Not only was Mellow deserving, so was I. Since she’d come into my world, I’d experienced a different level of peace and comfort and joy. To lose that would be ignorant of me. To lose her would be the end of me. I wouldn’t have it. Not in this lifetime and not in any others.
She was stunned to find everyone she loved in one room. Everyone except one person. The person she loved almost more than she loved herself.Her person. Her Teddy.
“Chemistry sends his love,” I whispered, bringing her closer.
“And, I send mine,” she responded, taking me by the hand.
She pulled me toward the empty seats at the head of the table. One reserved for me. One reserved for her. We both sat down, unable to hide the smiles that uprooted every feature on our faces.
Everyone around the table was full of cheer. Prima Ballerina and MVP. Our talent preceded us. Their celebration was inevitable. Stopping for a brief second to reflect on the moment was necessary. Matrimony was in order as well. More than anything, the thought of it is what had the gears in my head and heart turning.
Marrying Rome would be my proudest moment. My greatest accomplishment. It didn’t matter that most didn’t consider marriage an accomplishment.
They weren’t marrying Rome so it wasn’t understood. We weren’t on the same field. We didn’t share the same experiences. My baby was the highest achievement. Everything about her said so.
“How you feeling, baby?”
“Comfortable,” she responded, resting her head on my shoulder.
Balle relaxed underneath her palm, enjoying every stroke of her hand.
“Good,” I whispered, kissing her forehead. “That’s exactly how I want you to feel, my love.”
EPILOGUE
I rolled over to find Saint sitting up in bed. His eyes were pinned on the ninety-five inch monitor across the room.
“In today’s news, a fall from grace. This is News Channel 228 with your latest on Aliza Frison,” Anne, the anchor began. “It began just five months ago when soon-to-be Prima Ballerina of Huff Theater wound up in the hospital with failing organs and a system that couldn’t seem to regulate itself. Just before she fell into a coma, she insisted the theater bring in–”
“Can we–”
The television powered off at once. The story had been circulating for twenty-four hours, making its rounds on all the news stations in Clarke, though it was weeks old.
“Don’t worry,I’ll handle it,” Royce promised.
“She’s dead, Ro. What more is there to be done?”
“Let the entire world know she was a psychotic ass bitch that belonged in a fucking mental facility, not on the fucking stage where she couldn’t get ahead to save her own goddamn life. Ditzy ass bitch! Fucking bag of bones!”
“Ro–”
“I’m going to make sure her headstone reads that she fucked with the right one this time. And, I will make sure that bitch never rests in peace.”
“On my soul,” Roulette agreed.
“Every time the ground starts to settle, I’m going to have them dig her dirty ass up.”
Royce had kept her word.She didn’t care that Aliza had died. She still wanted her character flaws on full display.
Saint slid down in bed, closing the gap between us. I pushed my backside into him. My arousal had awakened me.
His hand snaked around my body, lifting the oversized shirt of his that I wore religiously. It was one of twelve of his championship shirts. I was a proud fiancée. I wanted everyone around to know that my man hadn’t only won the championship, but he was the MVP–on and off the court.
His shaft pressed against my clit. My body trembled as he slid it up and down my slippery slope, preparing for his intrusion. I held my breath, anticipating the very moment he breached my boundaries.
Saint’s left hand wrapped around my neck. He angled my body toward his, giving him access to my lips. He lowered his onto mine before pushing his tongue into my mouth. Simultaneously, he entered me.
“Uhhhhhh,” I moaned against him.
