Epilogue #2
I had no idea what “it takes a village” meant until I needed one and I was so grateful for mine. Marlee moved to Crescent Falls six months after my birthday weekend and my relationships with Makari, Zina, Shiya, and Toya had turned into a sisterhood I hadn’t expected to depend on so much.
After I accepted the role as first grade instruction coach, things began moving at a fast pace. I did so well with the job that they offered a raise and the opportunity to take on the same role for kindergarten to second grade, which meant I now had twelve teachers under me.
The job was perfect, but added a lot more work than I originally anticipated.
However, I made it work and was figuring out my rhythm with getting things done.
Unfortunately, the school year was about to start, and that was always the most stressful time for me because the teachers were preparing and planning for the upcoming school year.
If I could get through the first of September, I could breathe a little bit.
“I think we have dance and cheerleading for the win.”
“Me too because soccer and basketball weren’t it.” I kept my eyes on Rylee, sporting a smug grin.
“Not at all. My girl wasn’t there for either of those.”
I laughed, remembering our trial and error with both.
We signed Rylee up, took her to practice, and quickly learned that the only participation Rylee wanted with either of those sports was to hand out snacks.
Each time the coaches attempted to get my baby to participate, she refused, content with sitting on the sidelines.
That was a lot of wasted time, but her classes at Liberté Abstraite seemed to be a win.
She was also enrolled at Loyd Avenue Rec Center for cheerleading, which was why getting her there was wearing me out.
I tried Chandler Heights, but Ryland shut that down and told me to take her to Loyd Ave on the south side.
He said she needed to experience more than just these rich ass people out here.
According to her brother, Rylee had to get her weight up so she could hold her own in the streets, which was hilarious to me because the only streets he ever allowed her to be in were the ones his privileged lifestyle paid for.
I didn’t argue because I agreed. She needed to be exposed to a little of everything, and so far, our baby was holding her own.
I peeked at Sah’mel, sitting in his carrier between Marlee and me, before I sent my attention to the field where Makari was on the sideline with her and Omiri’s son, Orion, doing her best to prevent him from running onto the field.
He thought it was a game of keep away and was trying to get to his father. She was over him. When I waved and pointed, she dropped her eyes and caught him around the waist just in time before he darted away from Avianna and headed to the field. After she had him on her hip, her hands were moving.
“If he doesn’t keep his ass still, I’m going to let him go out there and get tackled.”
I laughed and shrugged. “That might not work in your favor.”
Omiri didn’t play about either of his kids and sending his son to roam freely amongst a group of six foot plus, three hundred pound football players would grant her divorce papers.
“Don’t nobody care about that man. If he wants to complain, he can come get his bad ass son.” She rolled her eyes and I laughed.
“You’re talking cash shit, but I see he’s not on the field.”
Makari grinned and rolled her eyes again, handing Orion off to Shiya when she approached with her arms out.
“Girl, y’all and these bad ass kids is not it.” Marlee leaned down, grinning at Sah’mel before signing and talking to him. “You, my baby, get a pass for now, but I know you’re going to be bad as hell too as soon as you’re mobile.”
He grinned, sucking on his fist while kicking his little feet. “And when he gets mobile and turns into a bad ass, you’re going to love him all the same.”
“You know I am.”
We were in the fourth quarter, and as much as I was enjoying the game, this heat was kicking my ass, so I was ready for them to get this win. I turned my eyes to the field just in time to see the ball snap and the Tigers defense rushing our players.
Neither of our receivers could break free to give Omiri anyone to throw the ball to.
The defensive end came rushing full speed and Ryland created a wall, giving Omiri just enough time to avoid the tackle.
He took off down field with his head up, palming the ball with no options, so he went for it and sprinted to the first down, sliding across the thirty yard line, just enough to move the chains.
“Why didn’t he throw it?” Marlee signed and I pointed to Taven.
“Your man couldn’t get free and we needed the first down. He’s playing like shit. Were y’all together last night?”
She turned to me, smiling smugly before she shook her head. “Nope.”
I laughed and narrowed my eyes accusingly. “That was a terrible lie.”
Marlee grinned and pretended to be focused on our guys lining up, but she really didn’t give a damn about football nor did she have a clue about what was going on.
I was very much aware that she and Taven had a thing, but she wasn’t claiming him.
Every time I asked her about them, Marlee’s response was the same.
She was too grown to be playing games and Taven fucked around with too many women.
That, however, didn’t stop her from being one of those women.
I had her location and crept on it often when she wasn’t returning my texts.
Somehow, she always ended up at Blue Pointe Apartments when she lived in a condo at The Millenium.
That was Marlee’s way of drawing hard lines.
She refused to let him know where she lived.
She said until he got his shit together, he only got limited access.
I asked if she wanted him to get his shit together and she shrugged and said she wasn’t pressed about it.
The dick was good but she wasn’t interested in raising someone else’s son.
With Marlee entertaining Sah’mel, my attention went back to the game.
On the final play of the game, Omiri managed to get a pass down field to Taven, who made it to the end zone.
While he celebrated, I didn’t miss the way his gaze made it right to Marlee who dropped her eyes to her phone.
She didn’t do a damn thing to hide the smile that surfaced.
Yep, she’s full of shit…
“That looks like an invitation for a private celebration.”
She glanced at the field and her focus went right to Taven standing next to Omiri. The two were surrounded by kids signing autographs. “Nope, I have a date.”
“He know that?”
“Why would he? What I do with my time is not his business.” She shrugged and I grinned.
“Oh friend, you’re playing with fire but I’ll keep my opinions to myself and be here with the water hose so you don’t get burned.”
“Not necessary, but thank you.”
“Remember you said that,” I signed before doing a quick scan to find my man. He was high fiving Rylee before the two of them broke into the handshake and little dance they did after every game. She didn’t understand why he didn’t get touchdowns so she could dance with him.
After he did his best to explain his position on the team to Rylee, she decided it wasn’t fair that he didn’t get to celebrate in the end zone, so she told him he could celebrate with her.
Now it was their thing. At the close of every game, they did their little routine.
Sometimes during the games, if Ryland had a good play, he found her in the stands and they did it together from a distance.
I let them have their celebration dance because Ryland communicating with me from the field had gone viral too many times.
The worst was him signing that he was going to get me pregnant after winning the Super Bowl last year.
Thank goodness he didn’t, but trust and believe he damn sure tried since I had just passed my six-week mark after having our son.
The universe did me a solid because two under two was not an aspiration of mine.
I smiled at Ryland as soon as his eyes were on me and his hands were moving. “Come show your man some love.”
I playfully swung my head left and right, then pointed at my chest. “You talking to me?”
“Stop playing and bring your pretty ass over here.” He was standing just outside the tent they had set up for families and I lifted from my chair and made my way to him.
Fisting the front of his jersey, I lifted onto my toes to gain access to his mouth.
After a kiss that had me wishing the practice field was cleared out, I pulled back enough to congratulate him.
“Good game 5-5.”
“My wife is my motivation. Now let me go change so I can take her home and show her how much I appreciate how good she looks wearing my name.”
“I don’t just wear your name, I carry your heart.”
He smiled sexily, lifting his hands again. “You already know what it is. You for me…”
“Me for you.”
Issa wrap!