Page 25 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“One last question, Miss Allen. We know you have a busy schedule.”
“My bedtime isn’t until seven o’clock, I have time,” she interrupted, and I couldn’t suppress my smile.
In a matter of minutes, this little girl had stolen my heart. She was beyond sweet, and I could tell she was loved by her maintained ponytails and flower-printed dress.
“The group wants to know. What do you want to be when you grow up?” I asked.
What I really wanted to ask was if your daddy had a girlfriend and other children.
“A farmer,” she said.
I smiled again before I clapped my hands. The group soon joined in, giving her a round of applause.
“Thank you, Harley, for your honest answers,” I said, and her smile beamed.
Marcus lifted his daughter in the air and kissed her face. He placed her on his lap and licked his lips at me. “It’s my turn,” he said.
I pulled my locs behind my ear to stall. Nervous energy surrounded me, something I hadn’t experienced in years when it came to interviewing.
“Okay. Mr. Allen, what makes you an elite wide receiver?” I questioned.
“Ms. Mia, you didn’t extend the mic,” Harley reminded.
I acknowledged her statement and extended my hand toward Marcus. “My ability to always catch a running target,” he answered in a coated response.
Clearing my throat, I pulled the mic back to me. “Isn’t that the job of a wide receiver, Mr. Allen?” I countered.
Harley peered up at her father as he stared at me. “My ability to catch the difficult ones puts me in the elite category.”
My eyes toggled over to Kindness, and she grinned while dancing her brows.
“What is the contributing factor to you and Bryce’s connection?” I asked to get everyone in the room back on track.
“Time, patience, trust, and the willingness of both parties. Relationships are an investment,” he said.
“It doesn’t appear to me you need media training, Mr. Allen,” I said with a lifted brow.
“I can assure you, I do,” he answered, and I chuckled.
“Harley, how would you grade him?” I asked, and she waved her hand in a so-so manner.
The room laughed again, and I found myself smiling as Marcus tickled her. She squirmed and giggled, captivating everyone in the room.
Marcus
I tapped Granny’s good knee, as Harley would say, to wake her from her sleep. She raised her eyelids, filled to the brim with wisdom, and focused on me.
“I’m going to pick up Harley. I might take her out for some ice cream. Will you be okay for a few hours by yourself?” I asked.
She pursed her lips together. “I’m old, not incapable. I’m going from the bathroom back to this chair. Judge Moore is coming on in a minute. She gets down to the point. I got my phone,” she said.
I kissed her forehead and headed to the garage. With the sun shining, I pulled out my baby, my ’86 Cutlass. I bagged out the driveway but paused when Bryce airdropped me his location.
Bryce
Meet me here.
I chuckled before I texted back.
