Sidelined

by Marquita Valentine

“It’s their way of being politely catty. Sometimes, though, it can actually be meant in a nice way.” I try to remember all the ways my first serious girlfriend, Finley, described it to me. “Basically, it’s an art the women down here have mastered.”

  “Who knew?” She gets up from the table and fills two cups of coffee, adding sugar and milk to hers. “Anyway, before I so rudely interrupted, you were saying?”

  “Long story short. She moved in with her brother, decided she was done crying over her ex, and decided I’m the right man to help her move on with her life. I told her I wanted more.”

  Ma sits down again, handing a mug to me. I know she’ll get up at least four more times while we talk because she was never on to be off her feet long. I’m usually just like her, but I’m too fucking sore to be jumping up and down like a jack-in-the-box.

  “Yet, she spent the night.”

  “Thought I was too hasty and was selling myself short.”

  “And now?”

  “Now, she’s freaking out, and it’s up to me to convince her to go long.”

  “Is she worth it?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I never thought you and Finley would work out. Too much alike. Both clawing your way to the top. She always reminded me of me, ya know, and that’s not the kind of girl—well, that’s not what’s in your chair in there.”

  I go to my ma. I fucking hate how low her self-esteem can be. “You’re my girl. My always and forever, the first one. No one can take that from you.”

  She smiles. “I know that. It’s just... I can see why a girl like Layton would appeal to you. She’s soft and sweet. Life hasn’t done a number on her yet. She’s still got stars in her eyes.”

  “I don’t know... Pretty sure I saw some stars in your eyes when you and Dom were mooning over each other.” Most guys probably wouldn’t talk with their mothers like this, but my ma and I grew up together. She’s only sixteen years older than me, and when she had no one, she had me. I was her child and her confidant.

  “Ya think so?”

  I nod. “He’s the one.”

  She blushes, full on, and the sight of it makes me happy for her. “Yeah, he is.”

  Layton stumbles into the kitchen. “What was in that drink? I feel like I’ve been rode hard and put up wet.”

  “And you look like it, too... bless your heart.” My ma winks at me.

  I drop my head into my hands, groaning. “That’s not what you should say right now.”

  “What? I was being encouraging.”

  Layton moves to my ma, looking contrite and embarrassed. “I’m so sorry for carrying on like I did. I’m not usually—I’m sorry, and there’s simply no excuse for my behavior.”

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Ma jumps up from the table and hugs her, mouthing ‘so fucking cute’ over Layton’s shoulder. “You have nothing to apologize for. Sure, your eternal soul will be in purgatory until you make your confession, but that’s nothing Father Sheehan can’t fix.”

  “I’m Baptist.”

  “Fine, he can sprinkle holy water on ya, and you can do a couple of rosaries.”

  Layton turns to me, panic in her eyes because we both know she doesn’t own a rosary.

  “Leave her alone, Ma.” Taking pity on Layton, I pry her away from Ma and sit her at the table. “Would mind fixing Layton breakfast?”

  Layton shoots out of her seat. “Oh, no. I couldn’t possibly put you out like that.”

  My ma gives her the look.

  “Yes, ma’am. I look forward to your cooking. I don’t like cheese in my eggs, thank you.” Layton drops into her chair.

  “She likes to cook.”

  “Like Kingston likes to cook?” she asks, her voice low.

  “Exactly.”

  “Stay out of her way. Got it.”

  “Thanks for staying.” Reaching under the table, I grab her hand. “I knew you weren’t a coward.”

  She rubs the diamond clasp of her necklace. “At least one of us did.”

  Yeah, this isn’t going to be easy, but I never liked easy, anyway.

  Chapter 23

  Aiden

  IT’S BEEN TWO WEEKS since Layton and I first had sex, and I’m slowly getting her to see things my way.

  Like right now, I got her in my tub, soaking with me while I get her off.

  “You’re almost there, aren’t you?” I bite down on her earlobe. She likes her pleasure with a side of pain, just a little though, because she so fucking sensitive.

  She claws at my thigh. “Yes. Oh, God.”

