I bit my lip and shook my head. The earnestness in his tone and the sincerity of his words got me. “Okay,” I murmured.
“So, you forgive me?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.” He sounded relieved.
“Now can you please tell me about this meeting?” I insisted, taking another bite of food.
“The Crocs are interested in picking me up to bring onto their active roster—”
My eyes bulged. “That’s incredible, Lamar! Wh-what are you going to do? What did you say? Is that allowed?” My questions came at him in rapid succession.
He chuckled lightly and continued talking. “My agent and my manager asked me what I wanted. I told them I wanted to play, but if I could stay in Maryland, that’s what I would want to do. So the four-o’clock meeting was with the Monarchs’ front office. We used the Crocs as a bargaining chip because you can’t deprive a practice squad player the opportunity to go to a team and be on the active roster. So we talked about what that would look like, especially with Channing being on injured reserve for the rest of the season. And long story short, I have a contract. As of tomorrow morning, I’ll officially be number one on the depth chart for the Monarchs.”
“Lamar!” I gasped, dropping my fork. Even though I’d known where the story was headed, hearing him confirm that he was taking over Channing’s spot as the first string defensive tackle made me want to shout. “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! This is so cool! How do you feel?”
“Thank you! I feel good. I feel ready for the opportunity. I’m not even going to front like this ain’t a dream come true. I had my exit strategy ready, my business is almost ready, and I was ready for it not to happen. I didn’t think it was in the cards for me, but I guess it is.”
“When it’s your time, it’s your time! This is so exciting!”
“I told you it was an important, can’t-miss type of meeting. I wouldn’t miss seeing you for some bullshit.”
I smiled. “Not you hitting me with anI told you soafter burying the lede!”
“No, I led with what was most important. It was the second time work interrupted our plans. I’m not trying to waste your time. I have every intention of following through when I make plans with you, so I needed to let you know I was sorry first.”
My stomach fluttered. “I know it wasn’t intentional. And I appreciate the apology and the fact that you handled it the way that you did.” I shook my head, in awe. “This is such a big deal. It wouldn’t have taken away from your apology. This is major, Lamar. I’m so happy for you. You should do something to celebrate tonight… but not too much because you have practice and a contract to sign in the morning.”
“I can’t do the only thing I want to do,” he whispered.
My lower body clenched.
It wasn’t just what he’d said; it was the way he’d said it. I knew I could either feed into the sexual undertone of it, or I could keep the conversation friendly. I stuffed salad in my mouth to give me time to think.
“What are you eating?” I asked after swallowing. “You could celebrate with a nice dinner.”
He scoffed. “You want me to celebrate with the wings I’m going to throw in the air fryer?”
“Nothing wrong with air fryer wings.” I paused. “Except the lack of grease to make it taste the way it should. Outside of that, you’re good.”
He burst out laughing. “In the offseason, I fry chicken. During the season, I bake it or air fry it. But don’t sleep on my air fry chicken until you’ve tried it.”
“Let me find out you do your thing in the kitchen.”
“I have skills.”
“Yes, you do,” I blurted without thinking.
Shit.
“That’s what got you that contract,Hollywood!” I exclaimed, trying to cover my admission. “What did your mom and Bill say?”
“I haven’t told anyone else yet. You were my first call.”
My heart leapt into my throat momentarily. “I’m the first one you told?”
“You’re the only one I’ve told. I’m about to call them and then Erickson in a couple minutes.”
