to skin sent me over the edge.
“Mia, you like being my woman, don’t you?” he questioned, and I panted as he increased the speed.
“I’m talking to you,” he said.
“Yes, I love being your woman,” I said, nearing another release.
“I knew you panicked for no reason,” he said and gripped my waist and pounded me harder.
“Who do you belong to, Mia?” he asked, and I didn’t hesitate.
“Youuuu,” I said as water formed in my eyes.
“Who do you belong to?” he questioned again.
I gripped the bedding in preparation for my delivery.
“Marcus Fucking Allen,” I said, and my body trembled.
As my body relaxed, his grip on me intensified, and he cursed. “Fuck!” he roared. Panting, we both climbed into bed.
Two hours later, Marcus checked his phone and Mrs. Renee confirmed with a text she had Harley before he wrapped his arm around me. A kiss landed beside my ear.
“Mia, I need your full commitment to this relationship,” he said.
“Why do you want a commitment?” I questioned, and my body rolled over.
He hovered his face over mine. “I’ve been upfront with you since the day we met. I want to hear you say it.”
Marcus prodded his way into my neck, and I giggled from his beard, brushing up against my skin. “Okay...Okay. I am willing to give us a full, committed effort,” I said.
He repeated kisses on my face.
“Let’s get you packed up,” he said and raised himself.
My mouth parted by his statement as he motioned to get off the bed. Resting on my elbows, I said, “I haven’t agreed to live with you but I did make someone a promise. Afterwards, we will figure out how I will split my time,” I said.
Marcus examined me as if I asked for his last dollar.
“My woman and child will be in the same location. Let’s go, beautiful,” he coached and I surrendered, at least until Mrs. Eddy came back.
“Baby, it’s going to be fine,” Marcus said as he wrapped his hands around my waist.
I slanted my head over to the side and watched him display confidence back through the mirror. This entire situation torpedoed at the speed of light from, “hello my name is…” I should’ve said no to the amazing sex, the power of attorney papers, and moving into his house over the weekend. But I wanted this, and I knew it was selfish of me. Instead of analyzing everything on paper, I put the blindfold on and drove through the construction site. I hope my eagerness doesn’t hurt Marcus and Harley.
“Marcus, my dad is going to question everything. He is going to ask things we haven’t figured out yet. My mom is going to have Harley in a beauty pageant before she leaves. I need you to stand your ground with Trendy. My mother is rich and bored,” I said.
He kissed my neck again and then my temple.
“Being honest is all we need to do. Mrs. Robinson can’t be as bad as you're implying,” he said.
I turned to him. “She bought me three of the same cars in different colors for my sixteenth birthday to match my mood. When the seasons changed in college, she sent a stylist instead of the sweaters I requested. Last year, she bought me a beachfront property in San Diego. If Harley sneezes, she will buy her a tissue factory. The woman is over the top and Dad gets upset when she spends her own money instead of his,” I said.
Marcus laughed as if I was joking, but he had been warned. The sound of the doorbell rushed my body with panic. We locked hands and walked into the living room, where Harley and Ms. Eddy sat. I opened the door and my mother’s smile almost made me close it. The devious intent in her eyes was on full display as she danced her brows. One look at Harley and it’s over.
“Mom,” I said, and we embraced each other.
“Where is Harley?” she whispered in my ear.
“No,” I said, and she smiled, side-stepped me, and walked into the house.
My mother was ready to be a grandmother and wanted a child to spoil. Due to fertility issues and several failed pregnancies, I was her only child. After she found out I was a girl, it satisfied her desire for children.
“Marcus,” she said, and my eyes found my father’s warm, brown, concerned eyes.
“Hi, Daddy,” I said and patted his chest.
Clarence Robinson was the glue of our small family. He was driven and ambitious, creating wealth for his family. My personality mirrored his, quiet and reserved, but we both did things to make my mother happy. We joked about her being our little extrovert behind her back.
“I should have . . . ”
“Does he treat you right? Are you ignoring the red flags?” he questioned.
I patted his chest. “We are still new, but he’s treated me better than anyone thus far.”
“Okay,” he said.
Locking arms with my dad, we walked inside to see my mother already greeting Mrs. Eddy. I gave Marcus’s entire family the play book on my mother. Our personalities balanced each other. I was calmer and she was extravagant.
“And who are you?” she said to Harley, exaggerating each word.
