Page 21 of Going for Three

I brushed my nose against hers. “I notice everything about you, Charm. I told you that.”

She blinked away a few tears. “You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”

I nodded. “A little.”

She tensed, trying to pull away. I laughed while pinning her to the bed.

“But so am I. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re still perfect to me, but you have to stop while you’re carrying my baby.” I brushed my nose along the side of her face. “Whenever you have the urge to do it, I want you to call me so you’re not alone. I don’t care if I’m thousands of miles away at a game or in the middle of one, you call me. I’m your man now, Charm. Use me in whatever capacity you need to.”

Her voice was so small when she replied. The tone alone increased my innate need to protect her.

“Okay…”

When her lips crashed into mine this time, sparks of energy erupted between us. She held on to me like she never wanted to let go, and I was perfectly okay with that. Nothing was going to run me off. If she couldn’t reveal her darkest secrets to me without going into hiding, then I wasn’t doing something right. When it came to Charm, she would learn I would always do everything right because I was hardwired to.

“I’m getting ready now, babe.”I spoke into the phone. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”

Kinga had invited me to his home game against the Boston Mavs. Of course, I couldn’t go alone, so Vari, my mama, and Aunusti were all tagging along with me. He didn’t bat an eye when I asked if they could join me. He only cared that I was there.

I couldn’t lie like a part of me wasn’t a little nervous about this. Our relationship was pretty private. The blogs were speculating a lot recently because of our posts but hadn’t figured out we’d been posting about each other yet. Tonight, things could change.

“Okay, baby. Let me get back to this locker room. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“K. Later, babe.”

The call ended, and I returned to putting the finishing touches on my outfit. Tonight, I was sporting a denim skirt with patchwork and a long slit up the front that exposed my toned leg. It covered up my waist perfectly, hiding my pudge. I paired it with a white crop top and a custom leather Suns jacket I bought from a vintage shop. I made sure the patch for Kinga’s jersey number, one, was added. Since I wasn’t missing an opportunity to wear heels, I paired my outfit with an orange pair of heels that laced up my leg.

“Ou, this outfit is so cute,” Vari said, coming into the room. He was wearing a leather outfit that was very stylish and mysterious.

“Thanks, baby. I’m a little nervous.”

“What? Why?” He walked up behind me and began to brush my hair into place.

“Um… because I don’t want the world finding out about us to ruin anything.”

Vari shook his head. “The only way it can do that is if y’all let it.”

He flipped a part of my hair in front of my shoulder. The heatless curls I’d put in came out perfect. My hair flowed in thick waves as if I’d used the curling iron.

“You better put on that perfume that man loves.”

I giggled and headed toward my perfume collection.

“You already know I am. He did his big one with that date.”

I picked up myGood Luck Charmperfume and spritzed myself until I was choking. I made sure to stuff it in my purse to freshen up later in the night.

“Okay, let’s go. The truck is downstairs.”

My mama was taking shots on live when we entered the kitchen. She waved us over.

“Aye, come take shots with me before we go.”

I wasn’t sure how I was about to play it off, but thankfully, Vari came in with the save.

“We don’t have time, Courtney. Our ride is already here, and Charm still has to take pictures.”

“Y’all are boring,” my mama said into the camera. “Anyways, we gotta go, y’all. Mama Hart is sitting courtside tonight.”

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