Page 39 of Guarding Our Love
“Sloan Martin, I better not ever hear you say some dumb shit like that again,” my mother scolded. “Roy was trash for what he did. It’s not your fault your husband couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. I don’t know all the inner workings of your marriage, but from what I do know, you were a good wife to him. He could have easily talked to you if he had a problem with anything. Don’t put that burden on you. As far as Calil goes, he was a boy trying to find his way in life back then. What is your heart telling you now about him?”
I thought about her question. It hadn’t been long, but it felt like Calil had changed for the better. Why else would he say the stuff he said and do the things he’d done so far?
Our recent date on the boat replayed in my mind. It was the sweetest thing anyone had done for me, and the way he made love to me felt like he was genuine. He had to have felt the same way I did. It was perfect. He had access to plenty of women, so he wouldn’t have to do all that just to get some ass.
“My heart feels like it’s real, but I’m also afraid.”
My mom reached across the table and grabbed my hand.
“Dating someone new is scary. Factor in what happened years ago, and I understand it. I say follow your heart as long as you don’t go back to Roy’s dog ass.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh, trust me, I won’t. That ship has sailed. Roy and I have nothing to discuss but the boys and even that will be limited. They both are old enough to talk to him without me being there.”
My phone went off in my purse, so I pulled it out when I saw a message from Calil.
Calil:
Hey, pretty girl. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you. I’ll call you after practice if that’s okay.
A smile spread across my face so wide my cheeks hurt.
Me:
That’s fine. I’m having lunch with my mom and best friend now, but I’ll be free by the time you are done.
Calil:
Bet. I won’t hold you up. I’ll talk to you later.
Before I could put my phone back in my bag, it went off again. My eyes ballooned when I saw Calil had sent me two thousand dollars with a note that saidlunch on me. What the hell did he think we were eating for lunch? It was way too much.
Me:
Sir, that is way too much money for lunch.
Calil:
It will never be enough when it comes to you. Get yourself something with the rest. I know how you like to shop. Plus, I want you at my next home game shitting on them hoes, lol.
Me:
Is that right?
Calil:
Yes. Now stop being rude and get back to your mom and friend. Later, pretty girl.
Oh, tell them I said hi.
One night, while we were on the phone, I shared the details about my shopping habits with Calil, and he told me how he also liked to shop. We didn’t go to the same stores because he had a multi-million-dollar contract while I had a social worker’s salary. It was decent, but I wasn’t at the high-end stores.
“Ken, did she forget we were here?” I heard my mother say.
“Seems like it.”
I looked up at the two of them staring at me as they talked about me.
“Sorry. Calil just sent me two thousand dollars, talking about it’s for lunch.”
