Chapter 35
CHARLOTTE
Six minutes remain on the clock.
We have won three games against Dallas in the Western Conference finals. They have won one. If we win tonight, we are finals bound, baby.
Just as Brandon shoots for a three-pointer, my cell vibrates in my hand. He misses, and the home crowd groans. With disappointment, I look at the screen. Giana. She is watching the game from home. There is nothing I can tell her about the game except we are two points down, and it’s damn stressful.
My cell vibrates again. Pressing one finger to my ear, I swipe the screen. “Hello.”
“Lottie, thank you.”
I barely hear her over the screams. “Is everything okay?”
“No. I’ve gone into labor.”
“Shit.”
“My mother is here. Please ask Byron to come to the hospital as soon as the game ends.”
“Of course. There’s five minutes left on the clock.” We both know that time can stretch out to at least ten minutes. “I’m excited for you, Gigi!”
My mother turns in her chair. “What’s happening?”
“Giana’s in labor and heading to the hospital. I need to tell Byron.” Their eyes lift to the time clock just as he shoots a three-pointer. I clap hard, whooping for my brother.
“Darling, go and tell the manager now. It will be hell getting out with the crowd. He will never forgive you if something happens and he doesn’t make it.”
“You’re right.” I head down the stairs, security stepping aside and allowing me to pass. I signal to Glen, the assistant coach, and he approaches. I get close to his ear. “Giana is in labor, and her mother is driving her to the hospital. You need to tell him now.”
Glen looks at the clock and then at Byron.
“Now,” I demand.
Our first reaction is to get the win, as it’s only minutes from our grasp. Only when it comes to Giana, he’d sprint off the court to ensure she is okay.
Byron fakes with a jab step and breezes past his opponent. He passes the ball to Brandon, and he hits the three. I clap hard. Byron runs near the sideline, and Glen calls out to him.
“What?” he yells, hand to his ear. The music blares, and the fans chant as we take the lead.
“Giana is in labor.”
Byron frowns, and when he sees me, I nod.
“Get me off the court,” he demands. “I’m out.”
The opposition runs toward him, and Byron fouls the player. We make a sub, and he runs off the court, high-fiving coach and his teammates as he runs directly to the locker room.
I see Brandon look at me wide-eyed, and I give him a nod.
Time to step up, my love. You promised us finals. You have a few minutes to make it happen.
I return to my seat, and when I sit, Brandon is still watching me. He shouts to his teammates and takes control. For the next two minutes, I watch him blitz the opposition, set up his teammates, and play the best defense I have ever seen.
We win the game with a six-point lead, and the fans hug, jumping around and screaming with excitement, including my family, who are now hugging each other.
We did it.
I take a moment to absorb the excitement surrounding me.
Absorb what this win means.
For the first time in history, the LA Sharks are in the championship finals.
We receive the news that Byron arrived on time, and Giana gave birth to a little girl, Adelaide.
Byron never shared the inspiration for her name, but since it’s where Brandon lives in Australia, he would have some motivation for his reason.
The celebrations continued at the team’s function room, and I spent the night talking to corporate sponsors while avoiding Walter.
Brandon left early, exhausted, and headed to mine.
I’m ready to join him, but expect him to be asleep after speaking with his parents so they can fly out next week to watch the playoffs live.
I alert Dwayne I’m ready to leave, and he escorts me to my car, driving me home, where he speaks with my home security.
All security measures have intensified around the players and staff.
We enter the secure underground parking garage, and he speaks on his mic to his team. Then, we take the elevator to the second level. My home is dark, except for a few dim lights from appliances. I switch on the light, fill my water glass, and take something for the dull throb in my head.
Dwayne strolls through the house, checking each room and the security on his phone. The history shows the only person to enter the grounds was Brandon and that was hours ago.
“Get some rest,” I tell Dwayne. His dark eyes defy me, but inside my fortress, I’m safe. After quietly closing the door to my bedroom, I strip down, climb under the sheets, and lay close enough to Brandon without waking him.
I have no recollection of time, but the morning light is streaming through the drapes, blowing gently in the breeze. Brandon is standing on my balcony, looking out over LA. He has a glass with what I assume is some sort of healthy shake.
I groan and roll over. The moment my mind drifts back to sleep, soft lips caress my neck.
“Hey, sleepyhead. It’s time to get up.”
“Says who,” I groan out.
He slides in beside me and pulls my back to his front. “Let me rephrase that. It’s time to get up you.”
A sleepy giggle bubbles out of me. “Always the romantic.”
“You’re picky today. I could just say, Wake up, princess. I want to fuck you senseless.”
I slide my legs apart. “A little better.”
“We’re celebrating little Adelaide.”
My eyes fling open. “Excuse me?”
He is on his knees, stroking his cock. “Going to practice making babies. I’m going to fill you up with little Brandons.”
I burst out laughing. “Stop. This is not a turn-on.”
He drops between my thighs, caressing my clit with his tongue. “How about this?”
I slam my arm down on the bed, arching my back as Brandon pushes his fingers inside me while he sucks on my clit.
“Yes.” It’s all I can manage, leaving the rest in his capable hands… and mouth.