“Don’t say that, you were amazing before me.”
“I’m not twenty-four anymore. I swear, I spend more time recovering from the game than playing it. I don’t know how many more years I have left.”
“Average is five years, you’ve more than doubled that.”
“Average huh, that’s what you think of me?”
“If you’re wallowing in self pity, sure, whatever you say.”
“I’m not wallowing, more wading?”
“Matthias, you have as many as you want. Your body will do what your mind tells it to.”
“Why couldn’t you sleep?”
“I’m excited too…but I think it was spending forty-five minutes rubbing you.”
“Why would that make you toss and turn?” Matthias smiled devilishly.
Sylvia tucked away her pharmacy bag and stepped into Matthias’ arms.
“I don’t know. Would you be able to sleep if you massaged me for almost an hour?”
Matthias held tight to her hips and lifted her to the counter so they were at eye level.
“After the finals, I’ll find out. I really do owe you a day of massages.”
“At least.” Sylvia wrapped her arms around Matthias’ neck and found his lips as wanton as hers.
Using his neck to brace herself, Sylvia lifted her hips and he pulled down her soft shorts and panties. The countertop was cold on her butt when she finally set herself down and locked her legs around his hips.
With a firm grip on his hips Matthias was able to move the two of them to the island and lay Sylvia back. He placed a hand towel under her head as his body hovered over hers. Stroking back her hair, he lightly pecked her moistened lips and nibbled his way down her cheek and neck, finding her collarbone with a quick nip.
Closing her eyes, Sylvia used her other senses to enjoy Matthias removing her shirt and bra. His fingers brushed and teased her overly sensitive nipples that perked at his touch. Backing off, she felt his torso slide between her thighs as he brought her knees to his shoulders.
The heat in her core almost overwhelmed her as she arched her hips in anticipation of his tongue devouring her body. With soft licks and kisses to begin, he teased her to the point of near explosion. By the time he took her with his mouth, she came instantly, to which he continued to suck and explore her with the thick muscle of his tongue.
I love you. The words traveled through her whole body with every luscious stroke. His long fingers were massaging her breasts, rolling and teasing her nipples making her twitch.
Her moans echoed off every wall in the open apartment. Curling up her body he scooped her off the cold counter that now stuck to her warmed flesh as he wandered back to their bedroom. She was lost burying her head in his neck as he continued to suckle, purpling the skin. She held tight to the moment because the way he held her, she could feel his love. Maybe she was still in her Matthias fantasies, but this one she needed because she was going to find out soon enough if somehow she’d gotten pregnant. She needed to remember when it was just them.
Retrieving a condom from the nightstand, Matthias sheathed himself and entered her already aching core. The spasms from her first few orgasms hadn’t subsided and made her hold tight to his shaft the second it touched the sensitive nerves.
“Something tells me you enjoyed the kitchen,” he growled in her ear as she clawed his back.
“More than you know.”
“Silly Girl, how about we just stay in here forever?”
“You think we could?”
“I’m Matthias Jessup, I can do whatever the hell I want to.”
“Well how ‘bout fucking me to sleep?”
“You know all my favorite activities.”
Chapter Thirteen
Sylvia woke and understood the cold feeling. Matthias had left for the gym and she was searching like he had last night for the warm body she’d been used to for comfort. It was time to bite the bullet. Trudging down the hallway, she found her stashed bag and made her way back to the bathroom.
It didn’t take three minutes for the plus sign to show up on both tests in the box. Sylvia leaned back on the seat and smiled. He had never said he loved her out loud, but with every touch and moment together he proved it. This baby had been conceived in love and although the thought of another child scared her to death, she knew Matthias would love him or her too. Sharee and he had a different relationship. Sylvia was confident he’d be happy. She just wouldn’t tell him until after the game.
With one hand on her stomach and the other holding a little white stick, she left the bathroom in a daze. This was better than any of her fantasies, to have a part of Matthias inside her, growing. She’d have to make an appointment soon.
“If that ain’t the last straw,” Simone snapped at Sylvia who had wandered into the living room. “And we wonder why Farakkhan calls you the blue-eyed, white devils. The lengths you’ll go to, to take down a black man.”
“What?” Sylvia tucked the test behind her back.
“Um, I already saw it. Well I guess you finally got what you wanted. Eighteen years of paychecks and Matthias entangled in a huge battle.”
“Why would he be battling me?”
“Child support, visitation, and I’m sure you’ll want a stipend.”
“Or we stay together and that’s not an issue.”
“You and him… He’s already lost covers because of you. The last thing a magazine like Jet wants is a man who’s with a white woman on their cover. He was supposed to do the shoot two weeks ago and it got cancelled. I tried everything, even assuring them I was his woman, but somehow their editor had heard about you.”
“They cancelled because of me?”
“Them and about a dozen other sponsors and companies that initially wanted his image, but thanks to you, his image is tarnished. He doesn’t want to listen to me though. Will you? I guess you have no problem leaving now that you have an insta-check gestating in you.”
