by Ml Rodriguez
“If anyone has a problem with my woman, speak up NOW!” Zane announces in a commanding voice. “This is the last time she will be disrespected. Next time, I won’t let her handle it—I will. No one messes with my woman or my girls. If anyone needs to leave, it’s Lisa.”
“How dare you …” Lisa’s mother gasps. “How dare you treat her like that?!”
She turns to Angélica for support, but Angélica is looking at Zane with big shining eyes. I imagine she’s planning our wedding right this second in her mind, and picking out baby names for her future grandchildren.
“No, Mrs. Angelo, y’all listen here,” snaps Zane, pointing at both her and Lisa. “Faith is my woman. She’s the woman I spend all my time with and the woman that I’m not lettin’ go. I’ve found the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with. And that person sure as hell isn’t Lisa. So get it out of your head that you and my mother are gonna be related by marriage. I. Will. Not. Marry. Lisa. I’ve been cordial to y’all because you’re my mother’s friend, but that’s gonna stop if y’all continue to be rude to Faith. If this family has to choose between y’all or Faith, I can tell you hands down that Faith is gonna win. She’s my woman and will be respected as such.” He looks around at the rest of the family. “Anyone else have a problem?”
No one says anything and I don’t blame them. Zane has gone into protective mode and you don’t want to mess with him. Having Zane stand up for me—us—like that is freaking awesome. If we weren’t surrounded by his family, I would drag him into a secluded corner and show him my appreciation.
“Well, that’s settled,” Julian announces. “Congratulations, son.”
Angélica is looking at us with tears in her eyes and smiling from ear to ear.
“So, Lisa, you leavin’?” Jackie asks gleefully. Yup, my friend is more than happy to finally have that girl put in her place.
“Hurumpf.” Lisa settles down with a pout.
After that, we all resume eating and making small talk. People stop to chat with us and congratulate us on our relationship. Everyone is happy that Zane is ready to settle down. His male cousins say it’s because they’ll get to sweep up all the broken-hearted women that will finally realize they have no chance with him now. Before, Zane was the unattainable, the one every woman wanted to change, but no more. He’s with me now. He’s mine and he’s happy. I look at my girls and see Rylee laughing at something Colton is saying. Skylar’s too busy munching down on her food to make conversation.
Life is good.
We’ve been accepted into Zane’s family and I can breathe easier. I was afraid they would disapprove of me and my girls, and I’m glad to see that those fears were for nothing. They accept us because we make Zane happy and that’s all they want.
The rest of the day is spent mingling and getting know the rest of the family. There are so many of them that I know I won’t be able to remember everyone’s name. We cut Josilyn’s beautiful cake, a five-tier chocolate fondant cake splashed with a variety of colors (turquoise, purple, pink, yellow, and orange). Each tier is wrapped in a different color edible ribbon, and each layer is a different flavor. Amazing, beautiful, and so delicious.
Of course, after the cake cutting, we all gather around to cheer the young’uns on while they break the soccer ball piñata. Yes, a piñata. Josilyn says she’s still a kid at heart and she’ll have a piñata until the day she is no more. The piñata is a big hit, especially since Zane’s in charge of handling the rope that takes the piñata up and down, and he’s having a blast messing with the kids that are trying to hit it.
Everyone is having a good time and Lisa’s rudeness from earlier is forgotten. Rylee is hanging out and getting to know Josilyn’s cousins, and Skylar is having the time of her life playing with the other kids her age. I … well, I find myself in Zane’s arms. He keeps me close and tells me how much he loves having us here with his family.
“If I didn’t know that it would freak you out, I’d ask you to marry me right this instant,” he tells me, catching me by surprise. He chuckles at my expression. “Relax, I won’t ask because I know you’re not ready, and I don’t have a ring yet.” He laughs at my gasp. “You were worried my family wasn’t going to like you, but they love you and the girls. They just want me to be happy and they realize that y’all are my happiness. I knew the first time I saw you that you were gonna change my life. I’m glad that you’re changin’ it by bringing laughter to me and showing me that there are some women, besides the ones in my family that take care of their men and are there to take their back when needed. Thank you, baby.”
