Lunchtime Chronicles: Sweet Georgia Peach

by POSEY PARKS

  I peeked up at him. “Just a little.”

  He laughed. “Lakelyn, I had the closet designed with you in mind.”

  My jaw slacked. “Thank you.” Caressing his chest, I devoured his lips.

  “Lakelyn, Lakelyn.” Someone shook my shoulder, bringing me back to my current situation.

  My arm lazily laid across Wyatt’s shins and my face wallowed against the yellow blanket covering his body.

  I must’ve dozed off after they brought him back from surgery. Wyatt’s black hair wildly covered his forehead. He appeared to be in a peaceful slumber. His huge arm hung in a sling. And a compression sleeve hugged his chest and kept his shoulder stable.

  He wasn’t hooked up to any machines. I should talk to the doctor just to make sure he was all right.

  “Lakelyn?”

  I turned toward the familiar voice.

  “Mom.” Jumping out of the recliner, I hugged her with all my might and released the weight of the world onto her shoulders.

  “That’s right, baby let it out.”

  “Mom, I’ve been seeing Oak and now Deacon hates me.”

  She patted my back. “Now, now, honey. He doesn’t hate you. You’re his sister.”

  I stepped back. “Is he here?” My brows lifted.

  She sighed. “No.”

  “I didn’t think so. How did you know I was at the hospital?”

  “Your dad and I were watching the game at the bar up the street from the house.”

  I nodded. “Mom, I need to talk to the doctor.”

  She grabbed my shaky hands. “Have a seat, Lakelyn. Oak will be just fine. His mother and I talked to the doctor an hour ago. This was my third time trying to wake you up. I know you have to study, but you need to get proper rest.”

  Sitting beside her, clutching her hands, I glanced at the door, then back into her brown eyes.

  “I wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet. I’ve kept this secret through the summer.” I exhaled, peeking at her.

  “I’m hungry all the time. I can darn near sleep anywhere.” Pulling up my Jersey, I revealed my tiny belly.

  Her eyes grew the size of saucers and her red lips fell open. “Nobody knows?”

  “Just you, mom.”

  She pulled me back into her embrace. “Congratulations,” she whispered.

  “When do you plan to tell the father?”

  “Soon.”

  She eased back against the light blue sofa. “Now he has five baby mamas,” she whispered, shaking her head.

  A light chuckle rolled from my throat. All I could do was laugh at my new life.

  “Wyatt doesn’t strike me as an irresponsible person. Do you think those other women are having his babies?”

  “No. Something doesn’t feel right about that situation.”

  “Together, you’ll work it out.”

  She grinned, staring at Wyatt. “I told him if he wasn’t careful, he’d lose his best friend.”

  “He doesn’t know yet. Deacon and I were arguing at the game. I’ll tell him later. I hate you figured out I was in love with Oak. And now I’ve confided in you about my pregnancy.” I shook my head.

  “I’m your mother. You’re supposed to confide in me.” She kissed my cheek.

  “Mom, I need to run to the gift shop and buy a pair of sweats. Can you stay with him?”

  She patted my hand. “You stay here. I’ll get them for you.”

  Mom sashayed out of the room in her peach airy blouse and black yoga pants. My belly begged for comfort. Returning to my seat beside Wyatt, I caressed his hand.

  His eyes fluttered open. “Lakelyn,” he winced.

  “Take it easy. I’ll get the doctor and your parents.”

  “Wait. Let me look at you a second.”

  “Oak, what happened on the field?”

  “Fuck, my shoulder hurts like a bitch.” His eyelids lowered.

  “Relax. Here.” I placed the morphine button in his hand. “You need to rest. We can talk later.”

  His hand caressed mine. “Promise...you won’t leave.”

  “I won’t leave.”

  “Lakelyn.” His lids lowered.

  His gray eyes peeked at me again.

  “I need to play this season.”

  “With the proper training, you’ll be back on the field in no time.”

  “So, you’ll help me?” His sad eyes held mine.

  “Oak, there are plenty of physical therapists out there who could help.”

  “No. I want the best. You.”

  His career meant the world to him. “I’ll help you regain motion and strengthen your arm.”

