Chapter 45
Antonio
“Congratulations on another win. What’s the feeling heading through the season undefeated?”
I glance down the row of microphones to Cho, Kendrick, and Coach Washington. Three sets of eyes land on me.
Guess I’m taking this one.
“We’ve worked hard,” I say to the cameras, folding my arms on the table.
“The preparation is in the results and what we’ve been able to achieve.
Coach is on our a—”—family friendly—“butts with the fundamentals, and we try to apply them every opportunity we get. The Steel are solid, but we’re not sleeping on anyone.
DC fought hard today. We’ll see them on their pitch in a few weeks. ”
Concise.
Diplomatic.
No curse words.
Post-game press conferences are exhausting. The last thing any of us wants to do after eighty minutes of hard collision is answer the same questions over and over.
How do you feel after your win? Good.
What was going on with those errors? If we knew, we wouldn’t have made them.
Are you happy with your performance? Code word: I’m about to tell you how you fucked up.
Media training keeps the smile on my face and the FCC away.
I’m happy the sport is getting the attention it deserves, but I’d be happier if I could eat or take a shit without worrying about cameras and who still needs an interview.
I haven’t done either, and I have one more question in me before I pass out on this table.
I haven’t spoken to Miriam since before the game. We tunneled up with the other team before we jogged off to the locker room for a few quick words from the coaching staff. Then came the interviews.
My phone is still in my locker. Knowing Miriam, she dodged traffic and overstimulation by hightailing it out of here.
Journalists and podcasters fire off questions the others take turns answering. The field house we’re in isn’t small, but the eight-foot table we’re at, plus rugby staff, security, and on-air talent and their crew make it a tight fit.
Movement near the door pulls my attention. A smile lifts my cheek at the winter hat bopping to the corner.
She came.
Miriam is barely visible between the tripods and the press gunning for a viral clip. Her height does her no favors, but I don’t need to see her. I feel her.
“There’s speculation that Mancini might relocate the team to Toronto to solidify his business interests. Care to comment?”
What?
The question comes from somewhere in the audience. I force my brows to stay in place and my mouth not to twist. Remember your media training. My eyes dart to Coach, who leans forward.
“We’re not aware of any rumors. We’re focused on a healthy team, finishing the season strong, and making Buffalo proud,” he says, scanning the room.
“This team already makes me proud, and I’ll continue to show up for them the way they show up for each other.
If there aren’t any more questions about today’s game, let’s get these guys home. ”
Coach Washington motions for us to leave.
“Did you hear anything about a move?” Kendrick asks through a practiced smile I return.
“Nope, but that might explain why the prick hasn’t come to a single game.”
In the grand scheme of things, moving to Toronto wouldn’t be the worst news. At least we’d still have a team. I could figure out how to stay in Buffalo and make it to practice. Toronto traffic is a bitch, but it’s better than being traded to another team on the other side of the country.
I lock eyes with Julian and nod at Kendrick. “See you back at the house.”
“Thanks for coming, bro.” I hug my best friend. “Is that Jackson on the phone? What’s up, big man?”
“Hey, Uncle Ant,” Jackson says. His low fade matches his stepdad’s. “Good game.”
“Thanks. One day, we’ll be watching yours.”
That gets a smile. “Maybe my dad can buy a team. We’re good for it.”
“Aye, you don’t know what’s in my pockets,” Julian laughs.
Jackson’s face turns serious. “Will you make it home in time for my game tomorrow?”
Julian’s voice softens. “I’m on my way to the airport now. I’ll be home before you go to bed, son. I’ll see you soon, okay? Love you.” He ends the call and rolls his eyes. “Don’t start.”
“You’re a good man, Charlie Brown.”
“Dumbass. Keep me updated with your team. My son might need one when it’s time.”
“Make it happen.” Having my best friend own the team would be better than Mancini. “Thanks for coming over from New York City. Safe travels. Love to the family.”
The room clears, leaving Buffalo Steel banners, empty chairs, and her.
“Hey, superstar.” Miriam’s quiet laughter floats across the distance I cut in three strides. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, baby.” I kiss her once, twice, and pull her to my chest. The halo of her rose oil floats up to my nostrils. “I’m happy you came,” I tell her with my chin on her head.
“Me too.”
“Marcela bullied you into staying?”
“Pretty much—but!” Her dimples squeeze her cheeks. “I am proud of you, Antonio,” she says, her voice soft and gaze steady. “I’d pass out in front of those cameras, but you’re in your element. It’s remarkable to experience up close.”
“That means more than you know, Doe.”
Her lips part, drawing my mouth to hers.
“You’re still here!” Reese rushes in with caffeinated energy levels and a deep frown.
“I took care of Aaron. That jerk is always fishing for a story, and he’ll fabricate one to make his stupid podcast relevant.
