First and Ten

by Michel Prince

  “It’s my house. Daddy said so.”

  “He would know. He told me all about you. Said the second he heard who you were he started painting that cool room for you. I bet there are clothes that you’re too big for in there.”

  “Yeah,” DeMonte said and peeked his left eye around the corner and Dani saw a pillow case gripped tight in his hand.

  “What’s in the bag?” she asked and turned so they were facing each other.

  “Dis is mine too.”

  “You got a picture of your dad in there?” DeMonte looked down at his fist that held his pillowcase. “Because I have one,” Dani offered and found the picture Rome had sent her of him with DeMonte. “It’s a pretty good one.”

  DeMonte lifted the bag of treasures and walked over to Dani. Taking her phone in his tiny hands, he stared at the screen with a smile almost as big as the one he had in the picture.

  “How about this?” Dani suggested. “You and I go back downstairs so your nana can figure out where your daddy is because I need to meet up with him. See, I’m supposed to be at a party right now and my mommy is going to be mad at me if I don’t get there soon.” DeMonte’s eyes were back to being big and lost. “You can keep that until I leave. I’ll even send it to your nana since she’s staying in your house.”

  DeMonte nodded his head and Dani carried the pillowcase with toys, clothes, and a book down to the second level.

  “How did you know?” Annette asked.

  “I look like a social worker.” Acknowledgement crossed Annette’s face. “My first neighborhood wasn’t the best. If we saw a woman dressed like I am they were either an attorney or social worker. Either would send my friends running to their best hiding places.”

  “You said something about a party to DeMonte,” she said.

  “I graduated today. My parents have a huge party being thrown.” Dani looked over at DeMonte who didn’t trust her fully, but had calmed down a bit. “I’m sure my mother is pretending I’m on the other side of the party tent when people ask her where I am right now. Socially unacceptable me being here, I just hoped Rome would be here.”

  “He was going to a party,” she pointed out. “Could it be yours?”

  “Not after what my father did at graduation,” Dani confessed. “He was very rude to Rome.”

  “Funny, my son makes millions, believes in Jesus, and is still looked down on.”

  “My dad doesn’t do well with change and is fiercely protective of his family. Candace gave him an in. That was the crack in Rome’s armor.”

  “You’re the one she was stalking.”

  “I wouldn’t say she was stalking me, but she doesn’t like me that’s for sure.”

  Annette looked over at DeMonte to make sure he was enthralled with a cartoon on the TV. “She has a mild form of schizophrenia. From what Rome said she thinks you bought him. In her apartment there were pictures of you everywhere.”

  “What?”

  “It’s not custody and tabloids he’s been dealing with,” she said. “Locking her up, trying to get the woman help, and paying for it. Do you know how much it costs? Her doctor even suggested Rome marry her crazy butt so she could be on his insurance.”

  Dani’s head spun as she tried to comprehend what was being said. Rome marrying Candace? No, she just said it was suggested.

  “That woman will bankrupt him one way or another. At least the lawyers are sure he’ll be getting full custody. Family is all that matters.”

  DeMonte walked over to Dani and put his hand on hers. “You’re pretty.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you play catch?”

  “Can you explain to me something?” Rome asked Esme who was ordering another round at the bar. “Why does Bonnie keep waving across the party to no one?”

  “She’s saying Dani’s over there. I have a feeling Dani’s a no show.” Esme passed him a tumbler of gin and tonic. “Not that I’m surprised. Dani hates this kind of stuff.”

  “When I was asked, Dani said it was an intimate gathering of friends.”

  “If by intimate you mean all of her father’s associates that she could give a flying—”

  “Rome,” Dalton called and slapped Rome on the back. “I should have known you’d be here.” Esme scanned Dalton who had Matt Bishop and Beaumont Guthry next to him. “Where’s the girl of the hour?”

  “MIA,” Rome replied.

  “I may not be the girl of the hour,” Esme said as she stood between the three guys. “But I’ve been known to make a man think a minute.”