  I rub her clit between my fingers. She writhes in my arms, her nails now in my arms, digging in. I watch her in the mirror, her mouth open and her eyes shut.

  “Fucking beautiful.”

  I caress her everywhere I can reach with my free hand, until she’s totally relaxed against me.

  “How was that?”

  “No words.”

  We sit there in comfortable silence. I add more hot water and bubbles to make her smile. She scoops up some of the bubbles and blows them out of her hand.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Have at it.”

  “Why did you think sex during the football season was bad luck?”

  Our eyes meet in the mirror. “You sure you wanna know?”

  She nods.

  “I’ve never been a monk about sex, but I’ve always been careful. Didn’t want to end up a teenage dad or with kids I couldn’t afford. Plus, I had dreams. I had to get out of Dorchester. I had a talent for football that couldn’t be ignored. But I had to work hard at it. Had to get a side hustle to pay for all the food I ate because I trained so much. Food stamps don’t pay for shit.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know.” She lowers her gaze.

  “I’m glad you didn’t know.” I push her chin up with my fingers. “Don’t be ashamed of where you come from—poor, rich, or middle class. Doesn’t matter to me.”

  She takes my hand in hers, turning it so the palm faces her, and kisses the center. “Doesn’t matter to me, either.”

  She’s killing me. Can’t she see she’s in love, or at least falling? You can’t fake that shit.

  I push away my thoughts. “Before... I, ah, treated sex like a four-course meal, something to be savored, enjoyed, and fucking expensive to buy when you got no money for jim—condoms. Other times, it was more like a fast food place. Get in. Get happy. Get out.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about your food analogies,” she mutters.

  “Just go with it.”

  “Okay.” She bends her head, her long neck curving. I kiss her there, enjoying the way she shivers with pleasure.

  “Anyway, when I was playing for the Pats and having a shit season, your brother came to visit. While we were partying, he got concerned that I was getting more fast food than four-course meals because my game was off. So he had a talk with me. Made me see where I was going wrong and suggested fasting—although I don’t think he meant for an entire season at a time. Unfortunately, it wasn’t soon enough, and I got traded to the Renegades.”

  “Did you my brother rep you then?”

  “No, I fired the guy who did and hired Kingston. I was his first client. Had no fucking clue he worked with Finely.” I laugh. That had been a shocker.

  She tenses.

  “What’s wrong, LT?”

  “You and Finley have a lot of history together. I remember when you dated, and she was in love with you.”

  “Yeah, and I was there when you got engaged. I call that even.” I shift her so her ass isn’t directly on my dick. “Now you have to answer a question.”

  “But you know all about me.”

  “Ask a question, answer a question. That’s the name of the game we’re playing.”

  “Fine.” She leans back again, her head coming to rest on the right side of my chest. Her tits are playing peek-a-boo with the bubbles as they float. “Ask away.”

  “Who did you piss off when you were born?”

  “Excuse me?
”

  “Layton Tallulah Price.”

  “Layton’s my momma’s maiden name.”

  “Not that, the mouthful.”

  “Oh, that.” Her cheeks pinken. “Actually, I’m named just like my brothers.”

  “I don’t see the connection.”

  “Kingston was conceived on my parents’ honeymoon in Jamaica. I was on a camping trip to Tallulah Falls, and Boone was a surprise from their anniversary trip to the mountains.”

  My mouth drops open. I don’t quite believe her. “You’re telling me that if you’d been conceived in BumFuck, USA, they would have named you BumFuck?”

  “Oh please, you already think you’re in BF, USA.”

  I turn her around in my lap. “Say I knock you up here, you gonna call our kid Raleigh or Bathtub? Or Bubbles if we want her to grow up to be a stripper?”

  “I didn’t say it was my tradition.” She wriggles around, making my cock swell. “I always thought it was romantic and original.”

  “I’ll show you romantic and original.” Then I make her stand up so I can eat her pussy before putting her on my cock, but she manages to get on her knees and takes me in her mouth, using her wicked tongue to make my eyes water. I last exactly five-point-three seconds before I try to pull away, but she grabs my hips and takes me to the back of her throat.