“I’m Harley. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Robinson.”
Mom turned to me and smiled before returning her attention to Harley.
“You are beautiful. Those cheekbones and your flawless skin. Please share your skin care routine.”
“Water,” Harley said in a confident tone, and raised brows.
The room cackled, and Harley shrugged. She will soon find out Harley was a sixty-year-old woman who believed her granny’s word was law.
“Marcus, Mrs. Eddy, and Harley, please meet my dad, Clarence Robinson. Dad, please meet everyone,” I said.
Marcus extended his hand to my dad, and they exchanged a shake. Their eye contact was strong, but the energy between them stood more on the side of respect. My father broke their connection and strolled over to greet Mrs. Eddy. He kissed her hand, and she blushed afterward, giving Marcus a smirk. He shook his head as they shared a comical, secret language.
“Dinner is ready. Harley can you lead the group to the kitchen,” I asked.
She stood and first headed over to help her grandmother stand. Mrs. Eddy gripped the chair, and my father extended his hand to help her.
“Everyone, please follow me,” Harley said.
The group migrated behind her as I stayed back with Marcus. We held hands as I gathered my nervousness. From the living room, I grinned as my father pulled the ladies’ chairs back. Hands tangled, Marcus and I entered the kitchen.
“Tonight, dinner is smothered chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and fresh sautéed vegetables. The iced tea was brewed by Harley. Marcus will serve the women, and I will serve the men,” I said.
My mother called and asked about the menu earlier today. When I told her Mrs. Eddy walked me through the homemade gravy, she kissed her teeth in excitement. My parents were loaded with money, but they couldn’t escape their southern roots. Trendy could shop at a high-end boutique during the day and shell peas by night.
“Mrs. Eddy, tell us, do you enjoy Texas?” my mother asked.
With my back facing the table, my heart smiled at our families being together.
“It’s hot down here, but people are nice,” she answered.
“And what about you, Harley? Do you enjoy school?” my mother asked.
I passed Marcus a completed plate, and as our hands touched, my heart skipped a beat.
“It’s okay. I miss my friends in Ohio. Daddy said we could call them. But I love Ms. Mia’s pool,” Harley said.
On the initial purchase of my house, I didn’t care about the pool. In fact, I spoke with several landscapers and contractors about covering it. But Mom convinced me to keep it.
“My pool is bigger than Mia’s, and I have a waterfall. You should come over and swim some time. We could fill the pool with floaties, and you can invite some friends over,” my mother offered.
“Yes. We should do it. I have two friends,” Harley said with her voice reaching another octave.
“And the spoiling has begun,” I said, loud enough for Marcus to hear.
He smirked as I rolled my eyes. With two plates in hand, he served my mother and Mrs. Eddy. By the time he came back, I had Harley’s plate prepared. I had already cut her chicken, something he informed me she needed during prep. My father kissed my hand, after I sat his plate on the brown place setting.
Marcus instructed me to sit, pulling back my chair. He served my plate, making himself last. I frowned at not being able to serve him. As a family, we locked hands and prayed.
“Marcus, I hear you’re a running back,” Trendy said and I dropped my head.
“Ma’am, I’m a wide receiver, but it’s the same game. Mia tells me you’re responsible for her heart and sense of style,” he said.
If Trendy smiled any harder, she could’ve been a dentist.
“Mia does get her manners and sense of style from me,” my mother said.
“How did she get into podcasting?” Marcus asked.
My father cleared his throat, and I smiled. Memories of being on the set of the sports news and watching interviews pushed me to pursue a journalism and marketing degree.
“I’ll take the credit for her interest in interviewing. It’s all about asking the tough questions. Chasing the story.” Clarence’s words were filled with passion as his chest inflated.
He loved researching and collecting people’s life stories. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his interview with disgraced boxer, Evan Pounds. People were hooked to their televisions after he was banned by the boxing commission.
“I wanted Mia to continue with her ballet lessons. She could’ve been a principal ballerina by now,” Trendy said.
Harley’s eyes widened as she glared at me. “You were a ballerina?” she questioned, trembling with excitement.
My mother grossly overstated my involvement in ballet. I danced for maybe three years to make her happy. This was a ploy by my mother to recruit Harley.
“Oh, Harley. She was fabulous. I have the pictures to prove it.”
I shook my head no at my mother, but it was too late. She had sparked the interest in Harley’s heart.