She's All I Need(A Sports Romance)

by Chiquita Dennie

  “Anyway. Kaci and I have the photoshoot and interview ready for you. I need you on your best behavior.”

  “I’m always on my best behavior.”

  “I need your one hundred percent, chipper, sweet behavior that you give the kids.”

  “For an interview, come on now, Sutton. You’re pushing it now.”

  She pointed her pen in my direction.

  “No, you come on. I refuse to have this mess up Mara’s opportunity.” Sutton’s brow raised in question.

  “I thought this was about me.” I leaned up with my hands clasped together.

  “It is, but you need to be open with her and not difficult. This can be good for both of you,” Sutton explained.

  “Does she know to be nice to me?”

  “I’m not going there with you. Check these out and let me know what you think. I can have a stylist brings them over to you,” Sutton said.

  “I thought you worked for me,” I fussed and Sutton sat back in her seat and stared at me.

  I raised my hands in surrender knowing what was going to come out of her mouth.

  “You can act all macho with your little friends, and Margaret, but watch your cockiness with me.”

  “Savion must have not called you,” I joked and she tried to reach over and grab me, and I jumped up fast out of her reach laughing.

  “Fuck you, D,” Sutton said.

  “Why is everybody saying that to me?” I placed my hands on my hips, looking behind me toward Kaci and back at Sutton. A few seconds go by and all three of us laugh.

  “OMG, I swear you get on my nerves,” Sutton said.

  “You know you love me. Come on, bring it to Daddy.” I held my arms out for a hug and walked toward her.

  Her hand went out, stopping me. “Sit your butt down and go through what we have. Kaci, tell him about the charity items,” Sutton said.

  “Sure. Um, I was speaking with Sutton and we came up with five items to have you sign.” Kaci stood and switched over to me, holding out her iPad. I looked down and saw she had a list with the game winning ball signed uniform, pants, shoes, and football card.

  “I’m fine with the ball, shoes, shirt, and card. The pants don’t need to be in a charity for kids.”

  “But it would bring in the most money,” Kaci said.

  “I doubt any of the kids would want my sweaty pants in their face.”

  “It’s fine Kaci we can get a hat signed,” Sutton remarked and Kaci went to sit back down.

  “Anything else I need to know about?”

  “Try to not be in the clubs with multiple women if possible. I’ve gotten photos of you drunk out with your friends.”

  “I can’t promise that, Sutton. We just won the Championship title.”

  “Exactly and the big game is right around the corner,” Sutton blurted out, tapping on her keyboard.

  A few times the press caught wind of me out drunk and now that’s the main headline. Coming into the game after college and making a name for myself was beyond my wildest dreams and did I get a little cocky and reckless? Sometimes, but at thirty-two I’ve slowed down in my view. Mostly the weekends are when I tend to let loose and not every day like Reuben’s ass.

  I slide a hand down my face.

  “I can promise I will be more aware and not end up on any blogs.” I held my hand out to shake on my promise.

  “If you fail. What do I get?”

  “A date with Reuben.”

  “Get out of my office and email Kaci after you approve those outfits, please.” Sutton pushed me away from her desk.

  I cackled, grabbing the pictures off her desk, blowing her a kiss, and leaving.

  “Keep that armed iced up!” Margaret called out.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  I always had a good time whenever I came to pick on Sutton and Margaret at the office, either by aggravating them with my charm, being defiant about going somewhere, or faking like I liked someone who they wanted me to meet.

  I waited for the elevator to ding, and the doors opened. I stepped on to go to Paolo’s office. Before I left the other day, I never finished our conversation since I had to go to the gym. So, I figured I’d drop in now while I was in the building, before I went to see my parents and study some footage.

  I got off on the 10th floor a few minutes later and saw the hustle and bustle of the office, as people roamed around like chickens with their heads cut off. I wondered if it had anything to do with me. I knocked on Paolo’s door. He was sitting in his chair with his phone to his ear. He waved for me to step in. I looked around, not remembering when he had put in the 60-inch TV, black lounge chair, and bar in the corner.

  “What brings you over?” Paolo asked, extending a hand for me to shake.

  “I was with Sutton talking about the interview. When did you get this stuff?” I pointed to the chair, TV, and bar.

  “Called having rich clients,” Paolo said.

  “That fifteen percent is getting cut. Remind me to talk to my accountant.”

  “Nope. Take a seat.” Paolo sat and entwined his hands on the desk.

  “How much do you think this interview will help?” I wanted to be sure I wasn't putting myself out there to make Ben look good and show he finally won and got me out of my comfort zone.

  “Honestly, you could probably do without the interview.”

  “So why am I doing it then!”

  “Because you're all over the place, D. I love you like a brother, but you need to cut the shit.”

  “You act like you're not with us sometimes.”

  “Keyword, sometimes. You let Reuben drag you into stupid shit,” Paolo said, and that reminded me of the time Reuben had us judging a wet t-shirt contest and the prize was a kiss from all three of us.

  “He can be a little reckless.”

  Paolo looked at me straight, deadpan like you’re being an idiot for no reason.

