Chapter 19
Knox
Cricket is asleep on my chest. I’m back at the apartment after enjoying my one day off in which Melody didn’t answer a single one of my texts.
My heart has been pretty full, and I won’t lie, I’m feeling pretty smug. My girl didn’t say a single shitty thing about me in her entire show.
She might be throwing up walls now, but it’s written all over the recaps. Her bridge is down, and I’m inside the castle. Holding my phone, I grin from ear to ear as I scroll through the comments on TMI’s latest article.
@TailgateTakedown says, QP used to roast K-Brad every week. Now she sounds like his publicist.
“Ouch,” I say under my breath. “She’s not going to like that one, Crick.”
@GridironGuru says, Cut the woke football therapy bullshit and give us football, warts and all.
“Playing good ball isn’t woke, Guru,” I chuckle, feeling great. “It’s badass.”
@PhantasyPigskinPro says, Why don’t they just fuck already and get back to the game?
My dick pulses at the thought. “I have no problem with that, Triple P.”
Edward enters the room, carrying a duffel bag in one hand and a coat thrown over his arm.
It’s late October, and the heat has finally broken. The Quarter is decked out for Halloween, and it’s my favorite time to be in the city. The leaves are starting to turn, and residents fully embrace their historically spooky reputation—not that they don’t always.
Hell, I’m pretty sure I saw a vampire driving home the other night.
“Are you going out?” I frown at the items in my cousin’s hands. “It’s kinda late.”
I’m playing dumb, because I don’t want to know what’s coming. Edward has never enjoyed the night life. He barely tolerates Cooters & Shooters, and he grew up there.
“In the morning, I will have been with you for ten days.” Leave it to him to have the exact count, down to the minute. “I’m certain you are over the hump. Actually, I was certain you were fine when I arrived, but I promised your mom.”
“You’re not leaving us?” I sit forward, holding the back of sleeping Cricket’s head. “We’re just getting into a rhythm.”
“I am not moving in with you. Your rhythm should not include my presence.” He places the duffel on the floor. “I have responsibilities at home. Your brother expects me to be there.”
“Austin is doing just fine. I’ll bet money on it.”
“It’s not about your brother. It’s about the team. Besides, you’ll be leaving for Minnesota in a few days.”
“Right—who’s going to watch Cricket while I’m gone?”
His brow furrows, and he looks down at the little girl sleeping on my chest. “I assumed you’d be taking her with you.”
“I can’t watch her while I’m on the field.”
His expression stills, and I almost breathe a sigh of relief. I can’t believe I caught him having not thought a situation all the way through.
“What about that manny?”
“Stan, the man only works out of New Orleans. You heard him. He has other clients. Stay with me through Minnesota, then it’s bye week.” I lean back with the baby. “We can go to Newhope together.”
“I drove my own vehicle.”
“We’ll convoy.”
His expression remains neutral, but I can see I’ve got him. “I’ll stay through the Vikings game, and then I have to get back.”
He turns and starts to head to the guest room. I settle into my comfy spot to resume reading all my glowing reviews from Melody accompanied by the hate mail she’s getting in the comments.
I’m not going to lie, after the third person tried to claim she was getting some kind of kickback, I took out my phone and sent her a text.
Knox
You don’t deserve these shitty comments.
I expected straight radio silence as per usual, but she must’ve been holding her phone in her hand… I hope not doomscrolling.
Melody
I do deserve it. I knew what they wanted, and I let them down.
My lips twist, and burning is at the base of my throat.
Knox
So even if I play a perfect game, you still have to talk shit about me on the internet?
Melody
You didn’t play a perfect game. You almost got sacked more than once. You didn’t take the checkdown, and instead you tried to play hero ball in the third.
A pulse of need flares in my chest, and I drop my head back. Everything she says is right, but after the game, all I heard from the coaching staff was how we’re another step closer to the playoffs.
Knox
Come over here and spend the night. It’s been too long, and that last remark has my dick hard.
Melody
I’m not coming over there. I’m not seeing you again until you win the Big Game.
Knox
I need you tonight.
Melody
Get some rest, K-Brad. You’re going to need it for the Vikings. They won’t let mistakes like tonight pass.
Knox
Are you giving me tips on how to play next week?
Melody
No.
I drop my head back and laugh. I think she might be.
Knox
I need you to come sit on my lap and spread your legs so I can put two fingers inside and stroke your kitty til she purrs.
Melody
I’m turning off my phone now.
Knox
Are you wet for me?
Melody
Knox…
Knox
I’ll take that as a yes.
Grinning, I lean my head back against the chair.
I turn my face to look out at the dark night.
Far below, the streets are awash in orange, purple, black, and gold.
Music drifts up to where I sit, and I shift the baby, moving her onto my shoulder as I slowly carry her to her new portable crib beside my bed.
I put her inside on her back, then I shoot Edward a quick text that I’m going out for a little while. I have one thing on my mind, and I’m not getting any sleep without it.
* * *
The streetcar stops at every other corner it seems, and not even the cool night tamps the heat surging in my veins.
A group of women hop on wearing black lace dresses with ragged-edges on the arms and the hems. They’re all in long, black wigs and pointy hats. It looks like a fun group, and I accidentally catch the eye of the tall one before turning to face the open window.
“Do I know you?” She sits on the wooden bench beside me, and I turn back, judging from the tiny laugh lines around her eyes she’s about my mom’s age.
“Maybe,” I deflect, not really wanting to be recognized.
Before I left the house, I pulled on a black hoodie along with jeans and my white tee. I pulled the hood portion over my head, and I’ve kept my gaze focused out the window to avoid being spotted.
“Were you at Lawrence’s party on Lake Pontchartrain last weekend?” The woman leans closer, frowning at me.
“Yeah,” I nod, smiling lightly.
I figure the best way to throw her off my real identity is by pretending to be whoever she thinks I am.
“Ugh, of course. I thought you looked familiar.” She pushes the hat a little further back on her head. “Can you believe how wasted Theo got? I swear one of these days he’s going to fall in that pool and drown.”
“His dog’ll rescue him.” I just throw it out there to see what happens. Fifty-fifty chance, I’ll wager.
“Butter?” Her voice goes high, and she leans back laughing loudly. “That little dog couldn’t stop shaking long enough to save herself. Oh, this is our stop.”
She stands going to the door with her party, pausing to wave back at me. “Will you be at Andrea’s next weekend? I’ll see you there.”
I nod and wave to her, thinking this is one of the things I love most about this city. As big and diverse as it is, no one has ever met a stranger. That and how close a good time is every day and everywhere you turn.
I don’t know what’s going to happen for me next, but my life here has just begun. I’m not about to give up on it.
Another thought forming in my mind is I want Melody with me. It’s new, and I’m still working out the details, but I’m more determined than ever to stay inside her walls.
She’s got to see how good we are together.