She's All I Need(A Sports Romance)

by Chiquita Dennie

  “What about your parents and sister?”

  “They’ll be there too.”

  “Are you sure? You probably have friends that want to get a front row seat.”

  “I’m positive and invite your parents too.”

  “Okay.”

  “Good.”

  “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about something,” she said.

  “What is it?”

  “I didn’t go into too much detail, but the Ben Simmons guy tried calling me about the interview.”

  I moved back and sat up against the headboard.

  “What did he say?”

  “I guess the reporter guy that passed me his card that one time I was talking with Terry told him to contact me, but I was avoiding his calls.”

  “Shit.” I ran a hand across my face.

  “Should I be worried?”

  “Ben’s all about ratings, and if he can fuck my life over, then he will. By any means.”

  “Why not do an interview with him?”

  “Because he wants to show off like he’s some hotshot reporter, but mostly deals with gossip and lies.”

  “Is that what happened with Julian?”

  “Julian’s the one that dealt with drugs in college and I found him passed out one night from an overdose and called for help. He tried to play it off and he almost lost his scholarship, but I put in a good word for him.”

  “But he still holds a grudge?”

  “Possibly has something to do with the women always wanting me over him.” I shrugged and she rolled her eyes and tried to get out of bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Away from you. I need to shower and head home.”

  “I want you to stay here for the night. It’s late anyway.”

  She yawned. I rubbed her thigh, leading up to her breast.

  “Going to sleep, Donovan, you should too.”

  “One round and I’ll go to sleep.”

  “I have work in the morning, your one round turns into all night.”

  “I promise, baby. Mmm-hmm... one more round.” I pecked her lips and pushed her back onto the bed. She opened her legs, and I eased back inside her core.

  The time Kamara and I had spent together was more than fulfilling and satisfying—and that was beyond just the sex. She was everything I’d hoped for and needed in my life, and one day, I hoped to see little Kamaras running around.

  At the moment, though, sitting inside Sutton’s office, I felt like pulling my hair out and like I might end up in jail because of the way Kaci was throwing herself at me. Sutton was running late from a meeting, and she’d arranged for me to come in to go over some commercial opportunities that she’d lined up. Kaci had other plans, and I wasn’t in the best mood after what Kamara told me about a photographer approaching her to do an exclusive shoot.

  “Come on Donovan, no one has to know.”

  Kaci rubbed her hand across my chest.

  “How much longer is Sutton going to be?” I asked.

  Kaci shrugged and unbuttoned the top of her jacket and I scratched the back of my neck and released a harsh breath.

  “Kaci we’ve been through this. I have a girlfriend.”

  “Nothing wrong with having someone on the side for when you get bored with her.” Kaci ran a hand down toward my dick and squeezed.

  I pushed her away.

  “What the fuck, Kaci?”

  “You know most guys would be flattered,” Kaci shouted.

  “What is going on in here?” Margaret rushed into the office.

  We both turned around.

  “Nothing Margaret. I was just helping Donovan figure out something on his schedule,” Kaci mentioned and I narrowed my brows.

  “You mean Mr. Hunt,” Margaret said.

  “Huh?” Kaci replied.

  “Call him Mr. Hunt, not Donovan,” Margaret responded.

  “That’s what I meant,” Kaci said.

  “I’m sure it was but please keep this door open at all times. I know Sutton wouldn’t want anything inappropriate happening in her office,” Margaret commented.

  I mouthed, thank you for saving me. Kaci’s underhanded flirtations were getting out of hand, and I hated to bring it to Sutton’s attention because often, I could handle it on my own. But now that I was with Kamara, I didn’t want anything getting back to her that would put me in a bad light.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late.” Sutton waltzed inside and I continued to stand in front of her desk.

  “Take a seat D, we have a few things to cover,” Sutton explained and I shook my head.

  “I’m fine with standing.”

  “Okay, is everything all right.” Sutton looked between me, Kaci, and Margaret.

  I glanced at Kaci to see if she would tell the truth.

  “What’s going on?” Sutton said.

  “You want to tell her?” I asked.

  “I... I have some calls to make,” Kaci said and walked out of Sutton’s office.

  “What was that about?” Sutton asked me.

  “Nothing. Can you tell me what the big news is that made you want me to stop practicing and come here first?”

  She sat at her desk and clasped her hands.

  “Paolo got you an endorsement with Millennium sports gear.”

  “Yeah so.”

  “Well, they want me to handle the publicity roll out and Paolo asked me to handle the commercial concept with social media.” Sutton cheered and clapped her hands.

  “Good job, I guess,” I said.

  “Donovan, you're such an asshole.” Sutton laughed at me.

  “You know I am happy for you Sutton, but you could have called me about this.”

  “Maybe, but I saw the latest Tabitha and Julian posts and wanted to get your thoughts.” Sutton held up her phone and showed me the social media accounts.

  @QueenTabitha: Donovan’s lying in my bed. He’s not claiming that bitch Kamara.

  @JulianA: Once we win, you’ll see the real MVP in this game.

