10. Nyle Brown
I opened my laptop and let it power on before getting onto the internet to have my monthly call with my therapist. Brittish had spent the night with me, so she was in my bedroom, knocked out from the middle of the night sex she’d initiated.
When I woke up to the feeling of her mouth on my dick, my toes curled, and I thought of how it could become a routine thing for us.
Outside of our first night together, it was the first night we’d spent together as a couple, and I loved holding her in my arms until we fell asleep.
Everything with her flowed so effortlessly.
The sound of pinging caught my attention. I answered the video call and grinned upon seeing Dr. Morgan.
“Good morning, Nyle. How are you?” she asked, adjusting her posture with her notebook and pen in place.
“I’m well, and yourself?”
“I’m good. Thank you for asking.” Intently, Dr. Morgan studied me as she tapped her pen against her mouth and pushed her glasses up. “Something is different about you. There’s an aura, a good one, that I haven’t seen in a long time. Tell me. What has you like this?”
“Well, Dr. Morgan. I met someone, and I really like her.”
“Oh, that’s great news, Nyle. You’ve never talked to me about a woman, so I’m intrigued. How did the two of you meet?”
I chuckled and scrubbed my hands down my face.
“We had what was supposed to be a one-night stand. At least, that was her intentions. I knew when I saw her that I desired something more from her than any other woman I’d encountered.
She’s beautiful, inside and out. After we had sex that night, I felt bad because I had to leave her for my first practice.
Imagine my surprise when I see her there. ”
“Oh, wow. Really?”
“Yes. She’s one of the players’ moms. I continued to pursue her because of what I felt in my heart. There was no doubt in my mind that she felt it too. It’s been almost three months, and we made it official last night.”
“Congratulations. From the smile on your face, it’s obvious you’re happy.” Dr. Morgan jotted a few things down on her notebook before questioning, “Tell me. Does she know about your past?”
I nodded. “She does. Crazy thing is that I told her within a week of us meeting. She realized I wasn’t comfortable with touching her without asking, and she questioned me about it.
At first, I didn’t give her the full details, only a vague story.
I was grateful because she didn’t push to know more.
She accepted what I told her. It came up again, and I felt good telling her about it.
It broke her down because she’s a mother.
In the same breath, she let me know it was okay not to ask her.
She’s been helping and encouraging me to heal in that way. ”
Anytime I thought about it, I wanted to tear up. No one would understand what it meant to me to have Brittish accept me for who I was while encouraging me to change in a healthy way. I’d always had my family there, but it was different with her.
“That tells me she’s genuine. She cares about you, Nyle. I understand it can be hard to accept and give love after what you went through, but don’t allow it to affect what the two of you are building. You’ve grown tremendously. I’d hate to see you go backwards.”
I rubbed my hands together, and my tongue lined the inside of my jaw. “She came looking for me.”
“Who? Renee?”
“Yes.”
“And how did that make you feel?”
“Triggered, but I was able to hold it together. I’m not sure what she wanted or why she came looking for me. I’ve been praying she doesn’t come around again, but I can’t shake the nagging in my stomach that she will. I’m not sure how I’ll react if I see her again, Doctor.”
Over the years, I’d learned to push Renee to the back of my mind.
When she did cross it, I felt sick to my stomach.
I hadn’t talked about it with anyone, but I had been looking over my shoulder anytime I was out.
Something told me she was hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right time to pop out again.
I prayed it wasn’t when I was alone, because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to control myself.
“Tell me. Do you think she’ll come looking for you again?”
“I do.”
Dr. Morgan sighed. “I feel like we’ll need to go back to two-week sessions for now, Nyle. I want to keep a close eye on you, so if you need an emergency session or simply need me in any capacity, contact me directly. You have my number. Until then, let’s talk about how we’ll navigate this.”
Dr. Morgan and I were on the call for another forty-five minutes.
Anytime I talked to her, I either left feeling light or heavy.
Today was an in-between day. While it felt good telling her about Brittish and our relationship, it was rough talking about Renee.
My mood wasn’t completely sour, but it wasn’t all the way sweet either.
And Brittish instantly noticed.
She joined me in my office, placing herself on my lap with her arm draped around my shoulders. I rested my head against her breasts, and her hand went straight to my scalp.