  Rome shook his head and looked across the tent. Dani was standing next to the French door where people were trickling through. A few people realized she was there and gave her a congratulatory hug, but she seemed petrified. Rome enjoyed the moment since she’d been nothing but in control since the moment he met her. He scanned the tent to see if her parents noticed she’d finally arrived, but they seemed oblivious. Taking it as a sign, Rome bee lined to her and captured her in his arms before she had a moment to react. Her body molded to his with a warmth that she couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. He didn’t stop, instead he kept walking through her home and around the velvet ropes to the kitchen where the wait staff halted.

  “It’s okay,” Dani said. “It’s my party.” She cut her eyes to a door on the side of the kitchen and Rome took the hint.

  “Is this your bunker?” he joked, taking in the pantry before cradling her head in his hands. “I missed you.”

  “Am I supposed to believe you?” she asked. Her head tilted to the side, but she brushed her cheek against the palm of his hand. The softness of her cheek had him hardening.

  Taking the challenge, he leaned down and claimed her lips. A deep moan vibrated through her and once again he had her body pinned to a wall. With a swipe of her tongue to his lips, he opened and let himself fall into her. Exposing himself in a way that caused him to tremble. Even though it had only been a few weeks since he last touched her, the embrace had the same rush it had the first time he touched her. His left hand glided down her arm and rested on the soft curve of her hip.

  “I love you,” he breathed against her lips before he crushed his to hers. Dani’s hands snaked from around his neck to his chest and he felt her pushing him back. Afraid, he opened his eyes to see her flush and eyes wide.

  “What did you say?” she gasped.

  “I love you, Danika Albright.” He rested his forehead on hers. “I knew something had been missing from my life, when I wasn’t allowed to even call you I discovered what it was.”

  “What do you mean you weren’t allowed?”

  “Your dad said—”

  “I don’t care what he said. You should have called me.”

  Rome pulled away and leaned against the pantry door. “You wouldn’t want to be around me the last few weeks. Most of the time I was in mini-camp then… I didn’t realize how bad Candace was. I thought she was just a regular ratchet ho.”

  “Your mom told me.”

  “You met my mom?” Rome tried to process the implications of Dani and his mother speaking. He had been prepared to introduce them, but not have her randomly show up at his home.

  “And DeMonte.”

  Rome’s heart stopped. His interactions had been limited to Rome and his two grandmothers since he took custody. “How was he?”

  “Scared, then uncertain, I left after playing catch with him in your backyard.” Dani crossed the small space between them and placed one hand on the center of his chest and the other on his belt. Rome returned the touch by resting both of his hands on her hips. “He thinks I’m pretty.”

  “Speed boys do,” Rome teased, then leaned down to claim her lips again. They got lost in the moment and his fingers latched on to Dani’s thighs wanting to inch her skirt up her ass, but he halted. “Fuck, woman,” he moaned. It was going too fast, too quick, they were out of control feeling on each other. “This is so not good.”

  “It feels good to me,” she breathed while her
hand tugged on his pants. Rome came off balance and fell back as the door opened and he couldn’t recover fast enough. Instead, the two of them were splayed on the kitchen floor with Dani’s hand locked around his belt and the only thing covering her ass was his hands since they had slid up her thighs.

  “That’s why I said it wasn’t good,” he said unsure if he should pull her skirt down or leave his hand to cover her bare ass. “When have we not been interrupted?”

  “Birdie,” her mother said as Dani shifted to sit between Rome’s legs. “Your father wants to make a speech. It would be nice if you joined the rest of the party.” She then held up her hand. “If that clicking sound I’m hearing is recording in anyway my daughter and her friend I can guarantee you our lawyers will find you faster than you can cash the check you might get for selling it.”

  The noise Rome hadn’t noticed until Bonnie said something silenced for a moment, then the catering staff went back to their work. Rome sat up and wrapped his arms around Danika. She laughed into his shoulder and he joined in, what else could they do but hold each other and laugh. He may never get laid again, but he knew he’d always be happy and whole with Dani by his side.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “She does exist, ladies and gentlemen,” Dani’s father said as she walked into the tent. He was standing proudly on the stage with the band behind him.

