Ryland #2
“According to her, he does. When I brought up her husband, she was quick to tell me that Karl was cool with whatever she did as long as she kept it on the low. I wasn’t fucking with a married woman on any level.
Not even if she had a green light to creep on her man, so I blocked her.
She kept stalking me and shit though. I think it was more about her being pissed that I wouldn’t give in.
For all I know, she might be the one behind this. ”
“You really think he’s pushing for a trade because you refuse to fuck his wife.”
I shrugged. “Crazier shit has happened.”
“What did Sov say? Because I know she’s not standing for any of this.”
“She said to give her a few days, but honestly, it’s all about politics and egos. I can’t do shit with that. If they want me gone, it’s happening, then I’m fucking screwed. I have to think about Rylee. I’m already moving her from one place and dragging her to another city isn’t fair.”
“Nah, it’s not, but it’s also not happening. We’re a package deal. We started as Sharks and we’re retiring as Sharks. Let Sov do her thing. She’ll get this shit right.”
“I damn sure hope so.”
He tossed back his drink. “Now can we talk about ol’ girl?”
I frowned. “What about her?”
“You fuck her yet?”
“No, and I’m not going to.”
That was what my mouth said but my dick disagreed. It had been eager for action since she got here, which had me trying hard to think of anything but Somee to keep him under control.
“Yeah you are. Now that I’ve seen her, it all makes sense why you pushed so hard to have her here.”
I got pissed with the idea of Omiri checking Somee out but understood it wasn’t anything other than an observation. He was happily married and no one could ever compete with Makari. But still…
“It’s not about that. She’s here for Rylee and I’m damn sure glad she agreed. There’s so much I haven’t even considered. Things I didn’t know that could have had me fumbling this shit.”
I tossed back my drink and brushed a hand over my head, revisiting all the things Somee shared.
The understanding of what Rylee’s life was like living with Felicia, knowing it was exactly as I’d expected, made me want to find Felicia just to cuss her the fuck out.
How could she seclude her own child, not giving her the ability to have a voice to communicate?
Not even providing the simple shit like comfort and basic needs.
I had to let that go because it made my heart cold and I didn’t want her to have room in my life, not even like that.
“You’re giving her a home, everything she needs, and I know you’re gonna show up for her. That’s really all that matters.”
All the details Somee ran down for me about how I needed to consider things that hadn’t even crossed my mind plagued me.
I shook my head. “Nah, not with Rylee. Being deaf changes everything. There’s so much more to consider. Things my money can’t weigh in on. I have a lot to learn and I don’t want to fuck this up.”
Omiri chuckled and shook his head. “Damn, one day in and you’re already a different person. Kids fuck up your entire world but in the best way.”
“This is not how I saw my life playing out,” I admitted. Omiri was my boy and I could tell him anything without judgment.
He grinned smugly. “It’s gonna be kind of hard to keep running through women with a six-year-old at the crib waiting on you.”
“That definitely complicates things,” I muttered, considering my sex life was about to drastically change. As quickly as the thought surfaced, so did the idea of having a temporary solution to my problem.
Somee being that temporary solution shot straight to my dick just as she and Makari appeared in the entrance of the living room.
Makari moved to her husband and dropped onto his lap.
His arms adjusted without thought to accommodate her.
When Somee found a seat near me but not on me, I found myself annoyed that we didn’t have the same type of bond.
Not the marriage per se, but the comfort level where she was at ease in my personal space.
I almost fucking laughed because why would my mind go there?
“She looks so sweet, Land, and that’s wild because she has your whole face. I can’t wait to officially meet her. And her room is adorable. I’m surprised you pulled it off. I thought for sure that was all Somee but she let me know you did it on your own.”
Somee was at an angle where she couldn’t view Makari’s face unless Makari turned her head. I summarized and repeated what Makari said, signing the words to Somee.
“She likes Rylee’s room and is giving me shit for pulling it off. She thought it was all you.” I spoke as I signed, then addressed Makari. “Good to know you think so highly of me.”
This time when Makari spoke, she turned her head to be sure Somee had a clear view of her face. “Don’t let him convince you that he’s one of the good ones. He’s not. Straight up ain’t shit man, but he’s big bro, so I still love him.”
I laughed and shot her a bird. I didn’t bother signing what Makari said because based on the smile Somee displayed, she’d caught every word.