“I didn’t try to get pregnant.”
“So fucking him in every conceivable place was supposed to keep you barren? Right Sylvia. I’m that dumb. You’ve been trying to get pregnant from day one.”
“No, I haven’t. We’ve used protection every time. I don’t even know how I got pregnant.”
“Well in that case is it his?”
“Yes it’s his. I haven’t been with anyone else.”
Simone rolled her eyes and got her phone.
“I haven’t.”
“Whatever. I assume you’re keeping it so I need to talk to his lawyer.”
“How about I tell Matthias first?”
“Right, like I’d let you get a head start on this.”
“I don’t want his damn money. I’ve never wanted it.”
“You swear.”
“Yes.”
“So, I can call his lawyer up and have the documents signed today.”
“If that’s what it takes. But I don’t think Matthias will be happy about severing his rights to a child he never knew.”
Simone sighed, then sat down on the couch motioning Sylvia to sit in the chair next to it.
“You’re going to do what you need to, but there was a reason Matthias never had children with Sharee. He told her that it would destroy his game to have a baby waking him up every few hours, getting sick, taking her from him…It’s not that they didn’t talk about having kids maybe when he retired, but Sylvia, he’s not ready to retire.”
“I know he’s not. He has at least five more years, but it’s not like I couldn’t sleep in the room with the baby and…”
Even as Sylvia tried to find a way around Matthias’ objections, she remembered his plea to her last night and his need for her to be by him in bed to sleep. She’d upset and reset his life’s balance. He could get righted again over the summer break, but if she wanted to carry his child Simone was right, this would end his career. Neither Matthias nor she would be able to forgive themselves for that.
“Sylvia…Sylvia…Sill
y?”
“Huh?”
“Did I lose you?”
“I was just…if I love him I have to leave, don’t I?”
“That’s something you’re going to have to decide for yourself. I’ve already fixed so many of your blunders. You know I’ll fix what I can, but Sylvia, I’m only one person and it’s not like you’ve been taking steps to protect him.”
“I could though, you could teach me.”
“I’ve been trying. You have a really low learning curve when it comes to PR.”
Both of them jumped as the door opened. Simone grabbed Sylvia’s test and hid it as Matthias came down the hall.
“Silly, I need you, I turned my damn ankle in practice because the damn trainer doesn’t understand how I like it wrapped.”
“I’m coming.” Sylvia leaned over to Simone and whispered. “I’m not going to tell him right now, please don’t either.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.”
* * * *
Silly brought the bucket of ice from the icemaker in the freezer and dumped it into a smaller basin, then added cold water.
“Come on gimpy,” she teased as Matthias felt every step shoot up his left leg.
The pain had turned into a dull ache, but when he placed his left foot in the ice bath he screamed.
“Damn it…I swore I’d dulled every nerve in my foot enough to handle frickin’ ice.”
“If you had then I’d be amputating and this wouldn’t be an issue.”
Silly draped a blanket over his legs as he sat on top of the toilet seat.
“I’m dead sexy right now aren’t I?”
“It’s taking everything inside me to not rip your clothes off and take you while you’re vulnerable like this.” She smiled at him as she sat on the edge of the tub rubbing his right ankle to get the fluid moving again.
“I’m old.”
“And decrepit. Are you held together with duct tape and superglue?”
“Don’t forget the twine.”
“Ah, yes, for the tendons.”
“Exactly. Silly, I…don’t know how much more I have left in me.”
“I’d say five to eight years at least.”
“I don’t want to be a toss-around player with a big contract no one wants to deal with. Put out there for a few minutes a game to sell tickets.”
“Then don’t. You could be a lot worse off. Believe me, look at Larry Bird.”
“Thank you for that. It’s just an ankle.”
“And it’s just a strain. Where are you feeling-wise?”
“Tingling.”
“Right on schedule, hot then numb and you’re done. Anything else sore?”
“My forearm.”
Silly bent his wrist back and rubbed the top of Matthias’ forearm to find the exact knot right below his elbow that has caused his jumper to skew during practice. She was so damn pretty with her hair still disheveled and falling to the side. She was wearing his T-shirt from last night with a pair of knee socks reminding him of her first night with him.
If he knew now what he’d known then he’d have asked her to marry him right then and there. She’d been the blessing he’d prayed to God for all those years. For the first time, he was considering retirement because he had someone to really be with when the game was gone. She didn’t want him to play five more years so she could take his money or travel the world with him. She wanted it because she knew how much the game meant to him.
His ankle was now numb so he pulled it out of the ice and Silly patted the cold limb and looked up at him while shaking her head.
“Help me up,” she said as she extended her hand and he lifted her with ease. “You’re on bed rest till dinner.”
“I’ve found I don’t get much rest in bed.”
“Today you will. Leg propped up and I’ll wrap it to reduce the swelling.”
“You think I can’t work with that…actually you’d have to do more of the work this time, but I’m good with that.”