  “I love Reuben, but he needs to slow down before he ends up with three baby mommas and naked in a hotel room,” Paolo replied, turned his computer to me and showed me the latest BTZ gossip blog headline; Reuben with bloodshot red eyes and his shirt off in front of a club.

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  “Good, but the interview could be beneficial. You’re not getting younger, Donovan; you need something that shows you’re more than just a football player. Show the world the stuff you do behind the scenes,” Paolo explained.

  I had done charity work and helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity during my off-season.

  “All right, let me get out of here. I’m supposed to go see my parents and then study up on some footage before the big game.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We shook hands again. I strolled out of his office and back to the valet. I grabbed my keys and went across town to visit my parents before I headed home to work.

  Donovan

  I pushed the key into the lock, hearing laughter from the other side of the door. I opened the door, surprised to see my sister there on a workday afternoon. My dad was sitting in his armchair with his beer, and Mom wasn’t nearby. But surprisingly, another guest was sitting in the place where my mom usually sat when she watched TV.

  “Hey D.” Luna jumped up and ran toward me to give me a hug and kiss. I bear hugged her and kissed her cheek, while staring back at Kamara as she looked down at her cell phone typing. I wanted to know who she was talking to that had her attention away from me.

  “Son, what are you doing here?” Dad said.

  “I was in the neighborhood.” I shut the door and went further in the living room.

  “Who’s at the door?” My mom sauntered in with her usual white apron on and a towel in her hand.

  “Just me, your favorite.” I grinned, picking her up and kissing her on the forehead.

  “Boy hush with the lies,” Mom replied.

  “It’s okay Mom, we can tell Luna now about being adopted.”

  Luna punched me in the arm, and I ran behind Mom to get away.r />
  “You two stop it right now.”

  “He started it though,” Luna whined, trying to run behind the other side of the couch.

  “Lloyd, come and get your son,” Mom said.

  “Leave your sister alone, Donovan.”

  I pinched her on the arm and she smacked my hand, and I rubbed the sting away. I went around the couch and plopped down next to Kamara and stretched my arm on the back of the chair. I cocked my head to the side and licked my lips.

  “You can’t speak?”

  “D. Leave me alone.” She continued typing away on her cell.

  I snatched the phone from her hand and looked through the thread. She gasped and lunged at my arm, trying to get it back. Her shirt rode up, and I saw a small mole on her lower stomach. She caught me staring at her stomach, and she shoved her shirt down. I gripped her waist gently.

  “Donovan, give her phone back and stop being rude!” Mom yelled.

  As Kamara and I locked eyes, I felt like we were the only ones in the room.

  “Can I have my phone, please?” she asked.

  “What do I get out of it?”

  “You get to keep your fingers,” she said snarkily with a smile.

  I raised the phone higher away from her. The room was large enough that no one could see what I was doing as I ran a hand up and down Kamara’s hip.

  “That’s not nice. Aren’t you supposed to be all about love and peace in the world?” I did air quotes with one hand.

  She tried to move out of my hold, but that only made my dick even harder and poke at her stomach. She gasped, tried to wiggle out of my hold and I smirked.

  “Keep moving like that and he’ll wake up,” I whispered in her ear.

  “Give me that.” Luna grabbed the phone out of my hand, and I laughed letting Kamara up out of my hold.

  “Who’s Terry?”

  I saw the name being mentioned between her and Rodney from Cafe Sin and wondered if he was her boyfriend.

  “None of your business,” Mara said, as she tried to avoid eye contact. I glanced at the clock on the wall and back down to Mara and grinned.

  “Kam, ignore my stupid brother. He’s just mad the only girls that want him are the dumb bimbos,” Luna told her and I flipped her off behind my Dad’s back.

  “Daddy, Donovan just flipped me off,” Luna snitched on me, then ran back to the kitchen with my mom.

  My dad was stuck in his own world, with the TV blasting the highlights from my game.

  “I hope your boyfriend doesn’t get jealous.”

  “I don’t-” she started to answer, but stopped, realizing I was trying to dig into her love life.

  “You don’t what?”

  “I need to get going.” Mara pulled herself up off me and I sat up watching as she gathered her things to leave.

  “Luna I’ll see you later,” Mara called out, walked over to my Dad, and kissed him on the cheek.

  “What about me?”

  “What about you?”

  “I don’t get a kiss on the cheek?”

  Dad laughed. I glared at him.

  “I like your dad,” Mara said and everybody started laughing at my expense.

  “Call me later, girl.” Luna walked her out to her car and shut the front door. I jumped up and went into the kitchen to bug my mom.

  “Women,” I mumbled to myself.

  Mom was opening the stove and putting a tray of biscuits in. She started to cut some vegetables.

  I sauntered over and picked up a carrot, then lifted myself onto the counter.

  “If you like her, then I suggest you stop with the other floosies in your life,” Mom said, chopping onions.

  “She’s different from what I’m used to.”

  “You mean a woman with a brain.”

  “She might not fit in my world.”

  “According to who?” Mom swung her gaze toward me. I titled my head. She knew what I was talking about. “Kamara is an intelligent, beautiful, and kind person. I don’t see the problem with that.”

