Under Further Review

by Xyla Turner

  Shane took care of Diamond in every way and in multiple ways. He did things she wasn’t sure could be done back to back. He was patient, loving and revered her body like she was his. That was one night she would never forget and one morning, she wished would never end.

  After brushing her teeth, putting on his t-shirt and short shorts, she slowly walked into the kitchen and saw Shane in front of the oven turning over pancakes while whistling. On the counter, were two plates with bacon on one and eggs on another. The coffee pot was full and pancakes were already stacked on the other burner.

  “Morning,” she called over his whistling.

  Shane turned and smiled brightly at her. The same smile she'd seen in the mirror.

  “Morning, love.” He turned towards her and shifting his weight on one foot. “Come here.”

  He was standing in jeans and a tank top with bare feet. The spatula was in his left hand and his right hand was at his side. When Diamond was close enough to him, he reached out and wrapped his hands around the back of her neck to pull her towards him. Kissing her deeply as she moved her arms around his neck so she could press against him more while standing on the tips of her toes.

  Diamond could not believe she had sex with Shane Sinclair and that he was in her kitchen whistling and cooking. No shoes or socks, like he belonged there and they did this every day. He pulled back and kissed her nose.

  “Breakfast is almost ready. Want to get the table prepared?” he asked.

  “Okay,” she rocked back on her heels.

  Once the table and food were prepared, Shane turned to her and asked, “How many pancakes would you like?”

  “Two is fine.”

  He prepared both of their plates and brought them back to the table that was already filled with juice, syrup, butter, salt and pepper. The kitchen had an alcove that Diamond used as her pseudo dining room. It was large enough to hold her six-chair set with ample room to move around. Shane sat at the head and she sat next to him.

  “How do you feel?” he asked as he took a bite of bacon.

  “Good.” she smiled. “A little sore, but it’s been awhile.”

  “Hmm,” he nodded.

  “How do you feel?” she asked him, but regretted it as soon as she did.

  Shane raised his eyebrows at the question, then smiled. “The best I’ve felt in years.”

  Diamond smiled and stuffed the pancakes in her mouth as she blushed.

  “What’s on your agenda today?” Shane stopped eating and gave her an intense look.

  “Nothing really. I was going to do a little work from home, but that was about it.”

  “Good,” he nodded.

  They continued to eat and once they finished, Shane would not let her do the dishes, so she tidied up her bedroom and then returned to the living room to check emails on her Mac Book. Shane emerged from the kitchen and picked up Diamond’s Mac Book she was working on and put it under his arm. Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her up from the seat and led her to the couch. Where he sat down and pulled Diamond on his lap before he gave her the laptop.

  “Now you can finish,” he said.

  She laughed and said, “Thanks for your permission sir.”

  “My pleasure.”

  In that same position, Shane checked messages and emails on his phone, while Diamond did the same on her laptop. Later they turned on sports center to catch up on the highlights and debated amongst each other about who the best player in the league was and who was up and coming. They both had good points, but neither would admit this to the other.

  For lunch, Shane ordered paninis for the both of them, as they were too occupied exploring each other’s bodies to leave. After several rounds, they were both lying in bed but Diamond was partially draped over Shane. While his arm was above the pillow that her head rested on and his face was in her neck.

  He kissed her and said, “Soooo. Jefferson.”

  Diamond pulled back and replied, “A friend.”

  “What type of friend?” he murmured against her neck.

  “The platonic kind of friend. I was helping him out of a bind.”

  “Hmm, I see,” Shane mumbled. “Does he know it’s platonic?”

  “Yes, Shane.”

  “I can share with him that it is.” He kissed her neck. “Just so he’s clear.”

  “Oh no.” Diamond pulled back, “No thank you. I’m telling you it’s nothing. His girlfriend bailed on him at the last minute. She was mad he didn’t buy her a new dress, so she refused to go.”

  “Hmm, sounds like women I know.”

  “Really. I know no women like that.”

  “Stay in this industry long enough, you will know all women like that.”

  “Wow.”

  “So, this wasn’t the first date for you guys?”

  “Shane.” Diamond exclaimed. “Stop okay. I’m here with you. Woke up to you. I slept with you. There is no one else.”

  “Same here.” He pulled back so she could see his face. “I need you to know that. I don’t do that. One woman at a time. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  They still hadn’t defined what ‘that’ or ‘this’ was, but his statement felt good to Diamond.

  Somehow Shane was able to goad Diamond back to his mini palace for dinner. He even convinced her to pack a bag, although not much persuasion was needed. Her bag had to include running clothes, basketball gear, sexy lingerie and pajamas. Diamond tried to tell him she was only spending the night, but Shane wanted to be prepared for every event.

  They arrived around six in the evening and he wanted to take her to a restaurant, but she had not wanted to go out.

  “Why?” he asked for the third time.

  “Shane, please don't make this a thing? We had a great evening and a lovely day. However, my reasons still stand even after we have had sex. Okay?” Diamond sat down on the couch. “I'm willing to talk it through, but I don't want to argue.”

