In the picture that her mother showed me, Brooklyn exuded happiness and a sexy confidence in the simplest of outfits because her heart hadn’t been shattered yet. The woman I met had resolved to live her life alone, though she hadn’t yet made peace with that resolution. If she had, she would be the same person as in that photo. I was even more determined to show her what love would be like with the right man.
We’d mingled for the last hour, and she’d managed to smile and talk with others, though I toyed with the app periodically. Her grip tightening on my arm or hand was the only sign she gave of being pleasured. She rushed to the restroom at one point to either relieve the pressure or clean herself. Now her head rested on my shoulder at a table for two, and we sat close enough that I could finger her if I chose to. Too worried that some old teammate, athlete, or sports rep would approach and want to shake my hand kept me from doing so. Instead, the egg took care of Brooklyn while I pointed out different people to her, introducing her to my world. I chuckled whenever her eyes rolled or she closed them briefly.
She whined, sounding like a petulant teenager. “When can we go? Because I don’t see anywhere we can slip away and fuck.”
I bent my head to hers. “You have been so aggressive this whole night. Even the alcohol didn’t relax you. I love you like this.”
She gritted her teeth. “No, the alcohol did nothing but make me want you more. Seriously, Carter, you play way too much to be allFifty Shadeson me at a crowded event.”
“Don’t pretend like I can ever make you do something youreallydon’t want to do.” I sipped on expensive champagne. I’d never been a big drinker, and truth be told, it didn’t take much for me to get drunk, so I steered away from it. “I turned it off a while ago. You’ve come so much tonight, I’m surprised you still want more.”
Brooklyn tugged on my beard. “And I’m surprised, you don’t.”
“Trust, I can’t wait to get you alone. Just want one dance with you.”
She wrapped her arm around mine. “Not really a dancer.”
I kissed her forehead. “Not a dancer either. Want to hold you. Come on.”
Through the crowded dancefloor, I caught a glimpse of Darren. I squinted and moved my head slightly to see if I did see her or if it was my imagination. Over the ten years or so that she and I have been apart, we would run into each other at these events ever so often since her husband was an Olympic Gold medalist.
“Time does heal wounds,” I murmured when the crowd parted enough for me to see her and her husband.
“What?” Brooklyn asked.
Gesturing with my flute, I pointed toward where Darren and Grey danced. “My ex-wife and her husband. Used to hurt to see them together. Now, I can say I’m genuinely happy for them. They have loved each other since high school.”
“Then how did you and she end up together in the first place?” She sipped from my glass.
“He hooked me up with her in college because she crushed on me, and he wasn’t ready for a relationship. Another story, I don’t mind telling you at another time.”
Brooklyn tiptoed to kiss my cheek. “I like that we have time.”
“Me too...” Darren and Grey were headed our way. “They spotted us.”
I raised a brow. “You really ready to be in my life?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Yes.”
“Then let me introduce you and have one dance before we go upstairs to the suite I got us.”
Brooklyn squealed. “I was hoping and wishing once I realized we were at a hotel. Best news I heard all night.”
“Celebrating?” Darren asked with a curious smile. She looked pretty in a strapless blue velvet dress that coordinated with Grey’s crushed velvet tux.
“In a way...Darren and Grey, this is Brooklyn, my lady.” I smiled at Brooklyn.
Grey and I shook hands, and he pulled me in for a man hug. “St. Patrick.”
“Grant,” I called him by his government name to mess with him since he preferred Grey. Back in the day, whenever he called me by my last name, he was angry with me. Now, he did it to fuck with me. “How was the coaching camp? You know the reporter told me.”
He chuckled. “Elle got to spread the news about the family. It was good. You probably need to look into the camp. It wasn’t specific to track and field, and the universities are always looking for former NFL players to coach after what Deion has done for Jackson State.”
“Might have to just to see what coaching is all about. For now, the animal clinic keeps me busy.” I stepped to the side, andGrey greeted and hugged Brooklyn while Darren embraced her longer and whispered something in her ear.
Brooklyn’s slight frown line disappeared into a smile. “True.”
Nudging Grey’s shoulder, I teased, “Can you get your wife before she poisons my woman against me?” I took Brooklyn’s hand and pulled her to my side. “Don’t listen to her.”
