by Abbi Hemp
I rushed toward the door, but he grabbed my arm before I reached it.
He pulled me closer to him as he wiggled his tongue like a madman.
“Come here, baby cakes. You know you want it.”
“Stop,” I yelled.
I raised the ashtray to hit him again. He backhanded me before I could do anything, sending me to the floor. I looked up and saw him staring down at me.
His pudgy fingers were unbuttoning his pants. I struggled to my feet, looking around the room for anything to protect myself.
“Just relax and fucking enjoy it,” he snarled as his pants dropped to his ankles.
His door burst open. Both of us turned to see Tony march in with a look I’d never seen on his face before. Ugly Stan reached for something in his pocket, but he was too slow.
Tony landed a punch to his face. Then another. Two more, and the fat man fell to the floor in a heap of flesh and bones, moaning.
“Leave me alone,” he said.
“Or what?” Tony asked, still crouched down.
Ugly Stan cried for help, but none of the bouncers came to his rescue.
“You’re done with,” Tony said. “Just come clean and admit it.”
“Admit I’m a fucking genius and got away with running escorts out of the stadium? Never gonna happen.”
“What did you just say you did?” Tony asked.
I saw his hand reaching for his back pocket.
Does he have a gun?
“It’s not worth it, Tony,” I shouted as I got to my feet.
He pulled out something much more dangerous than a gun – his cellphone.
“Keep talking, fat-fuck,” Tony said, pointing the device at Ugly Stan on the floor.
“That don’t mean shit. I’m under duress.”
“You’re going to be under a lot more than duress.”
“What’s going on in here?” a new bouncer I’d never seen before asked.
“Get them,” Ugly Stan said, pointing to Tony. “Take his cellphone.”
Tony stood up straight, looking at the other burly man, daring him to make a move.
“I’m not attacking the quarterback of the Cleveland Rebels,” the man said, backing away.
“You’re fucking fired,” Ugly Stan screamed.
“Call me,” Tony said to the bouncer. “Maybe I’ll hire you for security.”
“That would be such an honor.”
“All of you better get out of here before I call the fucking police.”
“Go ahead and call them,” I said, feeling more confident.
Tony motioned toward the doorway. I walked out.
A few people looked at us as we passed, but I didn’t care.
Outside the club in the parking lot, I put my arms around Tony.
“How did you know?”
“I tried to tell you this would happen.”
“You could have offered to come with me.”
“I followed you as soon as you left,” he said, running his fingers through my hair. “There was no way I was going to let you come here alone.”
“He… He scared me. I thought…”
“You’re safe now,” he said in a consoling tone.
I rested my head against his chest as he held me tight.
We still had a lot of problems, but maybe Tony would be able to get back on the team.
That wouldn’t solve all our problems, but it would go in a long way in making him happy which would please me. In some ways, I cared more about his happiness than my own.
“I’m going to the stadium,” he said.
“Should I come with you?”
“It’s up to you.”
“Okay. I’ll follow you in my car.”
“Let’s go,” he said.
We got into our cars and headed toward the stadium downtown.
Did Tony really think a blurry cellphone video would convince his coach of our innocence?
FORTY-ONE
Tony
When we got to the stadium, I parked in my usual spot. Heidi followed me inside.
In the hallway outside of Coach’s office, I saw Harris walk out of the locker room.
“What are you doing here?” he asked with surprise.
“Don’t worry about it.”
I kept walking past him.
“Hey…”
He grabbed my arm. I spun around to face him.
“You got a problem?” I asked.
“I asked what you’re doing here.”
“And I told you not to worry about it.” I held up my cellphone. “This is going to be your downfall.”
He swiped at it, sending the phone to the cement floor.
“You mother-fucker,” I said when swung at him, hitting the side of his face.
“What’s going on out here?” Coach yelled as he came into the hallway.
Heidi scrambled to pick up my phone.
“I’ve got something to show you, Coach.”
Harris rubbed the side of his face.
“He’s fucking lying.”
“I know who’s behind the escorts, Coach, and I have proof.”
Heidi handed me the phone. I swiped the screen and showed him the video.
After watching the whole thing, he glanced at me with a scowl on his face then turned to Harris.
“What is it?” my former teammate asked.
“In my office, now,” Coach said. “All of you.”
We all went into his office, including Heidi.
“This is crazy,” Harris said. “I don’t know that Stan guy.”
“Bullshit,” Coach said. “With this video and the other evidence I’ve gathered, we’ve got enough to prosecute you and get Tony back on the team.”
Coach turned to me.
“You want your job back, right?”
“I do.”
Heidi wrapped her arm around mine.
