Page 13 of Love's Instant Replay
The post-practice mingling is over, and we’re walking to our vehicles after showering and having a last-minute briefing from Coach Sumlin.
“Who?” Frowning, I stop walking to look directly at Rickey to engage in this conversation for a few minutes.
“Wow. Did you warn that many niggas to stay away from wifey today that you don’t remember?”
Sighing heavily, my jaw clenches at the thought of the lame from earlier snitching on me to his brother. It’s the only way Rickey could have heard about what happened since he wasn’t around at the time. Usually, I try to maintain a cooler head, but seeing the man shamelessly trying to converse with Kyelle, despite me talking to her, pissed me off. All forms of decorumand patience left my psyche as flashes of red danced before my eyes. Shrugging, I answer Rickey’s question once the tinge of rage evaporates from my pores.
“I won’t apologize for letting a nigga know to play with something safe.”
“Well, you better be glad I was able to talk Jon out of confronting you about his brother.” The merriment in Rickey’s eyes matches the teasing smile, causing me to laugh hysterically. “Don’t laugh. Jon can?—”
“Walk his ass into injured reserve fucking with me. I’m out, bro. I need to call Ms. Ky before she knocks out for the night.” Throwing up two fingers, I walk away with urgency to get in my vehicle so I can call Kyelle.
“Let me find out that woman got you acting brand new,” Rickey says to my retreating back, but I don’t slow my strides or acknowledge his statement as boisterous laughter sounds behind me.
Entering my ride, I toss my bag in the passenger seat after grabbing my phone, secure my seat belt, and peel out of the lot. Pulling up Kyelle’s contact, I hit the green icon and smile like a kid in a candy store when the ringing sounds around the interior.
“Hi, Kaeden. Didn’t you get enough of me earlier?” My heart skips a beat upon hearing Kyelle’s angelic voice once the call connects on the third ring.
“Never. Did you miss me, my baby?”
“How?”
A cheesy grin slides into place that I would deny if anyone saw me doing it publicly. “The same way I miss the fuck out of you. You ain’t gotta fake it, Kyelle. I know you’re feeling me.”
“Oh, now this is interesting. What makes you think that?”
“It’s in the twinkling stars in your eyes every time you look at me. You look at me like I hung those mothafuckas in the sky.”
“You’re very cocky, I see.”
“Nah. I just know what it is between us. How’d you enjoy your first professional football practice though?”
Changing the subject is entirely for my benefit so Kyelle doesn’t find a reason to shut down our conversation. Despite seeing her, I’m desperate for every moment she allows me to have with her. For the first time in a very long time, a woman I barely know has my damn nose wide open. Only this time, I’m not gonna try to prevent the nosebleed I may get from sniffing behind her like I did when it happened in high school.
The Following Saturday. . .
The energy surging through my body has me grateful to see Grandma’s name flashing on my dashboard. Inviting Mica and Kaeden to the bookfair was easy until now. My stomach has been in knots all morning, and my hands have been shaking. Spending one-on-one time with Kaeden and his daughter makes me anxious because Kaeden isn’t a regular guy. I’m unsure if I’m more nervous about Kaeden’s celebrity status or the time we will have together alone.
“Hey, sweet face. Are you in the car right now?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m meeting one of my customers and her father at the book fair Ribax Preparatory Academy is hosting.”
“Oh, really. Do tell me more? I’m intrigued.”
Rolling my eyes, I tighten my grip on the steering wheel while trying to figure out how to tell Grandma about Kaeden. Based on her words not long ago, I’m unsure how this will play out.
“Don’t get quiet now. Out with it, Missy. What makes this young man worthy enough to get such an invitation from you?”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ponder Grandma’s last question because I’m not sure what made me ask Kaeden. Sure, I’m attracted to him and enjoyed our conversation after his practice, but neither warranted the invitation. Of course, my biggest challenge is how much physical response I had to his jealous and territorial nature when our conversation was interrupted by Heath. The level of wetness I had to ignore in my panties after that exchange would have been embarrassing if anyone other than me was aware of it.
“The guy plays football for the Columbus Bobcats, and I—uh, I don’t know why I asked him. I’m still trying to figure out why he’s interested in me.”
“Go on and admit that you find him attractive. There’s nothing wrong with liking a man, Kyelle.”
“I know, but he’s in the public spotlight. How could it w?—”
“The problem with you young folks is that you spend too much time analyzing things that need no thought or question. If that man wants you, he will figure out a way to make something work for the two of you. His being a celebrity isn’t the roadblock you’re attempting to make it out to be.”