  “I know that, but she’s always trying to fight something because that puts her in the middle of drama and then to top it off media pressure.”

  “When have you ever let media pressure dictate your choices?”

  “I’d rather not have her see the ugliness of that part. I deal with it enough and the judgment and name calling.”

  “Well, it’s up to you how you want to handle things.”

  My family knew I’d had a crush on Kamara since the first time I met her, and they thought she was too good for me. She was smart, beautiful, and knew what she wanted out of life—and it didn’t hurt that her body was out of this world, but she was always modest in the clothes she wore. I wondered if she knew how many men stared at her—even when she just wore tights and a big t-shirt. No matter what, her voluptuous tits and wide hips would be on display. She was toned but curvy, with meat on her bones—thick in all the right places.

  “Are you listening to me?” Mom asked.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I couldn’t tell her I’d gotten distracted thinking about Kamara’s ass and breasts.

  “I said, ‘Focus on the game coming up and let everything else fall into place,’” she said and tossed the vegetables in the pot.

  I hopped down and kissed the top of her head, then walked back out to the living room with my dad. We watched the rest of the game until dinner was ready.

  Once dinner was over, I went out to the bar to meet up with Savion for drinks. Still full of dinner at my folks’ place I was just looking to release some energy and possibly find someone to bring home. Unfortunately, the women in the bar were too thirsty and wasted so I passed and continued ordering shots.

  “What happened with Reuben?”

  Savion gave the waitress his empty beer bottle and she replied with a fresh new one. Bar Cutz was a bar that all the high-profile people came to to get away from the lights and cameras. But it ended up making the place even more famous so we really couldn’t hide out anymore. A few girls danced together on the floor.

  “He got held up with somebody. He was all secretive and shit,” Savion mentioned and that sounded like Reuben’s ass.

  “Hopefully, he doesn’t have another pregnancy scare.”

  “Yeah, I keep telling him these women are only using him.”

  “I saw Sutton today.” I watched his eyes move from the women dancing on the floor back to me.

  “How is she?”

  “Fine I guess.”

  “She doesn’t take me seriously.”

  “Can you blame her?” I asked.

  He gave me a hard grimace.

  “You're the last person to talk about anyone’s reputation.”

  “Yo, never said I was perfect, bro. Sutton is different.”

  “I know Sutton’s more than a piece of meat. I know I joke around with Reuben and you, but I care about her.”

  “I think she likes you, but she says the lifestyle of a pro athlete and the female fans don’t make it easy.”

  “Enough about me, what’s up with you.”

  “I have to do this interview with Kamara.”

  “Luna’s friend Kamara?”

  I glance over my shoulder hearing the commotion of two guys fighting over some woman.

  “Yep.”

  “I thought she wrote stuff about saving the ocean or something.”

  I chortled at his statement.

  “She does. Well, it's mostly like keeping the city updated on what’s happening. I guess Sutton asked her to do this for her.”

  “Kamara’s cool.”

  “Yeah.” I motioned for the waitress to bring me another beer.

  “You like her don’t you?” He plastered a big smile on his face.

  “What! No she’s Luna’s friend.”

  He smirked, as the waitress came back to the table with fresh beers and shots for us. I pulled a fifty dollar bill out of my pocket and put it in the pocket of her shorts. She wore a crop top and shorts.<
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  “Keep it real, D. You have the same problems as me with Sutton.”

  “You’re tripping.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  I was no longer interested in this conversation. I wanted to get up and leave for the night. Hearing Kamara’s name on another guy’s lips—even if he was a friend of mine—caused a tightness in my chest.

  “I have to get out of here. We have footage to look over, and practice tomorrow, plus I need to get ready for the interview.” I rose out of the booth and felt a pair of hands around my waist. I looked down at the tiny hands, then over my shoulder in shock.

  “Miss me?” Tabitha tried to kiss me on the lips, and I turned my head and removed her hands from around my waist.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You don’t look happy to see me, big fella.” She ran her index finger down my chest to the top of my belt buckle.

  I stepped out of her hold.

  “Tabitha, let's not act like this was more than a hookup.”

  She rolled her eyes, and she stepped further into my personal space.

  “You remember how I used to make you feel?” she questioned.

  I was trying to not be a jerk and spill all her business in front of everyone. But she was pushing me in that direction. I scratched the back of my neck and sighed in annoyance. Tabitha wanted more from our hookups, but she didn’t think to try and get to know me beyond football and all of our conversations were mostly about her and what she wanted to do in life.

  “I need to get going.”

  “I’ll see you around, baby.” Tabitha winked and swished her hips trying to get my attention. She was sexy, I’ll give her that much, but personality wise it was a dumpster fire.

  “Tabby is back.” Savion shook his head. I shrugged, not caring if she was. I’d never step backwards and hook up with her again. I know a few times she set me up to be in the blogs and get ambushed when we went out to dinner a few times. She’s all about herself.

  “All right. I’m out for the night, man.” We slapped hands and I headed out through the back exit and slid in my car and leaned my head on the back rest closing for my eyes for a second. If Tabitha Griffin was snooping around me again I’d need to let Sutton know to be prepared. She’d probably have us in the papers tomorrow getting married and having a baby.