“You’re going to believe him over me, Coach?” Harris asked.
“It’s not a matter of believing one of you when I’ve got evidence you’re guilty.” He paused then added, “Besides. I’d rather have Tony on the team any day of the week.”
“Coach…”
“I’m calling the police. You might want to call a lawyer.”
Harris rushed out of the room. I stepped toward the door, but Coach stopped me.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s not going anywhere. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, Tony.”
“It’s fine, Coach. As long as I can play in the season opener.”
“You’re going to win me the championship ring this year, right?”
“Nothing will stop the team this year. I guarantee it.”
While I had no idea if we would have a good season or not, I was ready to but everything I had into making sure we did.
* * *
Back at the house, I stopped Heidi in the living room and put my arm around her waist.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
She stared up and into my eyes.
Looking into those green orbs never got old.
“I told you it was going to work out.”
“Well, I still lost all my lottery money.”
“Yeah, but you still have me. Or am I not enough?”
Before she answered, I leaned forward and kissed her.
I slid my tongue into her mouth, loving the way it felt against hers.
We undressed each other right there in the living room.
Neither of us cared about anything other than what was about to happen.
I had fucked her in almost every position more than once, but it hadn’t grown old.
The touch of her soft, silky skin against mine would never grow old.
Once naked, I bent her over the side of the couch.
Her round ass stuck out, tempting me.
I slipped on a condom. With everything else going on, the last thing we needed was to bring a child into the world. At least not right away.
“Oh,” she said, surprised as I kne
lt on the floor behind her.
I spread her ass cheeks apart and ran my tongue the length of her slit.
She moaned as I dug in, loving the taste of her juices, the texture of her pussy lips.
After a few licks, she was plenty wet. I stood behind her, cock in hand, and pressed it against her tender flesh. With a quick, solid push, I penetrated her with my entire nine inches.
“Fuck,” I said, still marveling at her tightness and how well that pussy of hers wrapped itself around my cock.
Thrust. Pull out. Repeat.
Easy, but I loved to mix it up.
I switched up the angle of entry.
“Yes,” she hissed.
As I fucked her hard and fast, I reached under and rubbed her clitoris.
That drove her even wilder. She pushed back as I plunged in.
I thought about football, furthering my career, and loving her until it wasn’t possible anymore. All I could focus on was my cock sliding into her tight, wet pussy.
We had met in a strip club, but she had turned out to be so much more than a simple exotic dancer. She was the woman who would bear me children.
She came, her pussy tightening around my cock as I continued thrusting in and out.
“Come for me, baby,” she moaned between labored breaths.
I grabbed her ass cheeks, pounding into that pussy.
My balls shrunk as I approached my own orgasm.
As I glanced down at my cock slipping in and out of her, I fell over the edge, almost passing out as I exploded, filling the condom with my hot cum.
One of these days, it would end up inside her, and we’d start our family.
I pulled out, still breathing heavy. She stood and turned, eyes open wide.
“How can it keep getting better?”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
She stepped forward and pressed her body against mine, kissing me.
“Take a shower with me?” I offered.
She nodded. Naked, we headed toward the master bath.
At the top of the stairs, she stopped.
“What are we going to do about the wedding?”
I tilted my head to the side.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you still want to get married? We’re still short on money.”
“Of course I want to get married.”
I kissed her.
“But how are we going to pay for it?”
“I’m sure Coach will make sure I get a bonus after everything I went through.”
“We can have a small wedding. I don’t care as long as you’re my husband afterward.”
“Like I said, I’ll have more money coming in now that I’m back on the team.”
“Yeah, but that’s not going to last forever. I mean, you can only play a few more years.”
“Are you saying I’m getting old?” I teased.
FORTY-TWO
Tony
Two Weeks Later
At half-time, I ran to the side of the field where she sat in the stands.
She leaned over the rail, smiling down at me. I took off my helmet and dropped it to the ground. The crowd cheered me on as I jumped up and grabbed the railing.
Heidi smiled as I climbed up. She pointed to the jumbo-tron screen. A camera had us both in focus as I slipped my arms around her waist and pulled her body closer.
We kissed, sending the cheering fans into a frenzy. After the kiss ended, I leaned over and whispered into her ear, “I’ve got to go, but I’m winning this game for you.”
I pulled back. She smiled. The fans went wild again as I climbed down to the field and ran over to my teammates who were heading for the locker room.
The score was tied at fourteen each, but with the advantage of being in our own stadium, I was sure we’d come out ahead by the end of the game.
Half-time went by quickly. When I returned to the field, I played better than I had ever before in my career. The new players meshed perfectly with the team.
