by Mary Smith
“A large part.”
“Have you heard from him?”
Mikayla nodded. “At least twenty times a day. He texts me telling me what he’s doing.”
Elexis giggled. “Who would have thought you’d tame Jarvis Richter.”
Mikayla joined in with laughter. “Who would have thought?”
As the class finished and students rushed out the door, Mikayla remained seated, staring at her grade from her mid-term.
A.
The letter was in bright red ink and next to it the professor wrote Excellent job!
Mikayla couldn’t remember the last time she had grades like this. Probably never. Finally, she packed up her items and left the classroom to go to her car. She texted Shade about having lunch together. Of course, he said yes and would be at his house.
When she arrived at Shade’s, she didn’t knock, she just punched in the code, walked in, and called out his name.
“Kitchen,” he hollered back.
When Mikayla turned the corner, Shade had prepared two ham sandwiches.
“What up, bro?” Mikayla questioned, jumping onto the barstool at the breakfast bar.
“I figured this is serious.” He placed the plate in front of her with a glass of Hi-C Fruit Punch.
“A lot has happened the past week,” she began, watching him pick up his plate and glass of water and sat next to her.
“Okay, I’m listening.”
The sandwich appeared mouthwatering with all her favorite toppings, but her stomach was flipping with nervousness and she couldn’t take one bite. She made the decision to start from the beginning about Jarvis. Shade deserved the truth. Obviously, she omitted the parts of the sexual activities. Moving onto New York City, she gave Shade the details about Jean and her new job title.
“I want you to have this.” Mikayla pulled out a check from her purse setting on the floor. “Jean gave me an advance on my pay. This is me paying the rent back.”
“First, I knew you and Jarvis were hopping beds.”
“What?” Mikayla exclaimed. “How is that possible?”
“You two had goo-goo eyes for one another anytime you were around each other. It’s not rocket science to figure it out.” He chuckled, popping the last piece of his sandwich into his mouth. “And I don’t want your check.” He pushed it back over to her.
“Shade, I appreciate everything—”
“I don’t do it for the praise.” He cut her off. “You’re my family. I love you, and I want to help you. Take the check and put the money in the bank or start an IRA. Okay?”
Tears began to build up from his kind words. “You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for.”
“You’re the best lil sis.” He leaned in and kissed her temple. “Now, how excited are you about this job?”
Feeling relaxed, she dove into her sandwich and told him in between bites about all her apprehensions and visions of what it all entails. Shade cleared the empty plates as she finished her ramblings, but he only praised her talents.
Just then the front door opened and Jenessa strolled in.
“Hey.” Shade’s face lit up seeing his wife. “What are you doing home?”
“This is my house as well.” Her snide comment made Shade’s smile fall. “Why are you here?” Her attitude jumped over to Mikayla.
“I came over to chat with my brother and mooch food,” Mikayla snipped back at her.
“Your brother? Are you seven?” Jenessa was sneering.
“What crawled up your ass and died?” Her tone was clean. She wouldn’t back down.
Jenessa’s glare didn’t make Mikayla cringe, it brought fire.
“Why are you here?” Jenessa questioned again.
“I got a job,” Mikayla informed her.
“Is it porn?” she quipped.
“You think that’s the only talent I have?” She kept her tone even.
“Yes, because you’re not doing anything else,” she growled.
“I’m working for a fashion designer named Jean.” She stood up. “And I figured my sister would be happy.”
Jenessa scoffed. “A fashion designer? Those are a dime a dozen. It won’t last.”
Anger boiled through Mikayla causing her fists to ball up. Part of her brain told her just to leave, but the other part told her not to back away from the fight.
“For once why don’t you stop being a fucking bitch and just say good job.” Mikayla’s voice never raised but the point came across clearly.
“Why do you feel the need to be coddled for being an adult?” Jenessa jabbed. “All you have done is dip into our bank account time after time. You’re an irresponsible slut.”
“Jenessa!” Shade roared next to her causing them both to jump.
“Nes, I’ve tried and tried to walk around you while you mourn your loss, but I’m over you, your shitty attitude, and your fucking mouth. If you want to push everyone away and drown yourself in paperwork until you take your last breath, then you’ll die a miserable bitch. I hope Shade divorces you because he deserves better and as for me don’t worry, I’ll never contact you again.” Mikayla grabbed her purse and left without another word.
Chapter Eight
The second his eyes were opened Jarvis wanted to go to Mikayla’s house. It had been a long several days without her. Texting and the few phone calls were not enough. He rushed into the shower and quickly got ready.
When he jumped into his car, he turned on the radio and listened to the latest sports podcast. He planned everything out to see her this morning. It all seemed cheesy, but he didn’t care.
He was a guy in love.
In love with Mikayla.
Stopping first at The Latte Bean, he picked up her favorite coffee and cheese Danish then made his way to her house. He wasn’t proud of it, but he drove past her house numerous times when they were just screwing around. All before confessing his true feelings to her.
Checking the time, he knew it would be perfect for his surprise. Getting out of the car, he leaned against the hood and faced her front door. He didn’t have to wait long before Mikayla came strolling out. Her eyes met his almost immediately and that smile made his heart race.
