Page 23 of Mr. Charming

She yanks her arm out of my hold. “I don’t need you to make me feel better. I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m excited to meet him.” I change the subject since she’s going to keep that wall up around her.

“What?” She spins around, and her face is twisted in a “fuck you” expression.

“The boyfriend. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Her shoulders sink. “Put a fucking shirt on. What do you think this is, some Magic Mike audition?”

She storms out the door.

Now I have to decide if I want to find a date to bring or make Tedi’s boyfriend my sole focus for the night.

Twelve

Tweetie’s Journal Entry

Twelve years ago

Florida

To my teenage self,

* * *

We did it. We opened the door and allowed her in. Tedi knows all about our fucked-up past now, buddy, but it’s for the best because trust me, she’s the one. The one we can trust with our heart. Just wait until I tell you how great she was when I told her what a piece-of-shit Dad was.

* * *

It was a lazy Sunday morning. I got home from a late game the night before to find Tedi already asleep. I showered, crawled into bed, and cuddled up to her. I really tried to let her sleep, but I’d missed her.

She must have felt the same because she was responsive to my roaming hands. Her back arched into me, offering herself. We had some of the best sex we’d had in a while. Our schedules had been hectic, only seeing one another for a few hours here and there.

She and Saige had been having to travel for work too. I always felt a little territorial when she’d have to go entertain other professional athletes in hopes of being hired for their social media. I didn’t want some other guy to steal my girl. Not that I don’t trust Tedi—she’d probably kick them in the nuts if they ever tried anything. I just don’t like to think about her having to deal with some guy making advances at her.

The next morning, she was sprawled halfway over my back, her arm around my waist and her cheek on my shoulder blade. We were both stomach sleepers.

The sheets rustled, and I felt her roll over and get out of bed. I was still so out of it, I fell back to sleep. I’m not sure how long I stayed asleep, but when I woke up, she was kissing my shoulder and running her hands over my back.

“Breakfast, babe,” she whispered.

I tightened my hold on my pillow and groaned. I’d taken some pretty bad hits the night before, and I was sore as shit. But the smell of bacon and eggs was enough to rouse me. I’d had a late snack on the plane last night, but I was starving now.

Rolling over, I sat up in bed and kissed her. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. Great game last night.” She snuggled closer to me, the tray at the bottom of the bed.

“Thanks.”

“That pass to Ford in the second couldn’t have been more perfect.”

One thing about Tedi was that she always complimented me after a game. Even after a shitty game, she’d find something I’d done right to comment on.

Leaning forward, she brought the tray up to rest between us. Watching her ass in her silk pajama shorts teased my morning wood.

My phone vibrated next to us, and I reached for it as Tedi turned on the television. It was my mom, and if I didn’t answer it, she’d just call me again.

“Hey, Mom,” I answered, putting it on speaker. “Tedi’s here too.”

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