With Harris gone, we had all come together to give it our all and go all the way for Coach. The way we were playing the opening game, I had no doubts we’d win.
* * *
As soon as the game finished – with us seven points ahead of the Pittsburgh Mountaineers – I headed to the locker room. The rest of the team were going crazy with the win.
While it was a good feeling, all I could think about was getting showered, dressed, and going to see Heidi. Our wedding would take place in the spring, after the season ended.
She had come into my life unexpectedly, but the chemistry between us from that very first moment had only intensified the more time we spent together.
I loved fucking her brains out every chance we got, but our relationship was so much more than simply sexual in nature. She had my back, and I had hers.
After cleaning up and congratulating the rest of the team, I rushed out of the locker room. Heidi stood leaning against one of the cement block walls.
She walked over with a smile on her face, stopping in front of me. I held her tightly, staring into those amazing eyes of hers. They captivated me.
“You ready to go home?” I asked.
“Our home?”
I nodded my head.
“Our home. I like the sound of that.”
“Me too. It’ll be good for our family.”
“We’re going to be okay,” she said.
“Hey, isn’t that my line?”
I grinned, loving her even more.
On the way out of the stadium, her phone rang.
“Hello, this is Heidi,” she answered.
She stopped, her eyes opening wide.
“Okay. That’s great. No problem. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Who was that?”
“Mr. James.” She smiled. “They caught him.”
“Nowski? Really?”
She nodded, radiating joy.
“That’s good, but…”
“And they found his hidden money,” she said. “We’re not going to get all our money back, but it looks like we might have a better honeymoon next year.”
“If you’re my wife, I don’t care where we go for the honeymoon.”
“We’re going to Hawaii,” she said confidently.
“Oh yeah?” I chuckled.
She nodded. I put my arm around her.
Together, we walked out to my car.
FORTY-THREE
Heidi
Two Years Later
After our wedding, Tony quit football to spend more time with me. Our twin boys, Charles and Little Tony, were born about a year later.
I watched him from the doorway as he tucked them into their cribs. At just a month old, they still needed most of our attention.
He walked over and whispered, “They’re finally asleep.”
“They’ll be up in a few.”
“Don’t talk that way,” he said.
I smiled. We walked downstairs to the living room where we had the baby monitor set up. The money we’d gotten back from Trust Funds Financial Group had allowed us to start our own company.
Fast Play Sports Apps took up most of our time, but I loved working next to Tony every day. We were about to hit a million downloads of our most popular app, Sports Timers.
The simple stopwatch app with his name attached had made us millions of dollars already. Our business future together was bright, but it was the personal side that mattered most.
“Want to watch our episode?” I asked as I sat down on the couch.
He plopped down next to me, picking up the remote control.
“Sure.”
I scooted over and curled up against him as he found the show and started it.
Stacy Keach, the narrator of American Greed, said our names.
A photo of Tony in his uniform flashed on the screen.
I held him tighter as Keach went on to explain our case was one of the only ones where ninety-percent of the money stolen had been returned.
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“We got lucky,” Tony noted.
“We sure did.”
I wasn’t talking about the money.
FORTY-FOUR
Tony
Epilogue
Money never made either of us happy even if we had plenty of it. The true joy in our lives came from the family we built together. My sister and parents accepted her with open arms.
And we had a family of our own, two boys and two girls, all two years apart. Every day spent with them made up for all the bad that had happened in my life. Heidi was the icing.
She loved me as deeply as I loved her. Maybe more. I gave up trying to figure it out. Math didn’t matter when you were truly in love. It went beyond equations and variables.
I stepped to the sliding glass door in the kitchen and looked outside. The children were playing in the pool. Heidi sat in a recliner watching them. Everyone looked happy.
After opening the door, I walked outside and sat down in the lounge chair next to hers. She put her hand to her forehead to shield her eyes from the sun as she looked at me.
“Hey, beautiful,” I said.
She smiled.
“Little Tony made the football team.”
“Surprise, surprise. We should go out and celebrate tonight.”
“That’s a good idea.” She took a deep breath. “We’ve come so far since that night.”
“What night?”
“The night you walked into the club.”
“I almost didn’t go that night.”
“You never told me that before.”
I nodded, staring into her eyes.
“Harris talked me into it.”
“Too bad all that happened with him.”
“Screw him,” I said.
“Daddy said a bad word!” Little Tony shouted, pointing at me.
I smiled and stood, stretching out my arms toward him.
“Aargh, the water monster is hungry.”
“Nooo,” he cried out then jumped into the pool.
I sat back down, watching Heidi watch our children.
All of them were so damn smart and well-behaved. My dreams had all come true.
