CHAPTER 5 Game Day With A Twist.
Game Day With A Twist.
Ever since yesterday, I’ve been slightly distraught.
Seeing Sasha for the first time in over two years really threw me.
Then, when Kay explained that she and her brother had purchased their football team, I thought the universe was playing a cruel trick on me, especially since everyone knew how much I loved going to Kay’s games and supporting her whenever I could.
As a matter of fact, I’d only ever missed about three games since she started playing a few years ago.
No, Sasha showing up wouldn’t stop me from supporting Kay, but I already knew that it was about to be so uncomfortable.
I don’t know why, of all the teams available, she and August’s annoying ass had to buy the one that Kay was on.
I’d gone all these years without having to deal with the woman who broke my heart, only for her to show back up after I’d settled into a new normal. It sucked like hell.
I sighed, rolling my shoulders in hopes that the anxiety would ease away with the tension. I was not about to let her ruin my weekend or my life. Was I looking forward to possibly seeing her at the game today? No, but as long as she stayed the fuck away from me and mine, we’d be good.
“Oooh, look how pretty!” I say, turning my attention back to Sera as she twirls in the mirror.
She was rocking her custom jersey with Kay’s number on the front and “Kay’s Princess” on the back.
I’d paired it with a cute pair of jean shorts and some tiny Converse that matched the jersey.
For her hair, I’d brushed it up into two little afro puffs with bows to accessorize.
It was her favorite hairstyle, and I was glad because it was also one of the easiest to do.
Then, to top off the whole outfit, she had a pair of shades that Kay had purchased for her a few weeks ago when she said how much she loved hers.
“I’m so pretty!” She squealed as she ran over to hug me. “Mommy also pretty.”
I watched as she signed “pretty” and then giggled when I signed it back.
A smile stretched over my face as I spent a bit more time with my baby girl.
She was so precious, and all I ever wanted was to protect her.
My heart ached every time I thought about how Sasha had just up and left before ever getting a chance to know her.
She’d given up on this amazing little girl, tossing her to the side as if she didn’t matter.
I couldn’t fathom stringing someone along as if they were the only one for you and acting as if you cared for the child y’all wanted together, only to leave them both because you realized that you couldn’t keep up your double life forever.
I would never forgive her, but I also refused to run after her.
She wasn’t in Sera’s life, and I believe that’s how it was always meant to be.
Deep in my heart, I felt as if Kay was always supposed to be the other parent in Sera’s life.
She loved and cared for her as if she’d given birth to her herself. Screw Sasha’s two-timing ass.
“Ah, look how gorgeous my girls are.”
Serenity and I look towards the door to see Kayla standing there with her hands crossed over her chest. Sera ran over to greet her as I sat there admiring how good she looked in her jeans and green graphic tee.
It wasn’t anything special, but she always made even the simplest of outfits look good.
And it was a plus that her muscles were visible.
I had to shut my mouth tight so that I wouldn’t start drooling all over myself.
She eventually came in and sat beside me on Sera’s small toddler bed, placing her down so she could run to play with a toy that’d caught her attention just that fast. Kay leaned over and kissed me on the forehead before leaning back on her hands and watching Sera.
That feeling started to bubble up in my stomach as her scent heightened my senses.
There was no reason for this one woman to make me want to give her everything after a simple forehead kiss.
I was in agony because I wanted her so badly, but I had to control myself.
If it was meant to be one day, it would be.
Well, the universe needed to hurry the fuck up and show me, hell!
I rolled my eyes at myself as a loud boom sounded, making me jump.
Instantly, Kay and I are up on our feet.
I quickly grab Sera as Kay told us both to get down.
Suddenly, the whole house went dark. My heart was pounding against my chest like a bass drum as Sera cried in fear.
Kay exited the room, telling me to stay here while she checked it out.
I was terrified for her, but she kissed my forehead once more, telling me that it’ll all be okay.
So, I stayed in Sera’s room, rocking her as she cried.
