Page 49 of Guarding Our Love
Calil lifted his head and looked at me. “You, Sloan. You happened. After all these years, I finally got a chance to make things right with you, and you disappeared on me. It made me feel like I had done something wrong, or you went back to your husband.” He paused and bunched his eyebrows together. “You didn’t go back to your husband, did you?”
I scrunched my face up. “Hell no!”
“What happened then?”
I took a deep breath and told Calil what happened the day he dropped me off. “I just didn’t want him to start some bullshitwith you. You have an image and career to protect, and I felt like I was protecting you from my mess.”
Calil turned his whole body to face me and grabbed my hands, which were fiddling with the bottom of my shirt.
“Sloan, I appreciate what you tried to do, but baby, let me be the one to protect us. He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
Calil probably didn’t realize he squeezed my hand when he asked the question. I shook my head.
“Good. I’m pissed that you didn’t tell me he was here. I know his children are here, and you guys have to co-parent, but I don’t like the idea of him having access to you like that.”
“I changed the locks and made it clear that he needs to call before he comes over.”
“That’s good. I hate that you felt you had to go through that alone. I will never try to take his place, but you and those boys are my priority. Over the last week or so, I’ve realized I had fallen in love with you again, Sloan.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.
“Calil, I’ve realized I had fallen hard for you, too. It’s like everything I felt back when we dated before came back but even stronger. I know I said I needed time, but I don’t want to spend any more time apart from you. And I definitely don’t need you messing up any more games,” I teased.
“Nah, we can’t have that.” Calil laughed. “Speaking of games. When are you coming to the next one? I would love for you to be there. You’ve been my good luck charm.”
I sucked my teeth and rolled my eyes. “You were doing fine before me.”
“I was, but I’ve been better since you’ve been back.”
I didn’t answer when I would go to the next one because I wasn’t sure.
My heart swelled when he smiled at me. I really did miss him, and I knew after the second day of us not talking that my feelingsfor him were deeper than I thought, but I wanted to give myself time. Some people may think I moved on too fast, but to me, it was the perfect timing.
“From here on out, Sloan, we are a team. When something is wrong, let me know, and I’ll fix it. If I can’t fix it myself, I will find a way. It doesn’t matter if it’s your ex, the kids, or some random person on the streets. We are in this together. I’ve got you covered from all angles. I know I have an image to protect, but I’ll do what I need to do to protect us even more. When I said you are going to be my wife, I didn’t say it just to hear myself talk. I meant that shit. For now, though, will you be my girlfriend?”
My heart soared, and butterflies took flight in my stomach. Calil gave me the same wide and cute grin he gave me when he asked back in high school. For a second, I remembered that day, but I also remembered that we weren’t those young kids anymore. We were adults with real lives, and I was a real mother with kids. I knew the kids would be okay with me dating Calil. At least, I hoped so. It was one thing for him to be their favorite player, but it was something else for him to be dating their mother. I would have to talk with them soon about all of this.
I giggled when Calil leaned over and kissed my neck.
“Answer me, pretty girl.”
The low timbre of his voice sent goosebumps all over my body.
“Yes, Calil,” I moaned when he licked my ear.
He chuckled when I pushed him away.
“My bad. You smell so damn good. Are the boys inside?”
“Yes, they are. I’m surprised they didn’t try to find out who was at the door, but knowing them, they are probably playing their games.”
“I didn’t mean to pop up like that, but I didn’t know what else to do. I won’t do that again, though, because this is their house aswell, and I respect them. Let me know if you want to bring them to the game with you. If not, I still want to see your pretty ass sitting courtside.”
Calil and I needed time to catch up, so I would probably go by myself or see if Kendyll wanted to go with me since she couldn’t make it the last time.
“Okay.”
“I’m going to get out of here because I can rest now that I got my girl, and I have to get up early tomorrow. Coach is making me report to practice an hour early before anyone else.”