  Shane stared at her with a perplexed look on his face. Then he joined her on the sofa and said, “Okay. Let's do this.”

  He grabbed her hand and continued, “I don't see anything wrong with us going out. I'm aware that you feel like you are the one that suffers and I will admit, I did not realize that people would come at you to get a reaction from me.” He moved her hair behind her ear, so she could see him fully. “However, I don't like not being able to take you out. You went out with Jefferson. Why can't you go out with me?”

  “What is with you and Jefferson?” She laughed. “He literally needed a favor and I had a ball gown.”

  Shane was not laughing when he replied, “I want to be the one on your side. To take you out. Show you off to the world. View and enjoy you in private. Not Jefferson. Got it?”

  Diamond was speechless. She was not sure how to respond so she nodded her head in agreement.

  “Good. So now that you know, there is a Moroccan restaurant in Southwest that has a private section in the back. I know the owner and we won't be interrupted. He always looks out for me. They have the best food. How about we start there?”

  She was not too sure about this. Shane had a carefree way of viewing things, but her career and all that she gave up were at stake in a way. Freedom from her public life. Now she was the press looking at sports figures not the figure being looked at. She didn't tell Shane this, because she'd have to admit her failure. However, a man making the statement that he wants to be by her side would not be ignored.

  Diamond reluctantly nodded her head in agreement, then Shane showed her his classic smile. She tried to return it knowing that their bliss would be all too temporary.

  After a delicious dinner, they returned to his place to prepare for a run on his property. He lived in a secluded house that was clearly for the rich and famous. It had a full track, tennis and basketball courts in the middle. This was indoor, but there were windows everywhere displaying the full view of the hilly district that was the best-kept secret in DC. Shane said he bought it like this and that was wh
at sold him. The track he shared with some of his neighbors from time to time. The team had come over due to Shane’s signature parties or to play ball or just hang out.

  After their run, they both took the longest shower Diamond had ever had. They explored more with each other, utilized the shower walls and tested Shane’s upper body strength which was at the highest level. They continued their journey of each other to the bed and after two climaxes from both, they drifted to sleep in each other's arms.

  Shane’s phone started to buzz in the middle of the night which meant someone was calling him. The constant vibration caused Diamond to wake up. Once she realized it was his phone, she shook him and yawned, “Shane, wake up. Somebody is calling you.”

  “Wha?” he rumbled.

  “Your phone.” She nudged him again.

  “Huh?” He picked it up and said, “Lo?”

  Diamond picked her head up as she figured it was an emergency to call at three o-clock in the morning.

  “Why are you calling me at three in the morning?” Shane growled and got out of bed, leaving the bedroom.

  Diamond laid her head back down but after ten minutes, she got up to find him. It was probably his friend Austin he had told her about. He was the wide receiver for the Falcons and Shane mentioned that the two of them would see each other soon.

  He was in the kitchen, leaning on the counter when she found him. He was still on the phone and clearly annoyed.

  She mouthed, “everything alright?”

  He nodded and motioned for her to come to him by curving his finger. She slowly walked towards him and when she was within arm’s length, he pulled her and kissed her on the head.

  “Sorry love,” he whispered. “Semi-emergency. I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.”

  “Anything I can do?” Diamond asked.

  He kissed her head again and answered, “You’re already doing it.”

  She smiled and kissed him on the side of his lips. Diamond had no idea how long he was on the phone, but the next time she opened her eyes the sun from the windows was blinding her sight. When she went to check the time on her phone, she saw she had a text from Leanne.

  Hope you are having a better day than me. I'm receiving pressure that since you have a new friend, we should have a new exclusive on him. Can you get Shane to do it? Hate to say this, but it's important enough that your job could be on the line.

  Her eyes stung briefly as she was temporarily stunned from the timing. Where did they get their information from? How could they try to leverage her job with her “relationship” like that? She was flabbergasted at the thought. She would never approach him with such a proposition.

  She simply would not do it, so she'd have to tell Leanne tomorrow. Diamond planned to enjoy her moments with Shane even if they were only temporary, so she turned off her phone.

  Out of sight and out of mind.

  13

  Falling

  Shane cooked omelets for Diamond on Sunday morning. He couldn't remember the last time he cooked for a woman, but his mother made sure all of her kids knew how to cook at least for survival. He knew his friends would call him all types of names if they saw him in the kitchen cooking omelets for a woman. But he also knew that the guys that were in committed relationships were totally nuts for their women. Diamond wasn't official as of yet, but she really was.

  Everything had come to a stop when it came to her. He wondered what his father would say. Shane knew he didn't want her with anyone else, nor did he want anyone else. He knew that when he kissed her at her door on their first night, all the aches and pain left his body. There was no headache, no chest pains or even a memory of them. Shane wanted Diamond in every way so he planned to make sure nothing would get in his way and nobody.