“I’m sure you would be, but the best thing for you is rest. I’ll bring you a sandwich and chips. Don’t you have to find out if Victor’s going to remember who he is today and come back from the dead at his funeral?”
“Do you think they keep adjusting the same headstone for him or buy a new one each time they think he’s dead?”
“Have you ever considered he’s a vampire?”
“Or a zombie.”
“See, now you’ve piqued my interest.”
Silly left and Simone came in with her phone at the ready.
“I’ve got all the late night shows lined up after you win.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Yes.”
“I mean how can you book me before I even won?”
“You think that Linc Carmike isn’t booked too?”
“Maybe, what else?”
“Local stuff, Sharee sent over a proposal for a cologne that wants you to put in start up funds—”
“Anton? I’m only interested in where we’re at with that.”
“Right, he can come by tomorrow. Did you want me to send Sylvia on an errand or something?”
“What time?”
“You name it or he can meet you at the gym, but with all the press there…”
“I know. Um, yes let’s find something for her to do for an hour or two.”
“I’ll figure out something and get it scheduled.”
“More PR?” Silly asked as she entered with a sandwich, Gatorade, and fresh vegetables.
“I thought you said chips.”
“I changed my mind. You need the veggies. Too much road food.”
“I suppose.”
“Now rest, I’m going to do some work in the living room.”
“What work do you have to do?”
“I’m an unemployed college graduate now, I need to find a job.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Fine, be that way. I do know one person who’d love a personal trainer.”
“You’re not paying me to treat your decrepit body.”
“You’re no fun.”
* * * *
“Are you really looking for a job?” Simone asked as Sylvia powered up her laptop.
“I’ve been looking, I’m just now going to expand my search nationwide.”
“You’re going to leave the city entirely?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing right now, because I’m not sure that my condition is as detrimental as you think.”
“He wants you out of the apartment for a few hours tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“There’s a guy coming over and you being here could damage the negotiations.”
“That’s fine. Could you leave now though? I think I’m going to lay down for a few hours and get my head straight.”
“Sure, I can make my calls from downstairs.”
“Thanks.”
Curling up on the couch Sylvia threw a throw blanket over herself and snuggled in. All of the day’s activity had worn her out, but this she remembered too, being so tired in the first few months of pregnancy.
Sylvia looked down to see she was practically naked with only underwear on and even that was plain and ordinary. Cotton bra and panties that hid parts of her scars that she’d turned into tattoos. She was at Municipal Auditorium in the center of the basketball court. The auditorium was empty. In the distance she heard a basketball bouncing as it made its way down the steps and onto the floor landing right at her feet. Picking it up, she scanned the arena for the origin of the ball only to bump into Sharee.
“Why are you standing there? He’s hurt!” She sneered.
“Who’s hurt?”
“The only man that matters in the world and it’s all your fault.”
“My fault? Did I trip him or something?”
“You destroyed him. Everything he’s worked for is gone…”
Sylvia shot straight up and looked around the now dim condo. She mus
t have slept away the afternoon. Sweat covered her brow as she stumbled down the hallway to find Matthias passed out and turned to the side. She examined his foot and saw no damage. But she knew in her heart how she’d damaged him and now she and their baby had to leave before he truly was destroyed.
* * * *
Sylvia sat nervously in the second row. Langston didn’t seem to notice or at least he didn’t acknowledge her strange behavior she feared was all over her face. The game was amazing. Who didn’t love a sudden death game seven? There was no redemption after this.
Sylvia still wrapped Matthias’ ankles before the game and she was glad he was too lost in the game film he’d been reviewing over the last twenty-four hours to notice she was lingering. She wanted to remember every wonderful moment of touching him, because she knew it would be for the last time.
Even though it was just touching his lower leg, she didn’t want it to stop. The world around her was a blur of noise until she heard him.
“Silly…hello…anyone in there?”
“Sorry, is it too tight?” she asked, not wanting to look at him.
“Hey, I need my girl out there to cheer me on.”
“I’ll always cheer you on, forever.”
“That’s why you’re my girl,” Matthias said as he kissed the top of her head. “Now I better get my head in the game.”
“Right.” Sylvia looked at Matthias. “You’ll be flawless.”
Simone sat next to Sylvia, knowing all too well what her plan was. She at least agreed that leaving before the game would knock Matthias off too much. The plan was perfect in her head. She’d stay as long as she could then cut out to where she’d parked her car on a side street. She hadn’t wanted to keep the car Matthias earned from a commercial, but Simone told her he’d want her to have it since she’d sold her car months ago. Maybe she could send it back when she saved enough up to buy a new one.
She’d head back to the Twin Cities where she had a few interviews set up. Some in rehab clinics, an on-campus sports trainer, and one with the Wolves who were looking for trainers too. If that didn’t work out, she’d head east and hit Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cleveland. At least she thought she would. She had quite a bit of money saved up from her months living with Matthias.
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