“Good morning,” she greeted him when she was a few feet away.
His gaze traveled up and down her body. Her skinny jeans hugged her hips and highlighted her ass. Jarvis’s memories of being buried deep inside her with her ass in the air entered his mind. Her New Hampshire Bears T-shirt made him smile because it said My growl is better than yours.
“Cat gotcha tongue?” she questioned when she stopped in front of him.
“Oh, I’d like something on my tongue.” He wagged his eyebrows at her.
“It’s too early for your perverted comments.” She tried to hide her smile, but he saw right through it.
“I have a very hot vanilla latte for my hot girlfriend and a very creamy, delicious pastry. It is as sweet as between—”
“Enough.” She cut him off. “Where are they?”
He chuckled. “In the car. Come on, I’ll drive you to campus.”
“I can drive myself.”
“I know, but I’d like to hang out with you today.” He reached for her hand.
“Aren’t you working today?” She squeezed his hand.
“I am, but I figured I could take you to campus. When I pick you up, we’ll grab some lunch, and we can hang out.” He flashed his sexy smile.
“Why don’t you just say Netflix and chill or better yet…” She leaned into him pinning his hips to the car with hers. “Just tell me that’s a leather belt you’re wearing.”
His cock twitched. “It is. Why don’t you skip school and come home with me?”
“Nope.” She quickly moved away from him. “I don’t skip school.” Opening the car door, she slid into the seat.
Jarvis laughed and jogged over to the driver’s side. He handed her the latte and Danish before driving toward the college.
“Who are you working out with
today?” Mikayla asked.
“Edgar, Dag, Zerrick, and Walker. Oh, and of course Shade.”
“Ooohhh, good luck. He’s going to tease the hell out of you.” She took a bite of her Danish.
“I’m ready.” He knew when she told Shade it would be coming. “I’m not scared of him.”
“You should be.”
Jarvis chuckled again. His teammates were good people. Teasing, pranking, and laughing at each other was just part of their charm. They always had each other’s back.
“This was delicious. Thank you.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“You’re welcome.” He parked at the corner near the building for her class. “Text me when you’re ready to be picked up.” He leaned over and kissed her, tasting the sweetness of the Danish on her lips. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She gave him one more kiss before exiting the car.
He watched her—and only her—go into the building. His cheeks hurt from the large smile on his face. As he pulled from the curb and toward the player’s gym, his phone rang through the speakers.
“G’morning, Joy,” he answered.
“I received two new contracts for you, but I sent them to your lawyer first.” She was all business.
He enjoyed having her by his side. There were only a few people he trusted. Joy was number one.
“You’re not signing me up for something insane, right?”
“We’ll see,” she joked. “I’m trying to broaden your horizons.”
“My horizons?”
“Shut up and trust me, I’ll check in later. I need to go to my appointment.”
Her words caused him to sit up straighter. “Are you okay? I can come with you.”
“I’ll be fine. I need to do this on my own, Jarvis.”
It killed him because he couldn’t fix her but admired her strength. “I love you, Joy. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
“I know. Love you.” She ended the call, but he still heard the crack in her voice.
Jarvis knew she had more to deal with than he did. He couldn’t even imagine the pain she felt not knowing what happened that night. However, he could keep a closer eye on her now since she’ll be in New Hampshire with him.
When he parked at the arena several of the guys were already waiting outside. Normally, when a season ended players scattered all over the world. The Bears were different because the majority of the players stayed around. They were a brotherhood. No other team he’d played on was ever this close.
“About time you showed up?” Walker called out as he approached them.
“I had to drive my girlfriend to class,” Jarvis informed them.
“Oh, man,” Shade mumbled.
“Wait. Wait. Wait,” Zerrick repeated several more times. “You? You have a girlfriend?”
“Are you sleep deprived or something?” Edgar questioned next.
“I’m dating Mikayla and we’re in love,” he announced with great pride.
The group turned to Shade, who pinched the bridge of his nose. After a few seconds, he dropped his hand and sighed. “It’s true. He’s telling the truth,” Shade confirmed.
The guys’ eyes moved back to Jarvis. All in shock.
“Have you ever had a girlfriend?” Walker asked.
“Nope.”
“Have you been in love? You know with someone other than yourself?” Edgar half-joked.
“Well, I’m happy for you,” Dag finally spoke up before letting Jarvis answer the question.
“Now, I can get rid of all those other numbers since I’m only sticking my dick in one girl.” He only said it to get a rise out of Shade.
“No. No. No.” Shade shook his head.
It worked.
“There will be no sex talk about my sister.” He ordered, glaring at Jarvis. “Would you want someone to discuss Joy’s—”
“Enough. I got it.” He definitely made his point. “She’ll never date a hockey player anyway.”
“We’re not so bad.”
Everyone turned to see the Bears’ General Manager, Cabel Dirks, walking toward them with Jackson Plumley next to him. Jarvis glared at Jackson.
“You guys are working out today, right?” Cabel inquired.
“Yes,” they answered in unison.