  I shout her name when I come.

  Finally, I sit down so my legs don’t give out on me, and grab her. “What the fuck was that?”

  “Me being original and romantic for you.”

  I throw me head back and laugh. “I fucking love you, LT.”

  Layton’s eyes round. “I... uh... the water’s getting cold.” She grabs a towel and wraps it around herself. “And did I tell you that Paige and I have plans tonight? I totally forgot.”

  “Really?”

  She nods emphatically, like it has the power to convince me she’s not running from me.

  “Have fun.”

  “Thanks.” She starts for me, then shakes her head. “See you later, Aiden.”

  Like the fucking coward I accused her of being, I let her go.

  Chapter 24

  Layton

  IT’S PAST CLOSING TIME, and I’m the last one at the office.

  The library is quiet except for the hum of the vacuum as the janitor cleans.

  My last appointment, Mrs. Vincent, is due to call at any minute. Since she’s such a huge client and refuses to use my cell, I have to wait until she gets back from the club to talk with her about the annual Spring Fling Fashion Parade.

  Not only does it benefit the surrounding community, but all the models in it are special needs children who normally wouldn’t get to model. Mrs. Vincent does this because her only child was Downs, and she wants as many children as possible to have the opportunity to look their best.

  Aiden knocks on my office door. “Came to see if you needed a ride home.”

  A little unsure of where we stand since he said he loved me last night and I lied about plans with Paige, I nibble on the tip of my finger. Then realize how stupid I probably look, and rub my diamond clasp instead. “I drove.”

  “I can still drive you, if you want.” He holds out his arms to me. “C’mere.”

  I leap up from my desk and all but run to him, hugging his neck as soon as I get close enough. “It’s been one of those days.”

  What I don’t mention is that I got an email today letting me know Joe moved up the stupid proceeding to late tomorrow morning. He doesn’t want to wait any longer. Since the house has sold, there’s no reason for me to wait any longer as well.

  As stupid as it sounds, I’m dreading it. I’m dreading having to say I’m divorced. I never realized how much power a word could have over me. How easily it makes me feel like a failure.

  “I bet I can make you feel better.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  He shuts the door behind him and locks it, turning the blinds so no one can see inside. My heart speeds up.

  “What are you doing?” I back away as he stalks me across the room.

  “Giving you what you need.” He wriggles his dark brows at me. “Take off your panties and show me how wet you are.”

  Hands shaking from excitement, I sit in my chair and pull up my skirt, then slowly do as he says. Once I kick my panties at him, I spread myself and wait for his approval.

  “That’s fucking gorgeous, LT.” He gets down on his knees for me. “You know I’ve always wanted to fuck you in here.”

  “You have?”

  He nods, then proceeds to lick me. “Oh yeah. Huge fantasy of mine.”

  “I thought guys only had that fantasy about their offices?”

  “Not the ones who are comfortable with their ego.” He sucks on my clit, and I whisper-shout his name. He adds his fingers, pushing them deep. “Show me your tits, sweetheart. I’ve been dreaming about them.”

  I try to smile seductively as I unbutton my shirt, but it takes too much effort. I shove the cups of my bra down, and put myself on display for him.

  “So fucking fine.” He stands, pulls me out of my chair, and spins me around. “Hands on the desk. Ass in the air... and remember, it’s not my birthday yet.”

  Like always, he manages to put me at ease while twisting me up so tight I don’t know how to do anything but what he says.

  I hear foil tearing and bump against him, feeling his hand as it rolls the condom over his erection. My pussy clenches in excitement.

  The phone rings.

  “Answer it.” He lines himself up and slides in, again and again, while the phone rings and I try to keep from screaming.

  “Answer the phone, LT.”

  I grab at it, answering at what has to be the last second.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. Price. This is Gloria Vincent.”

  “So nnnice of you to call.” Oh, my Lord.

  “Thank you for staying after hours. Like I was sharing with you the other day, I...”