“I’m not one of the good ones. I’m the best one. Whoever is blessed enough to get my time will be lucky as hell for sure.”
Makari signed, “Arrogant ass.”
Somee laughed. A full blown laugh that felt so fucking perfect I wanted more of those. The low rasp of her voice felt like a gift.
“Of all the shit you could have learned, that’s what you went with,” I signed and spoke at the same time.
“What she say?” Omiri asked.
“Arrogant ass.”
He chuckled, shaking his head, not surprised at his wife. Makari shared, “One of the first videos that came up when I searched ASL tutorials was cuss words and negative attributes. Since this was you, I figured ass and arrogant would be used at some point so I learned both.”
Somee flashed a smile and I shook my head. “What happened to it’s all love, Kari?”
“It is all love. Love hurts, so I hurt your feelings any chance I get.” She leaned back into Omiri. “Baby, we should go. Somee had a long day.”
“Man, it was your idea to pull up on them.”
I signed the conversation between Omiri and Makari so Somee wouldn’t be left out and her hands were moving.
“You don’t have to rush.”
“She said you don’t have to rush,” I signed and Makari shook her head and turned to Somee.
“No, we’re going to go. We’ll have plenty of time to hang out and get to know each other.” She held up the crystal covered device in her hand. “I have your number.”
After Makari and Omiri were gone, Somee went upstairs to shower and chill for the rest of the night.
I finished cleaning the kitchen and decided to check in with my parents since I hadn’t talked to them since losing the game.
They’d both texted and my mother called but I just wasn’t in the headspace to talk to either of them knowing they would try to make me feel better and that wasn’t happening.
My life was really messed up right now and I didn’t know that I would come out on the best side of things.
I walked into the theatre room and settled into one of the recliners, powering up the screen to pull up Sports Center Live, not sure why because it was only going to piss me off. A part of me needed to know what type of craziness was attached to my name.
I turned the sound down low and dialed my father. It was just after nine here, which meant it was eight something there. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey son, I was hoping you would call. Did you get my text?”
“I did, sorry, just not really in the headspace to talk.”
“I figured. Your mother’s worried about you with the loss and all the trade talk.”
I dropped my head back on the sofa and sighed. “Tell her I’m good and stop worrying.”
“I’m not telling her a damn thing but you will after we’re done. Not that it will do any good. Your mother wants to worry, she’s going to worry.”
I smirked because he sounded amused and frustrated at the same time. I had years of learning how they functioned. She was giving him hell because I hadn’t responded to her texts and calls, which meant she was on his ass to make me comply.
“She threatened a flight out here yet?”
“You know she did,” he said, his tone light. “Now tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s the league. It happens. I’m handling it.”
He was quiet for a minute. “Anything you want to talk about?”
“No, Pops. Sovoya’s working on it and I’m focused on other stuff so I don’t make it worse.”
“Good to know. They settling in?”
My parents knew the plans for me to fly in Sunday after the game to bring Rylee and Somee back to Crescent Falls.
My mother was thrilled that Somee was going.
My father was glad I would have help but expressed that I needed to handle things properly.
Translation, keep her out of my bed and stay out of hers.
I assured him that no lines would be crossed.
That was easier said than done now that I had Somee here at my house.
“They are.” I smiled. “Rylee loves her room. She damn near spent the day there and didn’t want to leave.”
“Sounds familiar,” he said and I grinned at his reference to how I was the first couple weeks after moving in with them.
“That was different. I was trying to stay out of the way.”
“Yeah, but your mother wasn’t having that.”
I chuckled. “No, she wasn’t.”
“But how are you, Land? A lot of changes happening right now.”
“I’m good, Pops. I promise. I can figure out the stuff with the team later. Right now I need to work on getting Rylee set up here and that’s going to take all my focus.”
“If you need us, we’re a call away.”
“I know but I’m good for now.”
“Just know we’re here for you.”
“I appreciate that more than you know. Can I holler at Mom really quick? It’s been an exhausting twenty-four hours and I think I’m going to crash early tonight.”
“Yeah, hang on. I’m sure she’s in the hallway pacing, waiting for me to hand the phone over.”
I chuckled because she probably was. A few seconds later he called her name and I heard shuffling, followed by her voice.