Chapter 12
twelve
. . .
“How do game days go?” Aurora’s raspy voice asked.
After slipping out of the club last night, she’d spent her time where Khalif shared she should’ve been in the first place.
“Smoothie, stretch, centering. Dominate, back home to some food and sleep,” Khalif shared, turning on the blender.
“What do you put in it?”
“Apples, spinach, kale, peanut butter, and a banana. I’ll have another smoothie when I get to the facility and nothing two hours before the game. Just water.”
“What do you want to eat?” Aurora asked, trying to be sure she could be good at this thing they were doing.
“Besides you?” he asked, making her blush.
“Haven’t had enough?”
“Hell no. If I didn’t want to win today, I would’ve woken you up,” he said, opening the microwave and handing her a plate. Sausage, cheese eggs, and toast. “Eat up. I kinda skipped over feeding you last night.”
“I didn’t even think about it, thank you. Back to what you want to eat?”
“You have a test tomorrow don’t you?”
“Yes and a paper due, too.”
“We’ll eat out after the game, come home and sleep.”
“You have all of this thought out, don’t you?”
Khalif stopped the blender and poured his smoothie into a large cup. “Yes, because you require it.”
Aurora took a bite and pushed her hair out of her face. “I need to go home and get something to wear.”
“I got a car picking up your grandma and there’s some clothes in the closet for you. The JoyRide will be here at noon to take you to the stadium. There’s a family tailgate before kickoff. I’ll have y’all in the family box. Rodney invited Synia, so you’ll be good.”
Aurora looked at him with stars in her eyes. “Thank you for ensuring I feel comfortable.”
“I want you comfortable with me. If you’re comfortable, you’re yourself. That’s what I want – all of you.”
“Stop talking that shit before your dick is back down my throat and you don’t win this game. I do not want to be blamed for a loss.”
Khalif laughed, kissed her face, and agreed. “You right. And it won’t be you. I’ll be trash for the next week, a whole bunch of sports commentators with a whole lot to say.”
“Does it bother you?”
“Nah, that’s noise. It used to matter but I’ve shut them up over and over again. They can talk but it doesn’t mean shit to me.” Khalif looked at the time on his new phone and slightly groaned. “Come give me a kiss.”
Aurora, without hesitation, moved into his space, rose to her tiptoes, and kissed his lips. “Have a good game, I’ll be there cheering as loud as I can.”
Khalif smacked her ass. “I appreciate that. See you on the other side?”
“I’ll see you on the other side.”
Khalif offered another deep kiss before groaning once more and pulled away from her. Aurora watched as he grabbed his bag and headed out of the side door. Finding the time and touching her hair, she huffed, “Let me pull myself together.”
Right on time, the JoyRide pulled up ready to pick her up and drive her to meet her grandmother at the tailgating area for the families. Aurora stepped out of the blacked-out car upon seeing her grandmother and Synia and strutted over.
“Ohhh, designer,” Synia pointed out Aurora’s new Ameechii black cargo pants paired with a crop top and jean jacket. Cute, relaxed, and not too much for a football game. Unlike some of the other women in red bottoms and heels higher than their hopes.
“Cute, right?” Aurora said as she hugged Madeline. “You’re cute too.”
Madeline posed in her skinny jeans and vintage jersey, and her silver hair pulled into a high ponytail. “I might find you a step-granddaddy.”
“Grandma, please,” Aurora groaned.
“What, you two can get rode hard and put away wet. I can’t? I’m still living,” Madeline offered.
“Indeed, you are,” Aurora stated, locking her arm in Madeline’s. “Let’s tailgate and watch some football.”