  “More of this posted, so I wanted to know how you want me to handle this,” Sutton asked.

  “Put out a statement that it’s lies on both statements,” I responded.

  “What does Kamara think of everything?”

  “We haven't really talked that long about it, honestly.”

  “Please don’t have my friend out here looking stupid, Donovan,” Sutton told me.

  “That’s not me, Sutton. Have I played around in the past? Yes. But Kamara is different.”

  “Then you need to put something out to put a stop to the lies.”

  “I trust you to handle it for me,” I said and kissed the side of her cheek and stepped out of her office and saw Margaret sitting back at her desk.

  “Go ahead, say it.”

  “You don’t need my opinion in your head,” Margaret said.

  “I don’t, but I respect your opinion.”

  “Well, you're young and want to think things will just disappear, but you're in the big leagues and you know better than anyone. If they can twist the truth to fit what they need, they will,” Margaret explained and I nodded.

  “You’re right.”

  “I like Kamara for you. So, treat her right and make sure you win the game and show Julian who’s the real MVP.”

  “Are you coming with Sutton?” I questioned.

  “No, we need someone at the office to stay on top of things, but I can watch from her office,” Margaret said.

  I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, and she smiled.

  “Until next time, Margaret.”

  “Until next time, Donovan.”

  Afternoon traffic was insane on the road to the stadium in Inglewood. I didn’t want the coach to start yelling at me about being late, so I told Savion to tell him that I was picking up my mother from the doctor. I knew it was a lame excuse, but anything to keep the coach off my ass.

  I jogged into the stadium and saw Julian standing at the entrance and talking to some guy.
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br />   “Well look what the cat dragged in,” Julian said.

  “I see you’re buying what you need to get your performance up,” I joked.

  “Actually, he’s a reporter asking questions of how we're going to kick your ass in the game.”

  “Mr. Hunt, is there any truth to Kamara Powell trying to investigate the City Council’s voting block being held up?” he asked.

  I remembered Kamara saying something about her job but didn’t remember all the details.

  “No comment.”

  “She’s on the record saying that representatives are pushing local businesses out by building a mall and raising taxes,” he informed me.

  “Kamara the girl you’ve been seen around town with right? She’s sexy, I wonder how she’d feel around my dick,” Julian joked and the reporter laughed. I punched him in the face, not even thinking of the consequences.

  “Leave my girl’s name out of your mouth.”

  “You're just pissed I’ve had Tabitha, and I’ll have Kamara real soon,” Julian taunted.

  I went to punch him again, but the security guard pushed me back.

  “Mr. Hunt, is this what you do? Go around punching people in your girlfriend’s honor? I mean, your name is spread around the tabloids as dating Tabitha, and some other woman—I think she’s named Kaci,” he said.

  I jerked back in shock.

  “What did you say?” I was in disbelief.

  “I have a source that said you’re dating a woman name Kaci,” he said.

  “Who’s your source?” I asked.

  “I can’t give that away,” the reporter said.

  “Yeah, because it’s a bogus story, from a bogus source. Get the fuck out of here.” I pushed him away and marched into the stadium and went to work out and prepare for the game and get my mind off the bullshit of people trying to piss me off.

  An hour later, I was circling the gym and drinking water, trying to relax my mind, when Reuben approached me with my phone.

  “Bro, your phone is blowing up.” Reuben handed it off to me.

  Kamara: Did you see this?

  She linked me to an article called “Love in Sports”, and I skimmed it: “I don’t talk about my private life, and what Donovan and I have is personal,” Kaci was quoted as saying.

  Me: You can’t believe that shit.

  Kamara: Why is she talking like you have something going on?

  Me: I turned her down, and she’s pissed. That’s all.

  Kamara: Donovan, you need to get a handle on all this mess.

  Me: I can’t control the media, Mara.

  Kamara: You should be able to control who you sleep with.

  Instead of continuing the back-and-forth text thing I decided to call her.

  “Why are you letting this bullshit get in your head?” I questioned.

  “I’m just tired of the nonstop emails, calls, and notifications from women, blasting how good you are in bed and asking what you see in me.”

  “Baby fuck them. You’re who I go home too and wake up next to. That’s all that matters.”

  “Just get this handled please.”

  “I’ll try. But the story with the City is that straightened out?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I got confronted by a reporter about the story.”

  “So, they're going to you to force me to stop doing my work now,” Mara yelled.

  “Calm down, Mara. It’s not like that.”

  “You can say that. But I’m still building my career.” She sighed and released a breath.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I need to get back to work,” she said and hung up before I could reply.

  I grunted and tossed the phone on the ground in frustration, then went back to working out.

  Donovan

  Sunday was approaching fast. The crowd surrounded us as the sun went down. This was my second time making it to the big game after seven years in the league. We’d come close with winning division championships but getting to this level after so many years was a blessing. I didn’t know if I had anything left in me as a quarterback, but the outpouring of support from fans showed they still believed in our team.

  The coin toss went up, and the kickoff started, with Julian’s team bringing it down the field. I looked up at the stadium, watching as my family and Mara clapped their hands when we intercepted the ball and had a chance to score our first touchdown.