“No, Zane, thank you. You barged into my life and made me take a risk. Thank you for showin’ me that there’s more to life than what I was livin.’ When I lost Jake, I lost a part of myself, and my dreams and future changed. I don’t regret my decisions, but I lost the sexy and fun part when I took over being mother and father to my daughters. Thank you for showing me that I’m still sexy and young. Your alpha-male, chest-beating, you’re-mine attitude may piss me off, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
I can tell that he’s happy with my reply because he grabs me and kisses me. I think he’s going to plant a hot and sexy, drop-your-panties kisses, but I’m wrong. His kiss is so tender and full of emotion, I want to cry from the strong feelings it evokes. I forget we’re surrounded by his family, and I and lose myself in our kiss. That kiss relays an emotion I’m not ready to verbally admit to, but I can show him. I’m afraid to lose what we’ve found. I pray that life decides to let me keep Zane. He’s come to mean so much to me and the girls. He wants to show us that he’ll be here for us, and is constantly showing his affection and dedication for us. The “I’m never going to settle down” man is reformed and not afraid to shout it to the world. I send a prayer up above: Please, please let us keep him.
We finally separate when the whole family starts cheering. He keeps his arm around me and we head back to sit with his parents. Instead of letting me have my own seat, he settles me on his lap. I try to get up, but his hold on me tightens.
“It’s okay, Faith. Here’s where you belong. You belong with me, so start getting used to having my arms around you and being in my lap whenever possible, even in public. I wasn’t one for PDA until I met you,” he tells me and gives me quick peck on the lips.
I decide to throw caution to the wind and enjoy our closeness. If anyone is bothered by it, they don’t make a peep and everything continues as normal. Both Jackie and Angélica are smiling these big, huge smiles and have faraway looks in their eyes; Angélica is probably dreaming of wedding colors and grandbabies, and Jackie is probably thinking of ways to tease her baby brother later on. Me, well I’m just happy in Zane’s arms.
Moments later, I hear a ruckus going on behind us and I turn to see what’s going on. The younger generation of Knight males, the ones around Rylee’s age, have a soccer ball and are going around rounding up other males. I’m confused about what’s going on until Jackie fills me in.
“Every family gatherin,’ we play a game of fútbol. Sometimes the girls play, but it’s mostly the boys and men. Regardless, we all head to the park to cheer them on,” she tells me.
“Ah,” I say with intrigue, getting my thinking face on.
I turn to Zane. “Do you play, honey?”
“Ha, do I play?” He replies. “Baby, I’m the shit.” He puffs out his chest, trying to look all macho.
I laugh at my man’s humble reply. Hmmm … I wonder if they’ll let me play. I could use a game of soccer to relax and have a bit of fun.
“So can anyone play, or is it only y’all men?” I ask.
He looks at me and chuckles. “You wanna play?”
“Of course. It looks fun,” I reply tongue-in-cheek. “I think Rylee and Josilyn will want to join as well.”
“These games are serious. We’re a competitive lot. I don’t want you to get hurt, but if you wanna play … I’ll let you be on my team since you’re my woman and all,” he tells me
with a grin on his face.
“Oh! You’ll let me be on your team. Thanks,” I say with a bit of attitude.
He probably thinks I’m doing it to get brownie points, but he doesn’t know that I love to play. This is something that hasn’t come up in conversation and it might come as a surprise.
“Baby, I’m good. I’ll be humble like you and just say that I’m pretty good so you won’t have to worry about me.”
He looks at me with a big smile from ear to ear, which baffles me because I figured he’d be surprised. He just smiles and doesn’t contradict me. Smart man. “Okay, babe,” he says. “You and the girls wanna play, y’all will play.”
“Hey y’all,” he yells out to the rest of the guys. “Faith, Rylee, and Josilyn want to play.”
The guys laugh and there’s some grumbling, but it quickly dies when they see that we’re serious.
“They’re gonna to be on my team,” Zane announces and some of the males on his team don’t look happy.
“We’ll take it easy on y’all then,” one of his cousins replies.
Colton, the sweetie, says, “I’m on Uncle Zane’s team.”
