I adjust myself and flip on the TV. ESPN is reviewing this year’s top draft picks. I stare at a few familiar faces as athletes flash on the screen. I thought getting drafted was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I thought my life was set, that I was on the right path. But nothing has gone to plan since I went pro.
Baylee’s right. Not fighting for a comeback feels like quitting. And I’m not a quitter. I didn’t get this far by taking no for an answer. If I really focus on my rehab, maybe I’ll get a second chance.
Hopefully I’ll get that second chance with Baylee too.
When the door unlocks, I slowly climb off the couch, a little unsure what to expect. But Baylee is all smiles.
“Mav, guess what? Leo loved his bottle!”
“All right, little man. High five.” I take his hand and tap it with mine, and his lips tug up on one side. “He’s totally smiling.”
She turns him around and we both look down at the baby. “I don’t know if that counts.”
“It counts.” Turning, I stop to look at her. Her hair is up in a crazy bun that she always used to do in high school. “Hey.” Leaning down, I press my lips to hers, and she sighs. “In case I’ve never told you, I’ve always thought your hair looks hot as fuck like this.”
Reaching up, she pats her hair like she’s forgotten how she styled it. “It’s messy.”
“It’s sexy. I can kiss your neck this way.” After I take Leo’s basket and put him down, I lean over and graze her neck. She lets out a little giggle that tells me she likes this too. Then I bite her, and she squeals. “Can I lick it and make it feel better?”
“Mav.”
“What? I’m down to lick anything that needs some TLC.” Idemonstrate against the soft patch of skin on her shoulder I just nipped.
She snorts, but her face is flushed and she’s breathing hard. Christ, she’s beautiful, but I can’t get carried away. I peck her on the lips. “Okay, enough shenanigans.”
“Shenanigans? What, are you eighty?” she teases.
“Your mother once told me I was an old soul, so yes, shenanigans. Now tell me about the bottle. Which nipple did he like?”
“Mm. I don’t remember the brand, but it looked like an hourglass.”
“Is that the one that came with the bottle that looks like a boob?” I hold up my hand and mimic the size and press it to her tit. “Because I figured it seemed like something he’d be familiar with.”
Laughing, she swats my hand away. We stand there smiling at each other.
“I like this. I lo—I like you.” Shit. I almost told her I love her. I can’t go making declarations like that. She might spook.
She takes my hand in hers. “I like you too.”
“Well, duh, I’m awesome.”
She rolls her eyes with a grin. “How was your day?”
“Good. I was pretty relaxed. I wonder why.”
“’Cause I sucked your soul out through your dick?”
It’s my turn to snort, and I grab her and tickle her until she screeches with laughter. Once I have her pinned to the wall, I kiss her slow and deep. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to ruin my surprise.”
“There’s a surprise? Does it involve this?” She reaches between us to rub my cock, which is very happy to see her.
Grabbing her wrists, I pin them above her head. “No dick before dinner. Don’t wanna ruin your appetite.” I wink at her like an idiot, and she snickers.
She leans up on her toes and licks my neck. “That’s a shame.”
Keep it in your pants, man.“I did a thing, and I wanna show you.”
Her expression grows serious. “Okay. Let’s go see the thing.”
