Page 17 of Love's Instant Replay
“Where’s Mica’s mother?”
Sitting back against the booth, I nod before giving Kyelle a quick rundown about what took place between Meshay and me, along with her walking out on Mica and I. Fire flashes in Kyelle’s eyes when I stop talking, and I fight the urge to kiss the deep frown from her lips.
“You mean to tell me that—that—umph, I don’t even know what to call her scraggly ass.” A deep laugh escapes my mouth at hearing Kyelle’s moniker for Meshay while fighting for a perfect description of my baby mama.
“Whoa, you’re wild. Did you call that woman scraggly like she’s a dog?”
“Mhm. Only dogs walk away from their children without a care in the world. No decent mother worth her salt woulddo such a despicable act like that. I’m disgusted.” Pushing her coffee cup away, Kyelle’s nose twists like something foul is in the air.
“It’s cool. Cupcake is and always will be good. As long as she has me, she will never have a moment of lack.”
The area around Kyelle’s eyes releases the tightness from a moment ago, and the storm clouds in her eyes burst into twinkling lights as she speaks.
“Aw, that’s such a cute little name.”
“Now that we have that heavy topic out of the way. What else would you like to know about me? Mica excluded because while I love my daughter, I don’t want her to dominate this right here.”
“Why are you interested in a woman not in the spotlight? I would think you would want someone in your circle.”
With every encounter with Kyelle, my interest increases, and my heart expands from her ability to riddle me with something I’ve never experienced.
“I have been there and done that. Now, I’m looking for someone who isn’t looking for the noise surrounding their attachment to me. In my world, finding a woman who challenges me to be more than my performance on the field is rare. You’re that woman, and I’m chasing the realness you bring to the table.”
“Good answer.” Kyelle nods.
“That’s my truth. What else you got?”
“Don’t you want to ask me questions too?”
“In time. Now, what else do you want to know?”
While I’m anxious to learn more about Kyelle, I’m more interested in hearing her melodic voice. I could listen to Kyelle talk for twenty-four hours and still crave the sound of her voice.
“This is the last one for tonight. I know you probably had practice and should be getting home. I also have to open the bookstore early, so I probably should also be mindful ofthat. Anyway, what’s something people assume about you that’s totally wrong?”
“I’d operate on an hour of sleep if it meant continuing this conversation.”
“What?” Kyelle grins like she doesn’t believe my words, causing me to seek clarification.
For countless minutes, Kyelle simply watches me with assessing eyes as I photograph every feature on her face. My chest tightens and releases upon seeing fatigue simmering beneath the curiosity in Kyelle’s eyes.
“Answer the question, please,” Kyelle says after several beats of silence.
“People look at me and all they see is the guy who makes plays, and they assume I’m strength and swagger. But what they don’t see is the softness underneath. The part of me that longs for love that’s written in most influential love poems intentional and full of meaning. The truth is, when I look at you, everything calms down. You make me feel seen, . . . not as the player everyone cheers for but as the man who just wants to be loved for who he is when the stadium lights go dark.”
“Well, damn,” Kyelle whispers, like my words caught her off guard.
But this is my truth and why I have remained single since Meshay walked out the door. Sure, I’ve had my time where I’ve let my dick talk and I’ve walked into situationships. Yet none of those encounters have been able to penetrate the part of me longing for something long-term and eternal. Pussy comes a dime a dozen, but soul-binding commitment is the one thing I’m still working to obtain. I not only owe it to Mica to find someone capable and with the fortitude to stay forever. But I believe it’s what I deserve because damn it, . . .I’m a fucking good man, Savannah,and I refuse to settle for anything less.
“Give me the details and I’ll meet you there,” Kyelle says, cutting into my thoughts and agreeing to attend the barbecue with me.
Barbecue Day. . .
Standing in front of my full-length mirror, I twist from side to side analyzing the denim romper that hugs my curves in all the right places. But I’m still unsure if this is the right outfit for the evening. My bed is covered with summer dresses, shorts, shirts, accessories, and even a few pairs of shoes. The playlist of smooth R&B humming in the background isn’t working to settle the torment raging inside me. Sighing, I run my hands down the front of the romper again, pursing my lips while analyzing every curve and ripple on full display. My natural curls are in an updo, and gold hoops brush my cheekbones. I look great, but I don’t feel it.
“Chill, Kyelle. It’s just a barbecue with Kaeden and a few of his friends. It’s not like you’re meeting his mother. But damn wh—ugh, focus.”
Grabbing a different pair of earrings, I stare at them intently, wondering if they’ll work better than what I have on.