Bless that boy, I think he has a crush on Rylee. He’s going to be disappointed, since she’s currently dating a boy from her school. I don’t think he’s good enough for my baby girl, but I support her and don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not serious, since she’s only been out with him a couple of times due to all her practices and schoolwork, but apparently they’re “going out” as the school-vine says.
“Alright, everyone. Go change and then we’ll make our way over to the field,” Zane announces.
The girls come over to me, and Colton is right behind them.
“Mrs. Faith, you really going to play?” Josilyn asks in disbelief. Even though she’s Rylee’s best friend, I don’t think Rylee has told her that I used to play back in my day.
Rylee and I share a look and smile. “Yes, darlin,’ I’m gonna play today. It’s been a while since I played and I want to have some fun and a little challenge.”
Jackie, who knows my little secret, and Rylee start laughing. The guys look at them as if they’re out of their minds. I just tell the guys, “Relax, I know how play.” I turn to Zane. “Honey, trust me, we’re going to kick ass.”
At that, Rylee and I head to the Jeep to get our gear, which I keep in my vehicle in case I get a craving to play when I have some free time. I may not be playing ball professionally anymore, but I still like to keep my skills sharp. Not only was I a hell of a student, I was also a hell of a ballplayer.
We head out to change, leaving everyone else behind in disbelief. I hear Jackie say, “This is going to be so fun. Ma, we need the popcorn and chairs.” She chuckles all the way to the house.
Zane
She thinks I don’t know about her talent, but she’s wrong. I can’t wait to see my Faith play. I’ve heard of her skills and seen some YouTube videos showcasing them, but I never had the pleasure of seeing her play in person.
To get to actually play on a team with her, even if it’s just a friendly and very competitive family game, is going to be an honor that I’ll treasure always.
When everyone’s finished changing, we make our way to the park. There are twenty people playing, so nine will be on the field for each team and the other two on goalie for their respective teams. Our team is comprised of Zane, Rylee, Josilyn, Colton, Julian, myself, and four other family members. The other team is comprised of more uncles and cousins, whose names I’ve yet to remember.
“Josilyn, you’re goalie,” Zane, our team captain, orders. “You play the position in school and are probably the best qualified out of all of us. Rylee, Colton, and you (he points to a cousin) are midfielders. Dad, you and y’all (he points to his two uncles) are defenders. Y’all stay in front of the goal, so y’all won’t have to run much. Faith, you’ll have to be a forward along with my cousin and me.”
If I didn’t know any better, I would say he knows I know how to play; otherwise, he’d put me on defense. But how can he, since I haven’t told him about that part of my past? Unless he seriously follows soccer. It’s been a few years but my name still goes around and I still make rare appearances. Nah, I tell myself. He’s doesn’t know. He probably just assumes I have more endurance than the older gentlemen. That must be it. Poor man must be worried we’re going to get our butts kicked.
“Honey, it’s okay,” I reassure him. “I know how to play. Who do you think practices with Rylee at home and taught Skylar about the game?”
“I’m not worried. I know you can play,” he tells me, taking me by surprise. “These family games are different than the regular games y’all are used to playin’ and I don’t want y’all girls gettin’ hurt. The cousins and uncles tend to get competitive and a little pushy. They turn into asses. Just be careful.”
“Relax. We’ll just push back, I promise,” I tell him, trying to be reassuring.
After handing out positions, we make our way towards Angélica and I hear someone say, “Look at her. She thinks she can play. Psshh. I hope Zane sees her make a fool of herself.”
As expected, it’s Lisa speaking, but at least the other ladies are smart enough to quiet her down and remind her of my place in Zane’s world. Since Zane made my position clear with the family, and they now realize that my girls and I just want Zane to be happy, the rest of the aunts and cousins have taken an even better liking to me. Thank goodness, because I was about to head over there and slap the crap out of that woman. There are just some women that rub you the wrong way and Lisa is one of those for me.
I see Zane’s jaw tighten and I lean in to give him a kiss. I want him to have fun and not worry about Lisa’s jealousy. That kiss on the jaw leads to a kiss on the lips, which leads to Zane wrapping his arms around me.
“A kiss for good luck, baby,” he says.
My smile turns into a laugh when I hear Lisa’s “harrumph,” but she still doesn’t leave. She’s like an annoying buzzing mosquito that doesn’t go away.
