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Before, I did it for myself. Now, I do it forthem. The two equal parts of my heart that make us the perfect trio.
My eyes search for my little venom—the woman who hasn’t been living up to her name as of late. Now, she’s just my mama. My beautiful and ready-to-pop mama.
Unexpectedly, I find Tenley on the sidelines by the Strikers’ dugout, lost in the middle of our victory commotion. I hustle over to my team, ready to knock anyone out who hurts her. Just when I’m about to intervene, her strong and mighty voice sounds out from where I’m standing as she leads our chant.
“Atlanta boys, where you at?”
Never needing further instructions, the team hollers, “We right hereeeee!”
“Yeah, you are! You boys kicked some Titan ass tonight!”
“We love you, TT.” The team pulls her in for a group hug. “The little slugger, too,” King yells.
Tenley’s smile represents a picture I can add to my top five most favorite things in this world. I love seeing her like this: full of my child and happiness. “Please tell him his eviction notice is up,” she teases.
I sidle up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, my palms covering her bump. “Just think, Mama. Not much longer and you’ll be the prettiest MILF on the sidelines. Holding our baby and cheering my name.”
She cocks her head to meet mine. “I like the sound of that. You know…babies always attract attention. Maybe I’ll find myself a sugar daddy on the sidelines? Show off my nursing bra and mesh panties. I hear stupid-rich ball players like that kind of thing.”
Over my dead fucking body.
“You know…I was just thinking how you’ve been less venom-y lately and bearably sweeter. I take that back.” I bite her ear playfully.
“Does that mean you don’t like that kind of thing, August? Will you still love me when I’m torn from two holes and leaking milk out of my tits?”
She has no idea how fucking sexy that sounds.
“Mama, you’ll have to rip me off you. But good luck with that. I have a mighty nipple latch.”
The way Tenley looks at me like she could listen to me sing her praises for days and never tire, makes me want to do it. “You sure you love me? Like, really love me.”
I grasp the bottom of her chin as she turns to face me. “There’s no other option but to love you, Tenley. You’re my home.” I cast my eyes to her stomach. “You and our son. I’ll love you both until there’s nothing left of me. I promise you that.”
“I was thinking Apollo.”
My brows rise. “Apollo?”
Tenley nods. “Apollo Graves. Apollo means light, and I’d say this little guy has been one hell of a light in our lives, wouldn’t you?”
Apollo Graves. My son.
“Sounds strong. Sounds perfect.”
She laughs. “It also means destroyer, but we can stick with light if anyone asks.”
“Hey, destroyer on the field. Light of our lives. Couldn’t be more fitting if you ask me.”
“Did Mom and Dad finally admit they love each other?” King throws his arms around us, eyes darting in question.
I shove him off, my eyes never leaving Tenley. “It’s a love I’m not sure you’ll ever understand, Kingston Baylor. But I hope you find it someday.”
Tenley wraps her arms around me, ignoring the goofy man beside us, and whispers against my chest. “And I love you right back.”
“August Graves.It’s great to finally meet you.”
“You too, Jim. I appreciate you coming out.”
Jim nods. “Killer game you had tonight, son. The Strikers played like the team to beat.”
