Page 29 of Guarding Our Love
I didn’t like the thought of him being there when she got there, but it wasn’t my place to say anything. Technically, she was still his wife.
“Can you at least let me know when you get home?” I lifted her chin so she could look at me. “If he is on some bullshit when you get there, call me, and I mean that shit.”
Sloan laughed, but I was serious as hell. I knew how men like to get when they messed up, then assumed their girl did the same thing.
“Yes, I will let you know when I get home. I honestly don’t feel as though he would try to do something to me, but I promise you if he tries, I will call you.”
“Thank you.” I got out of bed, walked around the other side to help her, and showed her where the clean washcloths and towels were.
While Sloan handled her business in the bathroom, I changed the sheets and picked up my clothes from the floor.
When Sloan was ready, I walked her to her car. Her car door was open, but I had her boxed in near the back door. I looked down into her eyes then kissed her lips.
“Don’t forget to let me know when you get home, and don’t forget what I said, Sloan.”
“I won’t, Calil.”
I kissed her again then helped her into the car. When she was in, I closed the door for her. I stood in the driveway until she was out of the gate, then went back inside.
It was late, but I walked to the other side of the house and checked on my grandfather. He was sleeping comfortably, and the aide with him seemed to have dozed off, too. As long as she woke up when he needed something, I wouldn’t tell on her. Right before I could walk away, she woke up.
“Oh my God, Mr. Cooper. I’m so sorry for dozing off,” she whispered. Panic filled her eyes as she looked back and forth between my grandfather and me.
“It’s all good. I’m sure it’s damn near impossible to stay awake all night. And you are sitting close enough to where you would hear him if he got up.”
“Yes, sir. I do apologize, though. It’s been a really long day, but that’s no excuse.”
“You’re good. I’ll be back to check on him in the morning.” I smiled, closing the door.
I walked back to my side of the house to shower and go to bed. I had practice in the morning, and I would be tired as hell, but spending time with Sloan was worth it. I knew I would sleep like a baby.
By the time I got out of the shower, Sloan had let me know she had made it home. After we exchanged a few messages, I set my alarm and fell asleep.
“Oh, you showing off tonight, huh?”Julian joked as he ran past me on the court.
We were in the last quarter of the game, and I was on fire. I had scored fifty points and was on track to score more before the game was over.
I didn’t respond to Julian because I got pushed from behind. “Yo! You ain’t gonna call a foul, ref?”
The crowd booed because the ref acted like he didn’t see that foul. All night, the refs had been making bullshit calls all night. After I said something, the ref blew his whistle.
I got the ball and dribbled it to the free-throw line. When I was at the free-throw line, it was just me, the ball, and the net. I blocked out the crowd cheering or booing. I counted down in my head as I dribbled. When I felt like the ball would go in, I shot the ball. Nothing but net. The crowd cheered, and I was tossedthe ball for my second shot. Just like the first one, it went in. The noise in the arena was deafening. I lived for nights like this, and it made it better that Sloan and her boys were there. I had to show off for them.
“Let’s go!” I shouted when one of my teammates stole the ball from the other team.
We ran down the court to our side, and he passed me the ball. I was at the three-point line and was wide open, so I took the shot, and it went in.
By the end of the night, I scored sixty points, the highest of my career. My adrenaline pumped through my veins as I walked off the court. I told Sloan where to meet me so she could introduce me to her boys and so I could show them the locker room and meet some of the team. As soon as I saw her, her face lit up, and I knew mine did.
“Hey, Calil,” she greeted me when I got close.
I wanted to hug her but didn’t think it would be appropriate in front of her kids. Both boys looked at her then back at me.
“Mom, you know Coop?”
The one who asked the question looked like the oldest.
Sloan looked at me, then at him, and giggled. “Yes, and I would like to introduce you two to him. Blake and Brooks, this is Mr. Cooper, or as y’all like to call him, Coop.”