Skylar is sitting next to Angélica, ready to cheer her momma and sister on.
“Yay, Momma, Josilyn, and Rylee! Kick some tushy!” She exclaims excitedly.
“What about me, my lil’ princess?” Zane asks, trying to sound offended. He picks up Skylar and starts tickling her.
Between bouts of laughter, she cries, “You too, Zane! I’ll cheer for you too. Momma make him stop! I’m gonna pee in my pants!”
We all laugh at the two of them and Zane finally puts her down and gives her a loud smacking kiss on her forehead. Throughout all of this, Angélica is smiling fondly and sharing looks with Julian.
“Ready for some fútbol,” yells the opposing team.
“Alright everyone,” Zane calls. “Let’s get on the field. I want to have bragging rights, so don’t allow them to score! One, two, three, GO!”
We run out onto the field and take our positions.
The game starts out pretty mild. The other men try to take it easy on us girls, but after Zane scores the first goal and our defense is pretty solid, they start getting more aggressive. I get pushed around, which annoys the heck out of me but I deal with it like a big girl. When I finally get pushed down and it’s not accidental, that’s when I’ve had enough. It’s time to show these boys what I’m made of—no more nice Faith. It’s time to get my game on.
“What the fuck, Juan!” Zane’s pissed that my butt is on the ground and Juan did it to be an ass. Juan is one of his uncles through marriage. Zane doesn’t like him; he’s a bit conceited and to be frank, an asshole.
“If she wants to play with the big boys, Zane, then she has to deal,” Juan replies smugly.
Big mistake. Zane is now livid. He charges over, getting in Juan’s face and grabbing him by his shirt. The rest of the males are trying to calm the situation with no results. Zane outweighs Juan by a good bit of muscle, is taller, and very, very pissed off. I finally get myself together and touch Zane’s arm.
&nbs
p; “It’s okay, baby,” I try to reassure him. “That just hurt my pride and that’s all. Come on, honey.” I try to lead him away and after a few tugs, I finally succeed.
As we near the sidelines I hear snide remarks coming from Lisa. That girl is really starting to piss me off. Seriously starting to get on my last nerve.
Rylee and Josilyn make their way to me. “You okay, Momma?”
“I’m fine, baby girl.”
“My uncle’s an ass, Mrs. Faith, and so are his sons. Sorry about that.” Josilyn sounds embarrassed.
“It’s okay, girly, no harm done,” I tell her. It’s not her fault some people don’t have any manners.
I turn to Zane and the rest of the men on our team. “Alright. They wanted us to play like the ‘big boys,’ so we’ll show them. Rylee”—I turn to my girl—“no more holding back. Give it your all and you too, Josilyn. No goals, and I mean absolutely no goals allowed. Got me?”
The girls nod their heads. The males are surprised at my announcement and my tone of voice, but Zane, that man is smiling from ear to ear. I’m really starting to think he knows one of my secrets. I’m talking in my “in the zone” voice, meaning it’s time to play some serious ball.
“Zane, baby, I told you I could play and I can. I’m actually pretty darn good. They want us to bring it aggressively, so we’ll bring it. Shit just got serious,” I say, trying to sound like a badass. “Be ready, okay?”
Julian starts to chuckle. “What’s your last name again, darlin’?”
“It’s Duval, sir,” I reply. It seems a strange time for him to ask, but I answer nonetheless.
He starts laughing and when asked why, he replies, “Y’all will see in a bit. Keep your eyes open and pay attention. Today, we’ll see grown men cry.” After his prediction, we run onto the field and open up a real “can of whoop ass” on them boys.
And boy did those men cry. They cried rivers of tears, so much you could drown them in. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve encountered. Juan and his sons ate their words and Zane got bragging rights. Rylee and Josilyn were able to showcase their skills and, oh my goodness, did they do it. I’m so proud of those girls. Josilyn stopped every goal attempt that came her way and Rylee, well that girl sure did surprise everyone. That last goal was amazing. I passed the ball to her and while covered by two defensive players, she stopped the ball with her chest, found an opening, got the ball up, and scored a bicycle goal. Like I said, freaking amazing! That had everyone’s jaw dropping—except mine and Skylar’s, of course.