25. Reeling
CHAPTER 25
REELING
MILES
I arrive home two days later and find Lola and Delilah in the living room. It’s evening and they’ve probably eaten already,but I smell something delicious in the air.
“Hey.”
“You’re home. Long flight?”
Delilah smiles in my direction, but she doesn’t meet my eyes and I wonder what is going on here. Lola makes up for it by grinning at me as she bounds across the room into my arms.
“Daddy home!”
“I’m home, sweet girl. How are you?”
I hug her tightly, breathing in the sweet fruity scent of her shampoo as she babbles about life. I gather there’s been a lot of playing and there’s even a snippet about my sister in there, but I’m looking at Delilah the entire time while she’s still not making eye contact with me.
“Did you go out with Auntie Brynn? What did you do with her?”
That means that Delilah might have needed some time alone since I know how busy my sister is with school. Brynn adores Lola but she can’t find a lot of time to spend time with her, as much as she’d like. They’re going to be best friends when Lola is older, and I love the idea.
I figure out they went to the movies and for ice cream and Lola spent the night over there. That left Delilah alone and I wonder if she had plans or maybe a date.
We’re sleeping together regularly, so she wouldn’t need to go on dates unless she really wants more. When would she even have the time or energy? I’m still tired from our late-night text conversations.
That’s it. She’s just tired and giving me some space with my daughter and we’ll have our private time later, after Lola is in bed. I enjoy every moment of her bath and getting ready for bed, reading Lola three books as she cuddles against me. It’s the best feeling aside from having Delilah in my arms, and I kiss her hair before tucking her in.
When I close the door softly and leave Lola with soft music playing in her room, I look around. My body needs Delilah and I walk into the living room to see her folding laundry on the couch with something playing on the TV.
I hurry towards her, and Delilah looks up at me with wide eyes when she hears my footsteps.
“It’s so fucking good to see you.”
I kiss her as I drop beside her, knocking over piles of clean clothes in the process. Delilah groans and I cup her head, holding it in place to deepen the kiss I’ve been craving for days now. It’s fierce and hungry and she gives every bit back to me as our tongues dance together.
This is what I need now.
We end up in my bed, touching and tasting each other as if it’s been years. Delilah seems even more aroused than ever before and grips my hair as she comes around my tongue, begging me to get inside of her.
She is the one to get on her knees, and I grin as I position myself behind her. Delilah moans as I slide inside of her, feeling her tight, wet heat around me as I bury myself. She’s rocking into me before I finish, and we find a careless, rough pattern together easily.
“You’re perfect.”
I grip her hips and keep moving, knowing I’m close to release after the incredible blow job Delilah gave me. I give in to the feeling, feeling myself go over the edge as her orgasm floods me. We both cry out softly and ride it out before collapsing together.
“That was a little rough. Sorry. I was happy to see you.”
I reach over to stroke Delilah’s damp hair, and she jerks in response. What the hell? I just had wild sex with this woman, but a touch scares her?
“I feel the same way. You felt how into it I was, Miles.”
“I felt that a little more than usual. Are these travel weeks getting to you like they are me? I’m guessing so, since Lola stayed over with my family.”
“That wasn’t my idea. Brynn wanted to take her to the movies and out for ice cream, and I agreed. Lola needs time with them.”
There’s a hollowness to her voice I don’t like. Delilah sounds like she just shut off emotionally.
“I’m not criticizing you, Delilah. I know you need a break sometimes and Lola needs time with my family. You must be tired spending every day with my girl.”
“I’m tired for sure. Lola isn’t the only reason.”
“What’s wrong Delilah? I can hear something in your voice.”
“Can’t we just have sex all night and fall asleep? I like that idea.”
Who am I to say no to sex? I tell her we’re going to talk soon and give into her addictive kiss, making love to Delilah until I pass out from exhaustion.
I wake up the following day alone, but it’s late and I know Delilah is up with Lola. She’s my hero for being up as late as we were and managing my daughter first thing. Once I take a quick shower and dress for the day, I head into the living room to join them.
Music is playing in there, and toys surround Lola, but I don’t see Delilah. Assuming she’s in the bathroom, I walk into the kitchen to pour some coffee, but the fancy machine Delilah bought for me looks like it hasn’t been used for a few days. The pitcher is clean and cold to the touch.
When I hear footsteps, I turn my head to smile at Delilah. She looks tired and I can’t blame her for it. I make a mental note to let her nap later.
“Do you have something against coffee? This looks like it hasn’t been used today.”
Her face goes pale, and I see something flash in her eyes that looks a lot like panic if I’m reading her right.
