Defenseless Hearts (Fumbled Futures #2)

by Meagan Brandy

“There’s a Monroe in my bed, and it’s not the one I’m fuckin’.”

“Get over it. She got dicked, dick delivered its dick spit, and now, little dicky deserves dinner.”

“You’re not mine, Kens,” I gently tell her, pain I didn’t mean to show clear as day. “And that’s a problem for me.”

Lolli licks the syrup and starts on another bite when the door flies open, and voices flow through the house. My forehead creases along with theirs because I wasn’t expecting multiple people. “What the fuck—” Lolli starts but squeals when Nate comes around the corner. Pressure builds on my chest while I watch him ignore everyone around us as he makes his way to her, and her eyes track him just the same. She shifts to stand right as he bends to scoop her up, squeezing her tight against him. She laughs into his neck as he laughs into her hair before she pulls back and looks to him. It’s only for a second, hardly a glance, but I feel the I love you that neither has spoken but both communicate in that moment.

I glance at Nate, finding him and Lolli in their own world. He’s maneuvered himself, so he’s behind her, and she sits between his legs. One of his arms is on the outside of hers, caging her into him, as he eats around her with the other. Every few seconds, he runs his hand down her arm, brushes her fingers, whispers in her ear, something. Every single time, she smiles even though he can’t see it. But he knows because, after she does, he smirks to himself. They are completely and utterly entwined.

It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. It reminds me of my parents and the love they share. But, watching my brother and his fiancé, you can’t simply see it. You’re forced to feel it. What it’s like to be consumed and to consume.

She is, without a doubt, everything I could ever want. Kind and gentle but spunky with a splash of sass. She smiles with her heart and hurts with all she is. She’s more than I ever knew a person could be. She’s the light I’ve never known but now crave.

Kalani is Lolli’s real name, but only Nate and her aunt call her that; it’s their thing.

“We all have hard days, Kens. We all have weak moments, but you have to find your strength and reach for it.”

“Fourth down, five seconds on the clock. Offense is down by a touchdown. No choice but to go for a pass. What’s the safety gonna do?”

Smiling, I look to her, but she’s still watching after them, tears in her eyes from laughing, smile marks I haven’t seen in a long time shining at me. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Sometimes, in order to win, we do things we don’t always agree with. Things we think are wrong. But, Hero, a good defense can only do so much against a solid offense. If you’ve only got one play left in you, give it all you’ve got. He doesn’t deserve your respect.”

“Baby, get your ass off another man’s bed and back in the one I’m lying naked in.”

A bitter laugh leaves him, and he scrubs a hand down his face. “If you cared about me even a little bit, which I know you do, then you’d be happy Lolli showed up when she did.” I fight the urge not to cry and fold my arms over my chest, pinching the insides of my arms to keep my face straight. “And why is that?” “Because she saved me, helped fix all the things you broke in me. She made me believe I was enough, that the things that had happened in my life were beyond my control. Bad happened to me, yes, but not because of who I was or wasn’t. Meeting her, growing close to her, might very well be the best thing that has ever happened to me. She gave me hope without trying. Because that’s who she is. I have a piece of her, just like she does me, and I’ll forever be grateful for her. And, yes, Kenra, since you wanna hear me say it so damn bad … I do love Lolli.”

“Look, I don’t know what the fuck is going on with you and my sister—heavy shit apparently—but you guys need to figure it out and quick. She won’t stay forever, and I won’t have either of you making Kalani uncomfortable with the bullshit tension Kenra’s trying to create.” He eyes me. “I love my sister, but she’s not acting right. This is your home just as much as it is Kalani’s. If Kenra keeps this shit up, you’ll need to be the one to tell her to go.” He looks off before sighing and glancing back. “We can’t help her if she doesn’t wanna be helped, man. But we can’t let her come in here and fuck up the good thing we’ve all got going, sister or not.”

Still so far gone on the girl who cries on the inside and smiles on the out. I’m convinced I’m the only one who can bring her back to being her. And I will. Because I’m her safety. And I’ll be her defense, protect her from anyone who gets in her—in our—zone even if I have to protect her from herself. I don’t care what happens today, tomorrow, next fucking month. In the end, it’s her and me. It has to be.