  “I do,” she called back before giving Rome’s hand a squeeze and heading up on stage. “I’m sorry I was late.”

  “Fashionably as always,” her father said into the microphone. “Well, before you arrived we were talking about you.”

  “Of course you were.” Dani gave her father a nervous smile. At this point, she didn’t know which dad would be up there, the public world killer or the man who’d raised her.

  “All good,” he assured and put his arm around her shoulders. “I told them that earlier today my daughter proved to me she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She had not only grown up, but grown into so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Danika has earned a degree as you all know by the small gathering my beautiful wife Bonnie put together.”

  Laughter rolled through the crowd of what Dani could only estimate was getting close to a thousand people. A typical Bonnie Albright soiree. Dani found her brother smirking at her for releasing the Kraken.

  “There’s a stereotype when it comes to middle children,” her father continued and took his arm from around her shoulders. “They are the forgotten, abandoned, and otherwise overlooked. Dani wishes that was the case I’m sure. I pushed her the only way I knew how. I’m the toss the kid in the water to make them swim type of guy. I just never knew she wouldn’t swim back to shore. Instead, Danika wanted to see what was on the other side of the lake. In the audience right now are probably twenty fortune five-hundred CEOs itching to get you in an executive seat.”

  Dani felt the heat flushing to her face. “Dad.”

  “It’s true. Lord knows she’d be a great addition to any business. Any chance you’d come to work for me?” he asked and Dani could hear the sincerity.

  “I…um… I never…”

  “This is what happens when you toss them in, they learn to swim. Sometimes better than you. Don’t worry, I’m sure a few of your classmates would be happy to take that position. I’m getting sappy now and well, I can’t have that. I just wanted my daughter to know whatever she does will be a success and your mother and I have a little present for you.”

  Her father passed her an envelope. When she opened it, on the very top of the page was a note that said tell everyone I got you a new car. “I guess my dad really wants to get rid of me, he bought me a new car that can go farther than into the city and back.” The crowd cheered and laughed again. “Thank you all for coming, and please enjoy the party.”

  Dani walked to the edge of the stage still reading the full note.

  Danika, I always knew you would accomplish everything you set out to do. The obstacles I placed in your way were to let you know no matter what happened you could always make a way. Money is fleeting, drive is internal. Do not tell your brother because he hasn’t passed the test yet. You have a trust, you all do. Dani looked up and saw her sister smirking at her. There is more than enough for a few lifetimes. Don’t be like me. Live the life you want, how you want, and with whom you want. I’ll always be proud of you and your accomplishments speak for themselves. Love always, Dad.

  Wiping away a tear, Dani stepped down off the stage and found Rome in the far corner beaming at her. He was hers, a hundred percent. The rest would work itself out. No longer was she going to let her personal life be slaved to a spreadsheet. She would live it and live it well with Jerome, DeMonte, and whoever else would come into their lives. Together they could do anything. They were a team and this was just the first snap.

  Three Months Later...

  “As we kick off the regular season, Jim, how do you see the Grizzlies fairing against the Marauders?” Pat Tubman asked his co-anchor.

  Dani walked out of the living room to get more game day treats. The house was full with DeMonte the center of attention. For having to skip the first three years, her mother seemed okay with the grandkid she’d inherited after Rome asked Dani to marry him at the Fourth of July blow out at their home. She still wanted one she could snuggle with as a baby, but she was happy to wait a little bit longer. Besides, she had a wedding to plan. It wouldn’t be until February, but thanks to Dani’s mother, planning wasn’t a distraction for Rome.

  “Can you help me carry these platters?” Dani asked Candace. Dani still wasn’t comfortable with her in the house, but as long as her mother was here and she was medicated, they seemed to be fine for a few hours. It meant so much to DeMonte, who had started calling Dani mommy, just not during Candace’s scheduled visitation time.

