Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cadence
sometime later…
A few months ago, there was no version of my life that looked anything like this one.
I thought about that as I drove across town toward the nail salon where Janae and Lani were waiting for me. The radio played softly in the background, but I wasn’t paying much attention to it. My mind was somewhere else.
Tomorrow was Titan’s first game back.
Even thinking about it felt surreal. There had been a time when neither one of us knew how long his recovery would take. What surprised me more than anything was how genuinely happy I was. The last several months had come with plenty of unexpected twists and moments of uncertainty.
For years, my life had followed a plan. Graduate… get my degree… start my career. Every goal was lined up in front of me, and I was determined to check them off one by one. Then Titan came along and completely disrupted everything but made it better at the same time.
If somebody had told me that I’d be living with Titan, carrying his baby, and spending my afternoon getting ready for his playoff return, I would’ve laughed in their face.
Back then, I was doing everything I could to keep my distance from him.
I was convinced we had nothing in common, convinced that our worlds were too different to ever fit together.
Looking back on it now, I could admit that I was wrong… very wrong.
By the time I pulled into the parking lot, Janae and Lani were already standing near the salon door. I grabbed my phone and dropped my key fob into my purse before joining them.
“About time,” Janae started.
“I would say you was letting my brother up your butt, but he had training this morning, so it’s all you,” Lani added.
“Your brother is right… you’re nosy as hell,” I laughed as we walked inside of the salon.
The receptionist checked us in and sent us toward the pedicure chairs near the back. We were offered drinks, and I chose a sparkling wine since I couldn’t drink, even though I would’ve rather had a margarita with an extra shot of tequila.
“So,” Lani said, glancing over at me. “How you feeling about tomorrow?”
“I’m excited, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous too. I don’t want him to go back out there before he’s ready, but I know that’s not happening,” I uttered.
“I get it,” Janae expressed. “But you know your man… even before the relationship, Mr. Franchise does what he wants.” She smirked, causing Lani to agree.
“Don’t I know it, but he’s been working hard, though. I don’t think people realize how much rehab messes with your head when you’re used to your body doing whatever you tell it to do.”
“That nigga just don’t like nobody telling him what to do,” Lani added, then looked at me with a grin. “And probably because he got you at home making him act like he has sense.”
“Chy, please.” I waved her off. “He still does whatever he wants,” I simpered.
“We can tell.” Janae smirked as she leaned over and touched my stomach.
I looked down at my stomach and rubbed my hand over it once. “A lot changed fast.”
I tuned those fools out as I read the email that popped up on my phone. The second I saw Cannon Hills Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, my stomach tightened.
Dear Ms. Mitchell,
On behalf of Cannon Hills Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, we are pleased to offer you the position of Physical Therapy Assistant within our Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Department.
Your anticipated start date will be February 16, 2027, pending successful completion of onboarding requirements.
This position includes an annual salary of $78,500, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, retirement contributions, continuing education reimbursement, certification assistance, and eligibility for annual performance incentives.
We believe your academic achievements, clinical experience, and dedication to patient care make you an excellent addition to our organization. We are confident you will be a valuable member of our team and look forward to supporting your continued professional growth.
Please review the attached offer letter and return a signed copy within five business days.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Cannon Hills Sports Medicine family.
Sincerely,
Lauren WhitfieldDirector of Rehabilitation Services
This was an actual offer. A real job. The exact type of opportunity I’d spent years working toward.
For so long, graduation had been the goal that I hadn’t really stopped to think about what came next.
Now the answer was sitting in my inbox, and for a few seconds, everything else around me disappeared.
Apparently, I’d checked out of the conversation long enough for Janae to notice. She stopped talking mid-sentence and narrowed her eyes at me. “You’ve been staring at that phone for entirely too long. You over there sending nasty videos?”
“What? Bitch, you’re nasty,” I laughed, and she shrugged.
I handed my phone to Janae and let her read the email before I passed it to Lani. Once she was done, she passed it back at me with a smile on her face.
“Congratulations, sis. I’m happy for you.” She beamed.
“Me too, boo. You really did that shit and now get to live out your dream. I love that for you,” Janae added.
A few months ago, everything felt uncertain.
I didn’t know how I was going to handle the financial aid situation.
I didn’t know what my career was going to look like after graduation.
Hell, I didn’t know I’d be pregnant. Looking back now, it felt like my entire life had changed in a matter of months.
“I worked hard for this,” I said quietly.
“You did and since you and your man got money… I’ll be moving in. Hell, I can be the live-in nanny,” Janae suggested with a smirk.
“I know you fucking lying,” I cackled.
“Shit, I know I’m moving in. Ain’t no need of paying rent when I can just move in with y’all,” Lani input.
“You don’t pay your rent now,” I countered.
“One less bill my brother has to worry about.” She shrugged.
I just laughed because if we ever got a bigger place or if either suggested moving in, Titan would do it with no hesitation.
By the time we got done and had lunch, I was sleepy and ready to go take a nap. I called Mama while I drove so I could stay up and tell her my good news.
“Hey, baby,” she answered.
“Hey, Mama. What you doing?”
“Nothing… was about to get ready to go out,” she informed me.
I knew she always dated, but this guy she was seeing now, she seemed to be pretty serious about.
“Aight, now. Don’t come back home with no babies,” I joked.
“Girl, bye,” she laughed. “It sounds like you’re driving. Where you going or coming from?” She asked.
“Out with Nae and Lani,” I informed. “And guess what?”
“What’s that?”
I told her all about the job offer that I received while I was out, and by the time I told her about everything in the email, I could tell she was crying.
“I’m so proud of you, baby. I really am,” she praised.
“Thank you, Mama. This wasn’t the only job I applied for, but it was the one I wanted the most. For them to be the first to reach out to me had me elated.”
“I bet. Have you told Titan yet?” She asked.
“No, I’m waiting until he gets home. Then I’ll tell him,” I responded.
We talked until I got home, and after I told her to call me when she got home, we hung up and I made my way inside.
About twenty minutes after I got home, the front door opened and Titan finally made it back to the condo.
The second he walked through the door… he headed straight toward me. I barely had enough time to stand before he leaned down and kissed me. The kiss lasted all of a second before I turned my head and pushed at his chest.
“Wassup, Tink?” He frowned.
“You’re funky.”
“Man, I just left practice,” he laughed.
“And?”
He kissed the side of my forehead before heading toward the kitchen, and I followed behind him.
“How was practice?” I asked.
“Shit… it’s better now that I can actually do something besides conditioning.”
“What did your coach say?”
“He said if Mercer clears me tomorrow morning, then I’m good.”
“Okay, Mr. Franchise.” I smiled.
Titan rolled his eyes.
“Don’t start.”
“You see your boy.” He smirked.
“I got some good news today,” I blurted.
“What kind of news?” He frowned.
Instead of responding, I slid him my phone. I watched intently as he read over the email. His face held very little expression, but when he looked up, he was showcasing that damn dimple.
Titan slid my phone back to me and smiled.
“I’m proud of you, Tink. You were determined to do this shit even if you gave me a hard time about it, but you did it, baby,” he praised.
“Thank you.”
“I told you to stop thanking me… this was all you,” he demanded. “Now, come on and take a shower with me since you’re complaining about me being funky, so we can celebrate.” He smirked as he pulled me up from the stool.
Most days I couldn’t believe this was what my life was, and the others, I knew I wouldn’t have it any other way.