  He dropped the morphine button and lifted my fingers to his mouth. His soft lips lingered over my skin.

  All banged up and this man could still make my knees buckle. Luckily, my bottom graced the recliner beside him.

  “Thank you.” His eyes closed.

  I slipped my hand from his.

  “Lakelyn, lay with me,” he blurted out, a few minutes later.

  “No.”

  He peeked at me. “Later ride my dick.”

  My mouth fell open. “What? No.”

  His big hand caressed my neck, sending shock waves to my pussy.

  “I’m so horny. Last time I had sex was in the shower with you.”

  My cheeks heated. “And before that?”

  “At the hotel. I haven’t had sex with another woman... in over two years.”

  I pressed the morphine button.

  His lids lowered again. “My cock misses you.”

  I placed my hand over his mouth. “Be quiet. I don’t want mom to walk in on our dirty conversation. Rest up, Wyatt.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  WYATT

  My thoughts were all over the place. Must’ve been the morphine.

  “Deacon hasn’t spoken to me...since the Aria.”

  “When were you at your aunt and uncle’s restaurant?”

  I tapped my scratchy throat as I glanced at her beautiful face. Lakelyn grabbed the gray water pitcher, filled a Styrofoam cup with water, then placed the straw between my lips.

  The ice-cold water felt refreshing sliding down my throat.

  “Wyatt, when were you there?”

  I grinned at the sound of my name. Fuck, the drugs were taking over.

  “After we left L.A. He knew about us.”

  “I know. He’s known about us for a while.”

  My eyes flew open. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I just found out today. Sleep, we’ll talk when you wake up. I’ll be right here.”

  Sleep fell upon me like a heavy blanket.

  Our quarterback, Josh Mavis, threw the football in my direction. As I caught the ball, I noticed Lakelyn cupping her hands over her mouth, staring at me. Deacon yelled in her face.

  The Seahawks defensive lineman darted in my direction as I ran toward the fifty-yard line. His shoulder slammed into my torso, knocking me to the ground.

  I hopped up and glanced in their direction again. Bee stood beside Deacon with her arms crossing her chest. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! My best friend set us up. He brought ammunition to the fight.

  “Oakley.” Mavis threw his hands up.

  He mouthed. “What the fuck?”

  I had to continue playing the game. There wasn’t a chance I could shield Lakelyn from the bullshit double team that she was facing.

  Gripping the gate of my helmet was something I’ve always done before a play. In my running stance, I stared at Mavis. The second he stepped backward, pulling the ball back, I weaved down the field. In my periphery, I noticed more yelling between Deacon and Lakelyn. The defensive lineman Tanning darted toward me as I jumped, catching the ball in the air. Another player slammed into my body from behind, knocking the wind out of me. Felt like a freight train struck me.

  Lights Out.

  That was the last thing I remembered before waking up, peering into Lakelyn’s gorgeous, hazel eyes.

  “Lakelyn.”

  She stood, le
aning over me wearing a sweatshirt and joggers.

  “Are you cold?” I’ve asked her that a lot lately.

  She looked down, then met my gaze again. “Yeah.”

  “Lay next to me. I want to hold you.”

  “Wyatt, you are banged up and you had surgery today. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  She wouldn’t stare into my eyes.

  “Baby, I don’t care. After my parents leave, get up here.”

  “Your mom, dad, and Phoebe should be in soon. They went to grab a bite to eat.”

  She danced around my demands.

  “Wait until I can spank that pretty ass again,” I growled.

  A wide smile spread across her lips. “Too bad you can’t. I’m so horny. I’d come long and hard.” She gripped my cock.

  “Too bad there’s a catheter shoved in the head of your dick,” she laughed.

  “Your time over my knee will be here soon enough.”

  “What’s your pain level?”

  “Five.”

  “Liar. Real number.”

  “Eleven.”

  She placed the morphine button in my good hand.

  “Once you’re in the bed with me, I’ll hit the button.”

  Her nostrils flared. “I’m not arguing with you.”

  She pushed my finger down, smashing the button.

  “You’ll thank me later.” Lakelyn grinned.