My scars. She’s seen them. Heat makes its way up my chest and neck, embarrassment and shame taking over. “That boy is something special,” she whispers. “That was a beautiful thing he did, shielding you and your family like that.” My eyes fly to hers, and she gives a small smile. “What are you talking about?” She points to my arms. “The wraps,” she whispers. “I put them on myself. It’s not something we would have considered, not even something that we’d have thought about in that manner, but the second your family was informed they’d be able to see you … that boy asked us to cover them for you. He said your parents didn’t know, and he wanted to make it easier for all of you since so much had happened already.” “Blue eyes?” I whisper. The woman grins. “Like no blue I’ve ever seen,” she teases with a whimsical sigh. We both laugh lightly.

“We tried real hard to teach our kids to be the same. To love with everything they had and fight for all the things they wanted—love especially because, if you have someone to love, someone who loves you just as much, together, you can handle anything that comes your way.”

Lolli starts to laugh. She spins to me then and slowly hands me the forms. Right there, mid-page, in bold-ass print, it shows the bill of ownership. Fifty percent belongs to Kalani Lee Embers. Fifty percent belongs to Parker James Baylor.

“What the asshole didn’t plan on was his wife, who he forced to marry him, turning around and giving it all away, and all before he had time to stop it. See, when he married her, he did so with no prenuptial agreement, making everything he had equally hers. Well, he forgot to carve her out of his one and final play, the only up he had left on her. She called me from the hospital, tracked me down herself with the little bit of information you shared with her on your trip to San Francisco. It was a few days before he served her divorce papers when she asked me to look over some things for her. “I didn’t know what I was looking for until she gave me that last file and told me to transfer ownership. I couldn’t say anything until I was absolutely certain he couldn’t somehow overturn her move. I just got the final word today. It’s done. The team belongs to the two of you, end of story.” I swallow past the block in my throat, my eyes shifting between his. My voice comes out scratchier than I would like. “Kenra did this?” He nods, standing tall and proud. Licking my lips, I look off, bringing my hand up to cover my mouth as I squeeze my eyes shut. Kenra did this. She fought him back, pushed his hand with her own tiny one. And she won.

“But your family … this is your connection to them, and I almost cost you it all. I put it all at risk.” Lolli shakes her head, lowering her hands to grab ahold of mine. “Football is my connection. Photos are my connection. I’d still be owner; they couldn’t force me to sell, no matter how hard they tried. I’d still have been at every game I could. Embers Elite photography would still have been mine. And you’d still have been with me.” I stare at her. “That’s what you would want?” “You’re my family, Parker,” she whispers, tears filling her blue eyes as she squeezes my hands, letting me know she’s got me. “And, now … you’re her hero.”

“Parker …” He pulls back, his hands moving to grip my waist. “Me and you. Fuck the world here. You try to go, and I’ll drag your ass back. Don’t care where or why. No excuses or reasons will cut it. Not a fucking thing, no fucking more.” He pops a blond brow, making me grin. “I’ve got no more plays. I’m all out of defense here. Gotta keep you now.”

“Didn’t you know, Mr. Baylor?” I lick his lips, and he groans, trying to catch my lips, but I pull back. “When it comes to each other, our hearts are defenseless. No way out. No others in.” “No way out,” he repeats in a cemented tone.

“For real, we’ll be back as often as possible. Especially with this little man there. So, don’t touch my swing.” She playfully narrows her eyes, and I smile softly at her. “This place is still our home, yours and mine; we just have our own front doors now.” “It’s okay,” I assure her. “I see you feeling guilty, and you don’t need to. This feels right.” She exhales with a smile. “It does.” Her blue eyes bounce between mine. “I love you, Hero.” “I love you, too, Lolli Bear.”

“That baby looks good on you,” Kenra teases. Lolli shrugs. “Come here, gorgeous.” Nate holds a hand out. “And bring that baby with you.” Lolli giggles and bends to kiss his little head. “You, Deaton Baylor, will be the most loved little dude ever.” My heart both hurts and swells in pride when Lolli says his name.