“Yeah, Olivia.”
“Not Olivia, babe. It’s Carmen. I’m watching the news and with everything coming to an end, you were the first person on my mind. I’ve missed you all month long, Fohr.”
I listened to Carmen as I watched Kit’s chest deflate. The pain of Carmen’s words contorted her beautiful face. She placed a hand on her chest as she shoved a dagger into mine.
“Unfortunately, Carmen, there will be many more months you will find yourself missing me. Whatever we had before this all began is all we’ll ever have. I’m no longer a free agent. I’ve been–”
My line buzzed. This time, I checked the screen. Olivia’s name appeared, confirming my suspicions. I pulled my briefs over my ass and followed up with a pair of sweats.
“I have to go, Carmen. Do me a solid one and delete my digits from your contacts.”
“Fo–”
I clicked over, answering Olivia’s call while watching Kit snap her bra behind her. She was moving hastily. Swift movements were unfitting. She was slow to do everything. Slow to trust. Slow to find comfort. Slow to laugh. Slow to speak. Slow to move.
She lived a slow, soft life, and I had every reason to believe I’d just complicated that. Though I’d done absolutely nothing wrong, the situation was still a mind-fuck.
“Yes, Olivia.”
“We’re on our way in. We have your meds. Your flight leaves in under an hour. We have to get your first dose in your system and you up in the air by the time it leaves. The team has an emergency meeting and practice immediately after. See you in a second.”
She ended the call before I could respond. Kit was clothed in a top and working her skirt up her body. She’d skipped one of the most important steps of her routine, proving she was affected by the call from Carmen.
“Kit–” I started, trying to determine my course of action and the correct words to express my sincerest apology.
I never wanted her to hear another woman’s voice on my line if it wasn’t my mother or Olivia. Carmen was something to do in-season when there was nothing else to do. There was nothing special about our connection, nothing special about her.
“It’s fine, Fohr.”
“Then, why are you gnawing your bottom lip like that and why haven’t you stopped to moisturize your body?”
“Because– didn’t you hear Olivia? They’re on their way inside. I need to be dressed.”
“They can wait.”
“It’s fine, Fohr. I jus–”
“Did the call upset you?”
She nodded, admitting the obvious.
“That’s nothing,” I explained, closing the gap between us.
“I didn’t think it was. But, the fact remains. I can’t control how I feel right now, Fohr. And, that scares me. Because, there will be more Carmens. There will always be a Carmen wanting you and wanting your attention as much as I do. And, that bothers me.”
“It doesn’t matter who wants me, love, not when all I want is you. You have my undivided attention and always will. Rest your worries knowing just that.”
I kissed her lips and pulled her in for a hug. I wrapped my arms around her trembling frame. I understood exactly where she was coming from. Had it been the other way around and I’d be in the same or worse shape.
“FOHR!” Olivia’s voice rang out in the distance.
I took Kit by the hand and led her out of my bedroom. We met Olivia in the hallway. Behind her was Sherman, DeWayne, Hemp, and Sam. The dream team, as they referred to themselves. But, in reality, they were just my team. The machine behind the muscle and I was thankful for them all for different reasons.
“Oh, there you are. Here–”
She handed me a bottle with only four pills inside.
“Two now. Two later,” she told me.