  Candace reached for the meat and cheese tray and Dani could see the unease in her face. “Thank you for having me over,” she said and Dani placed her hand over Candi’s. “And for getting DeMonte into that school. My mom said it is really good.”

  “He’s a smart kid and it’s only half days right now.”

  “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused.” Candi walked toward the living room with Dani beside her carrying a tray of veggie wraps. “It wasn’t Rome I was after or at least I don’t think it was.”

  “Really?” Dani questioned. The motives seemed pretty clear to her.

  “I loved him once, I remember that.” Candace sat in a chair and Dani took a spot next to her on the couch.

  DeMonte was laying on his belly with a pillow under him and his feet kicked lazily in the air. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to copy his father or not, but DeMonte rarely watched any other player but Rome.

  “It’s hard to know what I was thinking,” Candace said and Dani came away from her own thoughts. “Sifting through stuff, I only cared about DeMonte. How has he been?”

  “Great,” Dani fibbed a bit. He still would wander into their bedroom a few times a week. Rome would let him crawl between the two of them, but usually snuck him back into his own room when he’d passed back out. Then they would have to be quiet as snuggling led to making love. “DeMonte is a special child. I feel blessed having him in my life.”

  “Do you really?” the tone Candace used had her mother stiffening next to Dani. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… You’re not trying to steal him.” This time Dani wasn’t sure she was actually talking to her because it was spoken softly. Candi’s fingers tapped her thumb in order from index to pinky and back again. “Three…two…one. I need to leave.”

  Dani wanted to tell her it was okay, but when Mrs. Powell got up there was no question this was Candace taking ownership of her disease. Rome had spoken of it. When she got overwhelmed or had crossed wires telling her different things, she took a step back. Dani envied the strength of self Candi had. If she didn’t have the disease destroying her mind, she would have been a force in this world.

  DeMonte looked over his shoulder and saw his mother w
as leaving so he got up and gave her a quick hug before going back to the pillow. Mrs. Powell may come back after she returned Candace to the group home. Either way, Dani could see the excitement in her own mother’s face because she could spend the afternoon wedding planning.

  “When will Daddy be home?” DeMonte asked after the game was over. He had cuddled up on Dani’s lap. “Minnesota isn’t that far away. He’s gotta shower because he is really stinky right now.”

  DeMonte let out a loud laugh.

  “Then they have to go to the airport.”

  “Is he on the Grizzly plane?” DeMonte asked with his eyes wide.

  “Yes he is,” Dani said. “We could have been on a plane too you know.”

  DeMonte wasn’t ready to travel. It brought back his anxiety. Going to the school had been a nightmare for the first week until he trusted Dani or Rome would be there to pick him up every day. They hoped by the first home game next Sunday he’d be willing to travel into the city further. Unlike at her parents’ home, Danika didn’t feel trapped snuggling in each evening and her clients enjoyed meeting on the third floor of the home with her.

  “I like watching on TV because they show Daddy over and over.”

  “Replays are pretty cool,” Dani said. “Now, what are we going to do until Daddy gets home?”

  “More football.”

  Rome made it home right after DeMonte finished his bath. He was putting on his pajamas when Rome came through the front door. Dani smiled down at him from the top of the staircase. “Story time, Daddy,” she said.

  “You make that sound dirty.” Exhaustion faded from his face with each step he took until he took her in his arms and gave her the kiss she’d been missing since he’d been on lockdown on Thursday. She didn’t know how the wives did it and probably wouldn’t learn anytime soon. Her priority would have to be home right now. “I missed you.”

  She’d tell him about the day later. Now she turned him toward DeMonte’s room and she headed to theirs. She heard a howl of excitement from DeMonte and she knew she had a good ten minutes to get ready for Rome. Letting her hair down, she climbed into the shower. The warmth of the water washed over her and soon she had strong arms wrapped around her. Rome swept her hair free from her neck as he began to nibble. His firm body melded to hers and they stood under the spray with nothing between the two of them. Even the water flowed over, but never between.