  Including Vivian, who texted and called at three in the morning, because she was having a meltdown and the only person who could talk her off the ledge was Shane. Her mother was on the phone as well and even on the three-way call, Vivian did not sound coherent; like she had taken some medicine. Her mom mentioned that to Shane, but they wanted Vivian to stay on the phone, until the paramedics came to her hotel in New York. She was doing another photo shoot and from what Shane was able to gather, it didn’t go well and Vivian had a meltdown. More pointedly, she is upset that another woman is taking her man. Shane was too tired to entertain the madness, but Vivian legitimately sounded bad.

  Diamond and he were so new that he did not want to bring this up to her, because the last thing he wanted to do was show that he had any sort of drama in his life. Especially with an ex-fiancee. What kept running through his mind was something his dad used to tell him all the time, ‘If you think you should tell someone something, you should probably tell them’.

  After breakfast, Shane took Diamond on a walk around the grounds. They were dressed to play basketball, but since he had not practiced recently, he did not want to play a full game.

  “Ohhh, you’re scared. It’s okay,” Diamond taunted.

  He raised his eyebrows up at her and asked, “Do you want to put up a wager?”

  “Depends.” She countered his eyebrow raise with one of her own.

  “If I win, you stay with me all this week and if you win, I’ll talk at a press conference.”

  Diamond burst out laughing. When she calmed she said, “Shane, you not speaking at a press conference is no water off my back. That makes it easier for me to not have to ask questions.”

  “Is that so?”

  “That is very so.” She smiled brightly.

  “Okay, then what’s your wager?”

  Diamond thought about what LeAnne had demanded of her, but she could not fathom bargaining that to him. She decided she would feel cheap. Therefore, she said, “Okay, you are serious. Cool. If I win, you must get someone else to do the exclusive on your father’s charity.”

  Shane raised an eyebrow and then he said, “Okay, bet.”

  He lifted his fist for a bump. She complied with the gesture and two hours later, several rematches later, and a butt bump from Diamond, Shane finally conceded that she was the better player. The two showered, fooled around for a bit and lounged on each other on the sofa.

  “It’s eight o’clock. Wow, I have to go home and get ready for tomorrow.” Diamond looked up at Shane, who was drawing circles on her stomach. She was lying across him with her head on the armrest and her upper body covered his legs as hers were on the couch.

  “Stay.” Shane kissed her head.

  “I can’t. It’s getting really tough at work, so I have to be mentally prepared. You’ve jumbled my mind.” She laughed.

  “Hopefully, in a good way.” He kissed the top of her head again. “Five more minutes,” Shane kept swirling his fingers around the contours of her stomach.

  Ten minutes later, Diamond turned to Shane with her face in his abdomen and growled. Shane laughed and pulled her up, so she was straddling him. Her forehead touched his and he broke the silence by stating, “I had a great time with you. I want this from now on, okay. I’m letting you know, so there is no confusion. Alright?”

  Diamond nodded, moving his with her vertical head motions.

  “Good.” Shane nodded, causing the same movement from her.

  They both laughed, then Shane said, “Are you free tomorrow evening after the game? I’m having a movie night and I’d like you to come.”

  “Well, I don’t know.” Diamond said with a smirk.

  “Why?” Shane became alert.

  “Well, not sure what mood you might be in if you lose.”

  “Please, we are playing the Steelers. Of course we’re going to win.”

  Diamond raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “Aren’t you tired after those games?”

  “Usually, I’m pumped and that is why I have a gathering. I’m sure we’ll be celebrating.”

  “Who all is going to be there?” Diamond asked.

  “Uh, some of the guys, their women and others.”

  She thought about it a little
more and nodded her head. “Okay. I’ll come after, but only for a short while. I have work in the morning unlike you guys.”

  “Good.” Shane smiled. “Good. Get your stuff and I’ll drive you home.”

  “Alright.

  Shane drove her home and stayed an additional ten minutes kissing her at the door and not wanting to leave. He knew she had work to do, but he was selfish. His heart was beating faster, palms were sweaty and he started to feel sick as he thought of leaving her. Then it hit him, she was the culprit. The reason why he was feeling bereft.

  Damn, he thought.

  When Shane entered the locker room the next day three hours before the game, he saw the guys passing around a newspaper. Some were making kissy noises and others were fictitiously gagging. When Keith saw him, he yelled, “The man of the hour is here. So, pray tell, how does it feel to be in love?”

  “What?” Shane involuntarily lifted up one side of his mouth in a smirk and squinted his eyes in disbelief.

  “Don’t play coy with us. The stud muffin goes from one fox to another all in a matter of months.” Then Keith held up the paper.

  “What?” Shane stalked over to him and snatched the paper.

  On the cover was that same picture of he and Diamond against the car with him gazing into her eyes. There were some more kissy noises, until Ralph, who had just recently gone through a divorce asked, “Where’s that Vivian girl? She was hot.”

  “She was also not right for me.” Shane threw the paper back at Keith and started to go to his locker.

  “This coming from a man who’s making googly eyes to some chick named Diamond. That even sounds like a gold diggers’ name,” Ralph countered.

  Shane’s pace slowed as he processed what his teammate just said. His mind was cloudy as he tried to think of all the other possible things Ralph could have said, besides what his mind told him he said. He turned around and asked, “What did you just say?”