Page 36 of Crossing the Lines for Love

“Nope, because all you’ll do is join me. I’ll wait, and you go ahead.”

I laughed. “You know me too well. I’ll be quick.”

Forty-five minutes later, we were in separate cars but headed to the same place.

These niggas were playing like trash, and I was ready to fuck some shit up. We were down three goals with five minutes left in the game and one timeout. I looked on the sideline, and Aranda was pacing back and forth with her arms folded across her chest. This was the first time this season we’d been down more than one point this late in the game.

The opposing team had the ball, and we prepared to face off. I didn’t want to add another loss to our record, so I had to make some shit shake. I gave Reid and Patrick the signal, and we waited for the referee to blow the whistle. It was our ball, and we had no time to waste.

Unfortunately, everything moved in slow motion after the whistle was blown. Patrick and Reid both missed easy shots, while I scored one goal. When there was no time left on the clock, we were still down by two and gained our second loss of the season.

Aranda usually gave us a post-game talk before we left the field because she chose not to enter the locker room. Today, however, she led the team to the locker room after shakinghands with the opposing team. Before everyone was inside, Coach Crawford threw his clipboard at a wall and let us have it.

I heard every word he shouted, but I focused more on Aranda standing beside him. Her arms were still folded across her chest, and her expression was one of anger and disappointment. Regardless, her beauty continued to shine bright.

“Kemper, did I say something funny?” Coach Crawford asked.

“Huh? Oh no, nothing is funny, Coach.”

“Why the fuck are you smiling?”

“I wasn’t smiling.”

“I’m not blind. If you got something funny to share, the floor is yours.”

I shook my head. “Nah, Coach. You got it. My bad.”

Aranda stepped forward, and Coach Crawford let her have the floor.

“Coach Crawford failed to remind you that they are the worst team in our conference. Every single one of you should be embarrassed. If we were a fucking charitable organization, giving away games would be cool, but we ain’t that. If they were a team of equal caliber, we wouldn’t be so pissed. You let the worst in the division outplay you, out-hustle you, and out-score you. We’re too close to the end of the season to play anything like what I saw out there today.”

She turned toward the exit and took a few steps before stopping and looking at us again.

“If I find out any one of you niggas was out clubbing last night, prepare for hell at Monday’s practice.”

I watched her until I couldn’t see her anymore, and when I looked at Coach Crawford again, his eyes were on me.

“Kemper, if you don’t wipe that smile off your face, I’m gonna come knock it off myself!” he threatened. “What the fuck is sogot damn funny that has you grinning like the fucking Chesire Cat?”

I couldn’t tell him that when Aranda bossed up on the team like that, it made my dick hard, and the thoughts of what I planned to do to her later filled my mind. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I tried. Luckily, his question was rhetorical, and he returned to his rant to the whole team.

I’d been tracking my parents’location since my mother told me they were on their way. When I saw them park in front of the Airbnb, my stomach sank to my feet. I was extremely nervous about how this would go.

Niko already had my mother’s vote, but I wasn’t sure she would think he was worth risking my coaching career. My father’s reaction would solely be based on how being with Niko would impact my current and possibly future positions.

“Randi, who’s house is this? What is going on?”

My mother began questioning me as soon as she saw me standing in the doorway. They hadn’t even made it to the porch yet.

“Come inside, and I’ll explain everything.”

“I told her the same thing a hundred times on the way here. It didn’t stop her from trying to figure out what was going on.”

I let my parents inside, and we exchanged hugs and kisses. My mother looked around the living room, surely looking for something familiar to help her solve the mystery.

“It smells delicious. Did you cook or order out?” Ma asked.

“The food is from Soulful Diner,” Niko announced when he appeared at the entrance to the kitchen.

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