I blocked him on Match Meet. It’s not surprising he acted a whole fool with that question about Toronto.
“Who knows where he got that conspiracy theory. It’s rare to hear from Mancini, but what else is new?
We’re fine! I’ll release a press statement if it comes to it.
You have a meeting on your calendar with a furniture company who’s interested in hiring you for a commercial.
Legal is taking a look. Do you think you can squeeze in a quick school appearance before Monday’s—Oh, hi! ”
Reese peels her eyes away from the tablet in front of her face. Walking while scheduling is her superpower. She sure as hell doesn’t watch where she’s going.
“I didn’t realize you had company.” Her cheeks pink to match her blouse. It’s tucked into light pink pants with polka dots and silk fabric patches. No doubt a Gordon Gartrelle original.
“All good, Reese. This is Miriam,” I say. “Doe, this is Reese, the team’s media manager.”
“It’s nice—”
“You’re Miriam! I’ve heard so much about you—all good things. I’m a hugger. Is that okay?”
“Your tablet is digging into my chest,” Miriam says from Reese’s bear hug, which is smushing her glasses and face.
Reese’s eyes widen. She steps back and smooths the edges of her high, loose ponytail. “Sorry. It’s nice not breathing in testosterone for a change. I don’t have many friends because of my job. I probably shouldn’t admit that.”
Miriam’s lips quirk. “I don’t either—outside of Antonio, who doesn’t count anymore.”
I frown. “Hey!”
She muffles a laugh. “You know what I mean. I almost went on a bus tour to meet new people after I moved here.”
“The beer-and-greet? You didn’t miss a thing.” Reese rolls her eyes. “Only six people showed. They talked about football the whole night. Do I look like I watch? I missed an Alien marathon,” she scoffs.
Miriam’s grin widens. “I love the franchise. I want to rewatch all of the movies in chronological order. You’re welcome to join me, if that’s not weird.”
“Sure! That is, if I’m not intruding.” Reese peeks at me.
“Why don’t you come to Steel House? My TV is bigger, and I’ll stay out of the way.” Kendrick will lose his shit once he finds out Reese is under the same roof.
“Perfect! Antonio can give me your number, if that’s okay. I’ll text you next week!” Reese bear-hugs Miriam again before bouncing away.
“I like her.”
The smile in Miriam’s voice sparks my own. “She’s cool, but don’t get any ideas about replacing me. Come on.”
“From now on, we’re staying at your house.” Miriam’s loose bun of curls rolls over my chest.
She moans at the steak fajita I press to her mouth. My dick stirs when her lips graze my fingertips.
I adjust myself and peck her shoulder. “You can stay here for as long as you like.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time. This is amazing.”
The jacuzzi in the backyard of Steel House has mileage. It’s a place for recovery after practice, home games, and whatever else I don’t care to know about. It gets cleaned weekly, which made tonight a no-brainer with Miriam.
The guys are out wreaking havoc in somebody’s club, and I’m at home with my lady. I have her, the fajita platters we ordered, jets massaging my battered muscles, and the cold night sky.
“Are you nervous about the team’s possible move?”
I lean back on the neck rest and open when Miriam feeds me a bite of chicken. Water droplets cling to her warm mocha hue. The jets’ lights bathe her soft curves in silhouette. We’re both naked, hidden from the world by the canopy of white fabric around the wooden jacuzzi deck.
“No,” I say truthfully, my arms stretched along the back of the tub. “Mancini always acts like he wants to get rid of us. Same shit, different day. We’ll be good, I’ll make sure of it.”
She sets the plate with the remnants of our dinner on the deck. Her heavy breasts lift from the water, granting me a peek at her dark nipples. The tips brush against my skin when she straddles me. I kiss the flesh above her heart and gaze into eyes I’ve loved for what feels like an eternity.
I always loved Miriam, even when I didn’t fully understand it or believe I was capable. I adore her mind, take pleasure in her body, and will never get enough of her spirit. Her presence shattered the hard shell I built to keep myself from feeling or imagining more.
She’s my person, in every lifetime. I’ll never deserve her, but I’ll wake up every day trying.
She slides her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek. “I believe it will happen. You have a way of making dreams come true.”
“You are my dream come true.”
The kiss Miriam initiates is slow. She tilts my chin to glide her tongue over my lip.
I moan at the slow roll of her hips over my erection, widen my legs, and suck a nipple into my mouth.
Miriam bites her lip when I slowly circle my tongue over the sensitive buds on her areola.
Her eyes are closed, head tilted toward the galaxy we fly to whenever we’re together.
She lifts her body and shivers as she sucks me into her pussy inch by inch.
Her jaw slacks, and she stares at me with the same reverence I hold for her.
Tonight, I don’t want to think about rugby, my schedule, or what will happen to the team. Everything I need is right in front of me.