Page 131 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“Daddy will play nice. Right?” Mia said, with a threat riding in her tone.
“Stedman is going to play nice, isn’t he?” Allison said to her husband.
He extended his hand in my direction for a shake, but I didn’t budge.
“Daddy, you are supposed to say sorry and shake hands,” Harley said with hopeful eyes.
“Shake it,” Mia requested with hiked brows, and my nostrils flared.
I did one better. I reached in for a hug, pulling him into my body. “Fuck you,” I whispered in his ear.
“Feeling is mutual,” he said, and we released.
By the time Bryce finally made it with Kindness to the buses, I was heated. We slapped hands as Mia and Kindness talked.
“You cool?” he asked.
“Ed brought his ass over here, creating play dates and shit. Then Allison tried a let’s be friends’ handshake,” I said, and Bryce held his stomach, laughing.
“I’m knocking him and Ed out,” I said to Bryce, and he walked away, still holding his stomach.
“Because he introduced his wife?” he questioned.
“He took it a step further and brought a few other wives to meet Mia,” I replied.
When Bryce made it back to me, his face was red as he gasped for air.
“Man, keep your hands off Ed. Chill out on Stedman. He’s not getting a new contract and hopefully, Vick won’t either,” Bryce said as we moved to board the bus.
Turning the last corner of the ride, I was hype and half naked. The crowd calling us champs did it for me.
“Marcus, put your shirt back on!” Mia warned.
I kissed her cheek and slid my shirt over my head. The bus stopped, and the band switched songs. The soft sultry voice of Jhae belted through the speakers on the bus. Mia nudged me, pointing to Bryce on one knee in front of Kindness. He told me he was going to ask, but he neglected to tell me the details. I couldn’t hear her answer, but I figured she said yes when they kissed.
“I see you, Bryce,” I yelled and pointed at him.
Kindness covered her mouth and cackled at me.
A week later
“Marcus, it’s been two weeks. Are you still on the Elite Bowl high?” Dr. Choice asked and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
“I don’t think it’s possible to come down from the championship cloud,” I said.
Things were going good on my side of the world. Mia and Granny both had a great report from the doctor. For the next few weeks, I could focus on getting the house ready. Theconstruction company knew to leave the bedrooms and nursery unpainted. I wanted to paint them, install light fixtures and switches and build Harley’s bed. Afterward, I planned to lay underneath my woman.
“Tell me where to begin?” Dr. Choice asked.
A knock came at the door, pausing my words. The receptionist asked for Dr. Choice, and he stepped out.
I rested my elbow’s on my knees. When the door opened, Mia followed behind Dr. Choice.
“Baby, what are you doing here?” I asked.
The puffy redness of her eyes sent my body into high alert, lifting the hair on my arms. I stood and searched her body with my eyes.
“Are the babies okay? Where is Harley? Is Ms. Renee with Granny?” I asked, and Mia seized my hands and motioned me down to the purple couch.