“How did you sleep?” I inquired, rubbing her exposed thigh. She wore nothing but an oversized T-shirt that barely covered her thickness. She almost had me distracted, but Renee kept creeping back in, ruining the moment.
“Great, especially being beside you.” She kissed the top of my head. “What’s on your mind, Nyle? I can feel something is bothering you.”
“I just had a call with my therapist, and we talked about Renee.”
“Did it trigger you?”
“Not necessarily, but it does have me in somewhat of a mood.” I glanced up at her, and she peered down at me with concern dancing in her eyes. She was so damn pretty without makeup. Her skin was flawless. “But you being here, in my arms, is making me feel better.”
“Are you sure? Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“You simply being here helps me.”
Before she could respond, her phone vibrated against my desk.
She leaned over and picked up. A slight frown etched her face as she answered.
Not wanting to be in her business, I tapped her thigh to get up, and I went to the kitchen to see what I had to make us some breakfast. Brittish came in about ten minutes later, fully dressed with her purse in hand.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go get AJ.”
“Is everything okay?”
She shook her head. “Zaina’s grandfather had to be rushed to the hospital, and things aren’t looking good.
They live over two hours away, and AJ doesn’t want to go with them.
I’m going to go get him and find us something to do for the day to keep his mind clear.
He loves Zaina’s family, so I know this will bother him. ”
“Mind if I tag along?”
“Really?” Her voice perked up a little, and I chuckled.
“Yes, really. Sounds like AJ and I both need a day to clear our minds. I know being with you will be the perfect remedy for both of us.” Brittish strutted over to me with her lips puckered. I firmly kissed them and smirked. “Is that a yes?”
“It’s a hell yes.” She giggled. “Do you want me to come back and get you, or are you coming with me?”
“Do you think it’ll be better to come back? I’m not sure how AJ will feel seeing me in the car with you, and I don’t want to upset him any more than he already is.”
“Oh, he’ll be fine either way. It’s just something he’ll need to accept, but thank you for thinking of him in that way.”
“Of course. Let me go get ready. I’ll be quick.”
I pecked her lips and went to my room to change my clothes. I’d already handled my morning hygiene, so it took me no time to get ready. The boys had the next four days off to rest and recuperate for our next tournament, so it was the perfect time to get closer to AJ off the field.
Once I was dressed in a Camden Cove baseball T-shirt, basketball shorts, and shoes to match, I put on my jewelry and cologne before grabbing what I needed and meeting Brittish back up front. We decided to take my truck, so I put Zaina’s address into my GPS and headed that way.
They lived about twenty minutes away from me.
Asher was putting their luggage into their car when we pulled up.
I stayed in the truck while Brittish got out to get AJ.
She talked to Asher for a moment until AJ and Zaina came out the door.
It was obvious Zaina had been crying, and AJ was close to her side, holding her hand.
When she saw my truck, she gave a half smile and waved.
AJ’s brows met in the middle, and he stopped in his tracks.
He said something to Zaina, and whatever she said in return had him moving again.
I watched them all love on one another before Brittish led AJ over to my truck. Hopping out, I helped her with his bags and helped them inside. We pulled out the driveway, and surprisingly, AJ was the first to speak up.
“I’m hungry.”
Brittish snickered. “When aren’t you hungry? What do you want to eat?”
“French toast and a ham and cheese omelet.”
“So, you want to go to Dave’s?”
“Please.”
Brittish glanced over at me. She didn’t need to ask because I was on the same page as AJ. I’d been up too long and hadn’t had anything to eat, so I was ready to get down.
Clearing my throat, I quizzed, “Are you enjoying your off time from baseball, AJ?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve been resting and playing my game, but my dad has been doing some field drills with me when he gets off work.”
“That’s good. Even when you’re off, it’s good to put in work, but make sure you don’t overdo it. Resting is just as vital.”
“I’m not. He usually gives me a choice on whether I want to work or not. Most of the time, I do. We were taking the day off today to rest.”
“Good.”
AJ scooted up in the seat with both his arms resting on ours. He looked back and forth between me and Brittish. When she gave him a look, he quickly sat back and put his seat belt on.
“So, Mama . . .”
“Yes, Son?”
“Are you and Coach still just friends? Because this seems like more.” He observed.