“Great. Jackson’s going to join you.” He slapped him on the shoulder.
“I thought Janan was going to—”
“No.” Cabel cut off Jarvis’s question. “Nova and Janan received an outstanding letter from Joy stating why Jackson should stay. They’ve put him on a probation of sorts. Therefore, he’s your teammate and should be treated as such.” Cabel gave a stern look to the group.
As much as he wanted to tell Jackson to drop dead, he had a deep respect for Cabel and the owners. He wouldn’t cross them. However, he definitely needed to know what Joy said in that letter.
“Have a good workout.” Cabel turned and went back inside leaving them alone.
“Come let’s go,” Edgar spoke up after several seconds of uncomfortable silence.
Jackson slowly stepped back to let Jarvis through. He tried not to give him a second look as he passed. He came to hang out with his friends and get his daily workout in.
The Bears gym had been redone this past season. Every machine was top of the line. Some weren’t even out to the mainstream yet, but the Bears had them.
Jarvis always started on the treadmill. A light jog helped get his heartrate up before starting on weights. The guys chatted around the room. Dag and Elexis were the current hot topic since they were a new couple. He believed he and Mikayla were the hottest looking couple. It was a title he was proud to hold. Edgar and Greer were, what he called, the parents of the team. Every team had a den mother. For the Bears, it was Greer. Walker just went through a nasty divorce. Jarvis never knew a man who had been so desperate to be married and have a family. He’d caught Walker, more than once, crying in the locker room about his wife and his future. Zerrick reminded him of himself. Zerrick had belt and cane marks before, but Jarvis never commented on them. The one difference, Zerrick was a full-on submissive. Jarvis knew the signs and he had them all. But Zerrick was single. Or at least, he said he was.
Jumping off the treadmill the attention moved to Shade. Jarvis knew his home life had lost all its love since the death of his baby. Mikayla had told him even more than Shade had let on.
“I guess everything is still the same,” Shade said, glancing a worried look over to Jarvis.
He would never break Shade’s or Mikayla’s trust in their situation. Jarvis was an asshole but not that big of one.
“What about you, Jackson?” Shade moved the attention away from him. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Jackson cradled the bar from the bench press and sat up. “Not really. I’m talking to this girl, but it’s more of a friendship type of relationship.”
Anger pulsed through Jarvis again. Joy told him she and Jackson had been talking. He wasn’t pleased about it. He wanted to control Joy to the point she wouldn’t even think of Jackson but that would never happen. Joy couldn’t and wouldn’t be controlled.
Another hour past and the guys were sweaty. Grunts came from all around the room. No one could say the Bears didn’t work hard. Time and time again, reports came out saying the Bears would win the championship every year if it were based on heart.
But sadly, it was not.
Hour three approached and Jarvis’s arms, legs, and chest were on fire. Shaking out his muscles, he went to the fridge to grab a water and a cool towel.
“So, you and Mikayla, huh?”
Jarvis smirked as Shade stepped up next to him and reached for a water bottle.
“Pissed or shocked?”
“Neither. You two are not good at hiding your looks or feelings.” He twisted off the top of the bottle, taking a couple of swigs. “Just don’t hurt her.”
Jarvis knew Shade loved her as if she were his blood sister. “I promise you. This isn’t some game. I rea
lly love her.”
“Then don’t hurt her,” he repeated, flashing a small, sad smile before going back toward the gym.
Jarvis yelled out to his teammates. “See ya tomorrow.” He rushed out because he needed to clean up and change before Mikayla texted him.
Jarvis had already been waiting outside the building when Mikayla’s text came through. His plan was to take her home, and they could fuck until tomorrow’s dawn. But he needed food first as did she.
He smiled when his eyes landed on her. Now, the only thing he wanted to eat was her.
“Hey,” she greeted him as she sat down in the car.
“Hello to you too.” He grinned as dirty thoughts continued to spin in his mind.
“What’s for lunch?” she questioned.
“Really? No kiss? No handjob? Just ‘what’s for lunch’?” He only half-joked about the handjob.
“Feed me first, then we’ll talk about a handjob.” She smirked.
“I could feed you my cock.” He slid his hand up her thigh, but she stopped him.
“Food. Now.” She gave him a command.
Her tone made his dick jump. Food definitely wasn’t on his mind now.
“Let’s grab a sub,” she suggested.
Jarvis knew exactly where to go. Keeping his hand on her thigh, she began to tell him about her classes for the day. When she first told him about going back to school, he didn’t pay much mind to it. In truth, Mikayla had to be one of the smartest people he knew. Not just in fashion sense, but she had a keen eye for business too.
As he pulled into the popular deli, the place was packed. After he parked, they strolled inside hand-in-hand. Jarvis’s elation could barely be contained. For so long, he wished for this moment and he wasn’t going to let it go.
Ever.
Because of the crowd, Mikayla stood with her back pressing against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair and inhaled. The lavender brought a smile to his face.
“You’re making me hard,” he whispered in her ear and pulled her closer.
“Must be because of the fresh baked bread,” she joked.
“Nope.” He nuzzled her and nibbled just below her ear. “It’s all you.”