  Closing my eyes, I try to concentrate on what Mrs. Vincent is saying and not the delicious friction created by Aiden’s insistent thrusts.

  His big hands come around my front, cupping my breasts and playing with my nipples.

  I cradle the phone against the desk, panting heavily. “You’re making this hard.”

  “Pretty sure I’ve been hard since you took off your panties and showed me your pussy.”

  “Are you there, Ms. Price?”

  I all but moan as his thrusts go deeper. “Almost...”

  Aiden chuckles. “Yeah, you are.”

  “You sound in distress. Shall I hang up and call 9-1-1?”

  I snap out of my lust-induced haze to glare at him over my shoulder, but he smacks my tail and pinches a nipple in response, and I forget what I’m so irritated about.

  “Tell her it’s a bad connection,” he orders.

  “It’s a bad connection.”

  “Oh. How about tomorrow, same time?”

  “Say yes.”

  Aiden’s fingers find my clit. “Yes. Perfect.”

  “Hang up the phone, LT,” he orders, his voice deep and commanding.

  “Bye now.” I slam the receiver down and push up on the desk, meeting Aiden thrust for thrust.

  He runs his hand down the middle of my back, then grips my hip, slamming into me so hard that my desk moves. It’s on a thick rug and shouldn’t be moved so easily... but Aiden’s not being easy with me.

  “I’m going to come all over your ass.” He leans over me, biting the side of my neck. “You need to come now, or I’ll pull out on the count of five.”

  “No.” I rub my clit frantically and stop moving against him so he has all the power.

  “Five.”

  Thrust.

  “Four.”

  Thrust.

  I explode, muffling my scream with my arm.

  He pulls out. Scant seconds later, warm liquid splashes on me.

  “I shouldn’t let you clean up for being so fucking hardheaded.
” He grabs tissues from the box on my desk, and then wipes me down. “Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.”

  I right my skirt, and turn around to tuck my panties into his pocket. His eyes flare hot. “Next time, huh? You are sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  He pulls me to him, capturing my lips in a kiss so hot that my toes curl inside my shoes. “Hope your day gets better,” he tells me when I break our kiss.

  “It already has.” I can do this. I can have a relationship with Aiden and be all adult about it. There’s no reason to confess my love, or—my eyes widen.

  I am not in love with him.

  I can’t be.

  Yes, he makes me feel wonderful.

  Yes, I adore everything about him—from his grumpy nature to his giving ways.

  Yes, he makes me feel like I have nothing to fear.

  Yes, he’s my rock, but...

  Feeling suddenly crowded by him, I push at his chest. “You have to go now, or I won’t get anything done.”

  He gives me a look. “I didn’t come here to put pressure on you.”

  I snap. “Then why did you come here?”

  “To fuck with you.” He rolls his eyes. “Kingston said Joe sped up the divorce proceedings, and I was worried.”

  With a glare, I cross my arms over my chest. “Worried I might change my mind?”

  “No, I was worried you’d start thinking about your past,” he says patiently. “And start acting like this.”

  “I’m not acting like anything.” The words pour from my mouth before I can dam them up. “I want to be left alone.”

  “No fucking problem. You don’t wanna see me, consider me gone.” He moves to the door. My soul screams at me to grab him, to tell him I do need him. But my stubborn head isn’t listening. “But when you’re ready to be an adult, I’m here. Until then... I’m done with your bullshit.”

  “I didn’t ask you to put up with anything. All I wanted was a good time with someone I trusted. That’s it,” I insist, trying to protect myself and make him see the truth.

  He rounds on me, putting his finger in my face before he steps back. “You sure as hell didn’t complain when we were fucking. You might not have gotten happily ever after, but you got a happy ending, princess.”

  “I didn’t ask you to give me a happily ever after. Furthermore, I’m not your princess and you’re the last person on earth I’d call a prince. You’re not even in my fairy tale.” I clamp my hand over my mouth in horror, then grab his wrist. “I’m so sorry, Aiden. I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t... you... I... I’m sorry.”