I repeated that everything would be alright, trying my best to convince myself as well.
When ten minutes had passed, and Kay wasn’t back, my anxiety grew more and more.
I prayed that nothing had happened to her.
When fifteen minutes went by with no word from her, I decided to get up and see what was going on.
I stood up slowly, clutching a sleeping Sera against my chest as I walked down the dark hallway.
I called out to Kay, but she didn’t answer.
My blood pressure was through the roof, and I could feel the panic setting in.
I couldn’t fathom the thought that she was somewhere hurt or worse.
A million scenarios were playing in my head at once, and I almost ran right into someone.
When I looked up and saw Kay, I let out a deep sigh of relief.
“Zee, I told you to stay put,” she said, pulling me in a hug. She was careful not to press too hard and wake Sera. She took her into one arm and then grabbed my hand with her free one, leading us over to the couch.
“What happened?” I asked after we’d sat down.
She sighed, shaking her head. “Some teens were speeding and ran right into the light pole at the end of the street. The impact made the transformer dislodge, and it crashed to the ground,” she stated, and I gasped.
“Luckily, no one was hurt too badly, but it’s gonna be a few hours before they get the power back on.
I was down there helping to make sure everyone in the cars got out safely. ”
“It’s a relief that no one was seriously injured,” I reply, and she nods. “I’m sure they definitely learned their lesson about trying to show off, though. It could’ve ended so much worse.”
“True,” she nodded. There was a beat of silence before she glanced down at her watch.
“I don’t think I’m going to make it in time for the pregame practice, so I’ll text coach and let her know that I’ll be a few minutes late.
” I nod. “I’m not sure when the power will be back on, so let's turn off and unplug everything.”
“Good idea,” I agree, rising from the couch.
She lies Sera down on the couch before kissing her lightly on the forehead.
She then sets off to check the house as I venture to the kitchen.
Fortunately, not many items would go bad since it was about that time we did a grocery run anyway.
I made a mental note to stop by the store tomorrow as I grabbed Sera’s bag of snacks and put them into a small cooler along with a few drinks for us.
I then grab my bag and sling it over one shoulder while gripping the cooler.
I met Kay at the door, where she had picked up Sera again.
We exit the house, and I lock it up behind us as she gets Sera situated in her car seat.
Five minutes later, we were pulling out of the driveway and heading towards the stadium where the game would be held.
It only took us about ten minutes to arrive, and by then, Sera was up and singing along to one of the kids’ playlists I’d put on for her.
As Kay backed into a parking spot, I took in the surroundings.
It wasn’t too crowded, but there was a good turnout.
Most of the fans supported the flag football team just as much as they supported the tackle team, and I always thought that was amazing.
I loved that women’s football was slowly getting the recognition it deserved.
Our team even had a designated fan club with over 3,000 members and counting.
“Alright, ladies,” Kay says, cutting the engine and turning to us with a smile. “Let’s go have some fun, and then afterwards, we’ll get ice cream.”
“Ice cweammmm!” Sera shouts, pumping her little fist.
“Ice cweammmm!” Kay cheered, mimicking her, which made her giggle. I shook my head at their antics but chuckled along as well.
When we finally make it inside the stadium, Sera and I wish Kay good luck before heading towards the bleachers to find seats.
This particular stadium was located at Miles High School, the same one I attended most of my high school career.
It was huge thanks to the amount of money the alumni invested in its championship-winning athletics department.
They were one of the two schools the team used as home fields this past year while their new stadium was being built.
It was set to be done this time next year, and I knew the members were excited to see it because I was too, and I wasn’t even on the team.
Sera ran ahead as we reached the section where a bunch of the other players’ family and friends usually sat.
I spoke to them as I took an empty spot in the first row.
I didn’t like being up too high because Sera liked to run around, and I’d rather have her run around down here instead of trying to go up and down the stairs.
She was still a little wobbly on her feet sometimes, and I didn’t want her to misstep and tumble like Jack and Jill.