  “Let’s Go Hawks!” Savion shouted, pumping everyone up.

  “Donovan, it’s up to you. Hold the line, focus on the end zone,” Captain explained, pointing at the clipboard of one of his plays we’ve run through at practice.

  “1, 2, 3, Hawks!” we all screamed and got back on the field.

  I held the ball in my hands, gripping it firmly, feeling the lining and the rubber logo. I positioned myself behind Reuben, glanced both ways, closed my eyes, and breathed.

  “Hut 1! Hut 2! Pop left!” I shouted, running the play as everyone scattered. I checked who was open but before I could get the ball out of my hands, I was hit from the side and went down on the field.

  “Fuck!” I dropped the ball.

  “Boo! Boo!” The crowd got antsy. The referees came on the field.

  “Come on. You got this,” Savion said, slapping hands with me.

  I glanced over at Kamara in the stands. She smiled and waved as I moved back into position to run the play again. Since the phone call at the gym that day, we’d been spending time together off and on. Her focus had been on the shit that was going down with Rodney and Abigail’s store, and I’d been slammed with practice and preparing for today.

  The halftime show started, while we sat in the locker room, trying to figure out where we went wrong. The coach basically rammed it down my throat that I was distracted and not focused. Then Savion got hurt and was getting his ankle looked at. I took a gulp of water and poured some over my head to cool off.

  “We need to get back on track. This is not the team I know,” Coach said.

  “Coach, we know the reason we're losing,” Walter, the offensive running back, said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Reuben spat, standing up.

  “Your boy can’t handle the pressure,” Walter shouted and jumped up.

  “Say it to my face,” I argued and got up to defend myself.

  “Hey! That’s enough!” Coach shouted, pushing Walter to sit back down.

  “Coach we all see it. He’s getting the big bucks, but he’s a joke,” Walter responded and I dropped my water bottle and charged toward him, but Reuben and few other teammates got in between us before I could punch him.

  “Wait til the game is over,” I challenged.

  “Come at me now! Think you’re all that.” Walter’s nostrils flared as he pushed Reuben’s hand off of his shoulder.

  “Shut this down now! Get this aggression out on the field,” Coach demanded, and we all stopped.

  “We’re down by ten points. We need to play as a team.” Savion came back in the room on crutches.

  “Tell that to your boy,” Walter sarcastically commented. He was standing against the locker door with his arms crossed.

  “Walter, one more comment and you're out,” Coach said and ran a hand down his face.

  “Five minutes!” the security said, before we had to get back out on the field for the second half. A variety of singers put on a halftime show from rock, pop, and R&B. No matter what happens I know this will be talked about for a while, how I dropped the ball and led us into the big game without a clear plan of execution.

  A few seconds later, we piled back onto the field, and everything went in slow motion as our rivals stopped every ball I threw. A few times, I got tackled. The score was 20 to 21, with New York in the lead. We were going for an onside kick to recover the ball and try for a field goal to take the win. The whistle blew, and I watched as New York recovered the onside kick, taking possession of the ball and running time off the clock, winnin
g the game. After months of work and grinding, we all watched as it flew over our heads, and the entire field was covered in their fans and friends. I dropped my head in frustration and walked off, not wanting to talk to any reporters, but luck was not on my side for the second time that night.

  “Donovan! Donovan! How do you feel about your performance?” Ben Simmons said.

  “No comment.” I tried to walk around to the locker room.

  “Do you think you could have been distracted by your love life?” Ben shoved the microphone in my face. I jerked back at his question. Having my personal life on national TV was rude and caused me to blow up. Lately I’ve seen a few posts talking about me and Kamara’s relationship.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said, ‘your little girlfriend’. Is she a distraction? Or maybe you and Tabitha are back together? Which one is it?” Simmons smirked.

  I didn’t know what came over me because the next thing I knew, I was sitting in the locker room with Coach, who was yelling at me for punching Ben in the nose. I opened and closed my hand, feeling the throbbing pain from hitting him as the team doctor put an ice pack on my hand.

  “What were you thinking?” Coach asked.

  I blew out a breath, trying to figure out how to explain what I did.

  “Coach you don’t understand.”

  “You’re right. I don’t.”

  “He was talking shit about my girl.”

  “What are you three years old!” he shouted as he threw my helmet across the room.

  “Whatever.”

  “Son, I’m going to pretend you didn’t just disrespect me like that. I understand that your head’s all screwed-up after losing the game. Take some time to get your head straight,” Coach preached.

  I nodded, went to my locker, and grabbed my things to leave. Savion and Reuben came to pick up their gym bags and followed me as security escorted us through the hall. I wasn’t in the mood to play nice and give fake interviews and say we played our best, or any of that type of shit. That would only give Julian more ammunition to gloat and cause me even bigger problems.

  The door opened at the front entrance of the private section for players, and I saw my family and Kamara’s parents next to her. The expression on her face was concerned, and I didn’t really feel up to being bothered with anyone.