  “Oh my God, Wyatt,” a woman said, entering the room.

  Lakelyn and I turned in the direction of the voice at the same time.

  Fuck, tell me I’m dreaming.

  “We were so worried about you?” One of the four tall blondes whined. They wore tight jeans and oversized blouses. Maybe to make it appear they were pregnant.

  They halted at the bed opposite of Lakelyn.

  “Bullshit! I’ve never had sex with any of you before. That means, the chances of me getting any of you pregnant is impossible. Get the fuck out of my room,” I bellowed.

  One of the women rubbed my good arm. “Don’t be silly. That night at the orgy was a wild night.” She bit her bottom lip.

  I could feel the heat rolling off Lakelyn’s skin. Thought she would’ve walked out by now.

  “You heard what he said. Get...the...fuck...out,” she enunciated every word, pointing to the door.

  Lakelyn was a woman you didn’t want to piss off.

  Their lips twisted. “We are the mothers of his children. We have the right to stay and make sure he’s ok,” the leader of their little crew stated. She was the first to speak when they walked into the room. They reminded me of stick figures. Nothing like my woman who had a fat ass and thick thighs.

  Lakelyn rounded the bed. “I will beat the shit out of every last one of you if your feet don’t get to moving,” she roared, with balled fists at her sides.

  My family stepped into the room.

  Mom’s eyes grew in size. “You had the audacity to show your faces in my son’s hospital room. Like you care about him. You all have some nerve.”

  Mom stepped next to Lakelyn. “She told you all to get the hell out. Now leave,” she snarled.

  Phoebe pointed to the door. “If you all choose to stay, we can have a nice little southern beat down.” Her chest heaved.

  My sister blossomed into a gorgeous woman.

  “I’m not afraid to get dirty.” She pulled her dark hair into a scrunchy, as she inched closer to the women.

  The beautiful ladies in my life stood up for me. Dad stood near the couch, arms crossed, smiling wide.

  He appeared to enjoy the spectacle that unfolded.

  The leader smacked her lips. “Fine, we’re leaving.”

  Mom held the door open.

  In a single file line, they all but hugged the wall to exit.

  Lakelyn was on their heels. “Don’t fucking come back. Skank bitches.” She shoved her foot into the last woman’s ass. She stumbled, knocking the other three women to the floor.

  The entire room burst into laughter.

  “We’re suing you,” one of them huffed outside the door.

  “Do it! My dad’s the best attorney around. When he’s done, every last one of you will fry frozen burger patties at Krystal’s.”

  “You’re lucky that’s all you got was a kick in the ass. You deserved more,” mom sneered.

  Lakelyn pointed to the women. “Fosco, escort them from the premises please.” She stepped deeper into the room.

  Mom and Phoebe pulled Lakelyn into a hug.

  Dad stepped to my side. “She was a wild one back in the day. They didn’t want any parts of your mother. She put several women in their places when I played ball. That’s why your sister’s a spitfire, too.”

  We laughed. Phoebe winked at me as she sat on the couch, and pressed her phone screen.

  Dad kissed the top of my head. “I’m thankful you’re all right.” Worry laced his gray eyes.

  My dad and I had a good relationship. He stressed the importance of being present on the field. I should’ve been today. But I had to look after my woman.

  “I’ll be fine, dad. Lakelyn’s agreed to be my physical therapist.”

  “That’s mighty nice of you. Most women wouldn’t have stepped in this room due to all the drama surrounding Oak.” Mom grinned.

  Lakelyn’s brows rustled together, staring between us.

  “Why wouldn’t I? I’ve known Oak forever.”

  Mom rubbed Lakelyn’s shoulder. “Honey, the cat's out of the bag. It’s been out of the bag,” she chuckled lightly.

  “Wyatt dreamed to play for the Falcons like his dad, but─”

  “One day he stood staring out the window at you.” Dad pointed at Lakelyn.

  “Wyatt said he needed to play in Atlanta. Lakelyn you were the reason.”

  She smiled.

  “Wyatt told us he’s madly in love with you. And once Deacon finds out, he’ll try to kill him.”