“I haven’t wanted any lately and completely forgot to make some for you. I’m sorry. Let me make some right now.”
“I can make coffee, Delilah. It’s fine. I’m just surprised you aren’t taking it in an IV these days.”
“Sometimes, I just don’t want it. I’ve been trying different teas lately that Alli introduced me to. I made eggs and toast for breakfast, and I can make something else for you if you’re hungry.”
I make coffee and focus on the tone in Delilah’s voice. Cooking is the last thing it sounds like she wants to do, and I wonder what’s going on.
“I can do that, too. In fact, I can watch Lola if you want to take a nap. You’re probably tired after last night.”
I feel her eyes on me and turn around. Delilah looks surprised and I arch a brow at her, just wanting to feel comfortable.
“That’s nice. Thank you. She’s fed and playing, and you know her schedule. Are you sure?”
“Of course. You do so much for me around here when I’m gone. Get some rest.”
“Thanks.”
The kitchen is empty a moment later, and I realize Delilah must be exhausted. It’s no surprise, and I finish my coffee and join Lola.
She’s happy to see me and greets me with a hug before introducing me to the new doll that Brynn gave her.
Later that day, during Lola’s nap, I call the house to talk to everyone.
“Hey, Mom. I wanted to call while Lola was down.”
“Miles. It’s good to hear your voice. How are you?”
“I’m good. Got in last night and I’m just chilling here at home. Lola showed me the stuff that Brynn bought for her this morning.”
There’s an accusatory tone in my voice, but I can’t help but laugh. My family will always spoil Lola and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“I told her to take Lola shopping, so blame me. If it was me, there would be double the toys. Is she happy you’re home?”
“Yeah. Always. It‘s great just to have some downtime here after the time away. This trip seemed longer than normal.”
I also got a lecture from my captain about my performance on the ice, but it was a kind one and Mom will never know that.
“Those were some tough games. The talent of the teams is incredible, but you guys did your best. Is everything okay, Miles? You seemed distracted out there.”
Even Mom noticed. Great. She worries enough as it is.
“I think I’m just tired, Mom. It’s going to be a relaxing day for me.”
“Okay. Take care of yourself, even though I know it’s hard. You do so much.”
“We don’t have practice until tomorrow and the game the next day. I’m going to sleep and catch up and we’ll win here at home.”
“We’ll all be there to watch you. I had a great time having Lola the other night. It’s nice that Delilah asks us when she needs some help.”
“She wanted you to watch Lola?”
“Not necessarily for the night, but she asked Brynn if she could take Lola for an afternoon. Plans or something. It was me and your sister that schemed a sleepover.”
Delilah said it was their idea and didn’t mention asking them for help. What the hell is going on?
“I’m glad you are there for her. It has to be a lot, doing this alone when I’m gone.”
“Lola is never a problem, and you know that. Dinner tomorrow night?”
I agree, and we talk for longer before ending the call. Something is going on and I stand from the couch when I hear someone in the kitchen.
Delilah is in there getting water, yawning as she closes the fridge door.
“Good nap?”
She jumps and opens her eyes to look at me.
“Fantastic. Thank you.”
“I just talked to Mom, and she said you asked them to take Lola. Didn’t you say it was their idea?”
I can’t hold back after thinking about things most of the week.
“The sleepover was Brynn’s idea. I asked her to take Lola if she had time so I could meet up with Alli. Is that okay?”
She wants to sound strong, but I see tears in Delilah’s eyes.
“Of course. I just think something is going on with you, Delilah. What is it?”
“I have to tell you. It’s not like I can hide it.”
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as my heart pounds in my chest.
“I asked Brynn to take Lola because I… I have been feeling off lately. Alli called me out and made me take a pregnancy test and it was positive, Miles. I’m pregnant and it’s nothing I planned because I know that’s what women do to celebrities. I am so careful, and I don’t know how this happened.”
“You’re pregnant?”
My stomach drops as I realize the plan to keep Delilah a secret from Andrew and everybody else is over now. I would never walk away from a child of mine or ask a woman to end a pregnancy so it will be out there. I just can’t believe it.
“Yeah. It’s yours in case you’re wondering.”
“I’d never think you were sleeping with several men at once, Delilah. I knew when you said it, but I’m shocked.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose as emotions hit me hard. I’ll never forget learning about Lola and that was hard enough, but two kids?
“I need some time. Lola is napping, and she’ll be up in about an hour. Can you take her? I’m going for a walk.”
“Of course.”
Her voice is a whisper, and I glance at her before heading towards the back door. She’s pale and looks as shell shocked as I feel, but I keep going.
I can’t do this right now.