  Lakelyn peeked up at my mother. “My brother informed me today that he’s known about me and Oak. I think he planned to fight him after the game. Deacon won’t let this die. He will fight Oak. Right now, I’m struggling with the decision to move forward and start─”

  “Continue our relationship.”

  Her smile rose and fell. “Continue what we had.”

  She scanned our faces. “My brother disowned me today. Knowing I may never talk to Deacon again has left agonizing pain in my heart. I need time to think.”

  “Oh no,” my sister gasped.

  “Guys, Messy Mandy posted again.” Shock fell over my sister's face as she approached.

  “Oak, look.”

  Everyone pulled out their phones and read the post.

  Wyatt Oakley, you don’t believe in wearing condoms, do you? How many more women will say they’re pregnant before the end of the year?

  How does your best friend, Deacon Hurns, feel about you and his sister hooking up?

  If he didn’t know. He does now.

  Lakelyn Hurns is the fifth woman to get knocked up by NFL football star, Wyatt Oakley.

  Good thing you make one hundred and twenty million dollars a year, because you’ll need that money to pay child support.

  MY MOUTH DROPPED OPEN. I felt excited and angry all at once. Why didn’t Lakelyn tell me?

  “Lake─”

  Her hands flew over her gingerbread cheeks. Not making eye contact with anyone, certainly not me, Lakelyn grabbed her purse.

  “Lakelyn, don’t leave.”

  She fled the room like her hair was on fire.

  Mom, dad, and Phoebe stared at me, too, mouths gaped.

  “If she’s pregnant. I’m telling you she’s the only woman carrying my baby. For the hundredth time, I didn’t sleep with those women,” I roared.

  Searing pain shot through my arm and my heart.

  Mom kissed my cheek. “We know that, Wyatt.”

  Phoebe gripped my foot. “Give her time.”

  I sighed. “Yeah.”

  I didn’t know what t
o believe anymore. How did Messy Mandy find out about Lakelyn’s pregnancy? Was the information true?

  **P**

  For three days, I laid on the sofa watching every news outlet report about the drama that unfolded in my life.

  I sent my friends a group text.

  Me: Who knew Lakelyn was pregnant? Because I had no idea.

  Maxon: Not me.

  Rayne: She appeared overly pissed the night of the award dinner. But she didn’t say anything.

  Sylvie: Now that you mention it, when we arrived in L.A. and sat down with Rayne in Maxon’s office, Lakelyn nursed the drink, I made for her.

  The day of Rayne’s party, I heard Lakelyn vomiting early in the morning. Then she slept until noon. When I mentioned it, she said it must've been the bottle of champagne she drank at the award dinner. I never saw her take a sip.

  Rayne: Shit, me either.

  Me: Thanks guys.

  Deacon sent videos to my phone every day of men fighting. Guess that meant he was coming to beat my ass. Let the games begin.

  Time to see Lakelyn and strengthen this shoulder.

  I walked into the physical therapy office up the street from the Mercedes Benz stadium. The essential oil diffuser caught my eye on the gray standing desk to my right. Citrus and lavender dangled in the air. It reminded me of a diffuser on Lakelyn’s kitchen counter. The cream walls and black floor made for a basic workout area. Long leather padded wooden benches lined a wall across the room.

  A physical therapist to my left strolled beside a guy wearing a black leg brace. Bared teeth, he clutched the slender bars with a death grip as he walked to the other end. I wanted to shout out, good job when he made it to the opposite end without assistance.

  “Good morning, Wyatt.” I caught the sternness in her honeyed voice. She sauntered toward me, wearing black khakis, a red polo shirt, and black sneakers. Her eyes never left the clipboard.

  “Good morning, Lakelyn.” I grabbed hold of the clipboard, forcing her beautiful eyes on mine.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting your attention.” She had my cocks attention, too. Crushing those lips this very moment was at the forefront of my mind. Was I upset she didn’t tell me she was carrying my child? Hell yeah. We only had unprotected sex with each other.

  I knew Lakelyn. My woman. The baby in her belly was mine.

  Her sad face squeezed the fuck out of my heart.