Takeoff (Take, #3)

by Evelyn Sola

“You coming, Chastey?” Wakowski, one of my younger teammates shouts from across the parking lot. He’s with three women, two of them wrapped around

I cross through the parking lot, all the while getting pats on the back by Coach Walsh.

seven feet tall, but since he’s been out of the league, he’s been lifting weights. He doesn’t look like any of the other coaches. He has long, dirty blonde hair that reaches his shoulders, and I know that underneath that custom-made suit, he’s tatted all over.

I peek inside Evan’s bedroom. My five-year-old is in the middle of the bed in his racecar pajamas.

That was my only vice. I don’t drink. I don’t gamble. I don’t even curse. The

I’d known her almost my entire life. She was my best friend when Daddy died, and her entire family supported us. When she got to Manhattan, feelings resurfaced.

The relationship ended when he was accepted into a residency program, and I refused to go to Kentucky with him.

‘Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.’ That was way more than I was expecting, but it always amazes me when scripture is quoted to control women.

“Right. That was before you called me a bitch and an ice queen because I didn’t respond the way you wanted to your ultimatum to upend my life and move to Kentucky.”

Ethan returns, and Tara stops speaking. He’s not alone this time. Next to him is the tallest man I think I’ve ever seen. He must be close to seven feet tall.

I look at her, and I purse my lips in disapproval. She smirks and I smirk back. Message received. I do a small eye roll, determined now more than ever to get away from this guy. Athlete and single father. No and no. Stick a fork in it, it’s done. Tara shrugs. Traitor. “What’s this now?” Colt asks. “What’s what?” I ask him. “That look between the two of you. It’s like you were having a conversation with just your eyes. Like you can read each other’s minds.”

Let’s see. Where was I? I was still in the game despite bein’ an athlete, but then your sister let it drop that I have a son. When you learned that you rolled your eyes, and I was out. Am I on the right track?”

Beautiful, smooth brown skin. She has high cheekbones and lips so full I know I can spend days kissing her. She has a cute little nose and big eyes, surrounded by thick and long eyelashes.

she whispers, “I don’t date athletes. Two, I don’t date men with kids, especially the type of man who’s at the club instead of at home with their child on a Friday night.”

It’s hard to believe that I live in a four thousand square foot Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park.

My son’s life would never be the same, and his sister, Mia, was taken away from him. Her father has custody, but she spends a lot of time with her grandmother and Kelsey’s sister Robin.

He stands behind me, takes the marker from my hand, and traps me between his hard body and the whiteboard.

“I’ll remind you of this conversation when we celebrate your first anniversary.”

“Okay, guys. Let’s give Ms. Taylor the room. I’ll be in the back. We can hang out for a bit after class, but you do your work first.” Everyone is in their seats within seconds, and I turn to today’s lesson.

No! Leave!

When Dante pulls in front of Melba’s restaurant, he jumps out and opens the car door for her.

I love that place!!!!!

I’ve gotten so used to everyone falling at my feet, especially women, that I enjoy her obvious dislike of me.

“Tilly lived next door to us until she was twelve. Tara used to babysit her when she was younger.”

He looks so sexy with that curly dark hair, and those dark eyes make me want to drag him into my bedroom and climb him like the tree he is. “Darlin’,” he says, breaking me out of my dirty thoughts. “I’m right here.”

“Sounds nice. You want to make God laugh? Make plans. That’s what Mama always says.”

I decide to pull the rug out from under her and say, “I like you.”

I put a finger to her chin and discover she has a cleft. I tilt her head up so she can look at me. “Where’d you go?”

“Your curiosity was piqued, but now that you got what you wanted—” She doesn’t finish her statement. I stand and walk behind her. I rest both hands on her shoulders and slowly turn her around. She holds my stare briefly before looking away. “Who hurt you?” I whisper.

“And what else? No white guys from Alabama, right.” I look down, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with him.

“We won’t call it a relationship. Who needs titles? We’re just two people who eat together, make love only with each other and share popcorn while we watch a movie on a Friday night. The fact that you were sprawled on top of me makes no difference.” He takes both of my hands in his and brings them to his lips.

Victoria complicates things, though. Now, I need to figure out a way to get her to Alabama, and somehow, I believe that will be a fight.

I look up in time to see him jump over two rows of seats. He gets to me and Hunter before I can register what he’s doing. He grabs me by the front of the shirt and plants a hard kiss on my lips. It’s over before it even begins. He lets me go, I stumble back, and Hunter catches me.

“Thanks to your wandering lips, they know my name. This is what I told you I didn’t want.

Since we’re both okay, why don’t we finish the fight we were havin’ before you took off.” She cups my jaw and plants kisses all over my face then rests her forehead on mine again and says, “You’re a big fat liar, and I want you out of my life.”

“The other night when you made me snacks and cuddled with me on the couch?” She stares and waits for me to say more, but I remain quiet. “What about it, Chastain? I don’t have all night,” she snaps. “It was everything. Believe it or not, I’ve never had anyone other than Mama”—she sighs at the mention of my mother—“do that for me.”

“You’re right. Tell me you’re mine. Tell me you’ll let me in. Tell me—” “Jesus, are you always this damn dramatic? Okay, fine. Yes, but you better not—” The words are cut off when he kisses me. It’s a gentle but deep and possessive kiss. I kiss him back, savoring the taste and feel of his tongue on mine.

“It’s wet, but warm. It’s sweet like molasses. I want this, darlin’.” He cups my pussy over my jeans. “I’m ready for dessert. Put this on my face.”

“Hot and wet,” he says against the side of my neck. He slowly takes his fingers out and puts them in his mouth. “And sweet. More, Queen. Put it on your man’s face.”

he wants her to go to alabama

“But I’m not from the coast. I want you to meet my—” “I’m not ready for that,” she says, interrupting me. “And I’m going to be late for my last day of school. Let’s talk tonight.”

What I’m tryin’ to say is that I want to build somethin’ with you. This isn’t a fling, and I hate that you’re treatin’ it like that. I thought we had gotten past this the other night, but I guess I wasn’t clear.”

“I’m who I am. I make no apologies for it. I would never want to be anyone other than Victoria Taylor, a black woman from New York City. If your family has any negative thoughts or viewpoints about that, there will be words. I will leave and never return. Do you get what I’m saying?” It’s exactly what I thought.

That’s Alan. Smart, rational, and direct when he’s not being a goofball. Tara puts

“Part of the reason I was reluctant about us was because I didn’t want to compete with your dead wife. I assumed you had this great love and that there’s no way I could ever come close to that.”

“I want to make love to you,” he whispers. He pulls his fingers out, leaving me feeling empty without his touch. He puts those fingers to my lips, and I suck on them greedily. “Are you on birth control?”

“You as well,” I tell him, reluctant to say more given what Evan’s told me.

might fall, but his strong arms would never let that happen. He roars close to my ear, convulsing against me when he finds his release. It seems like his orgasm goes on forever. By the time he sets me on my feet, my legs have turned to rubber, and he grabs my hips, preventing me from falling over. He pulls me into him and wraps his arms around me. “I needed that, darlin’,” he says with his warm lips against my temple.

“I don’t care how right you feel in my arms, or how good you smell. I’m not fallin’ in love with you.” My heart skips a beat, and my mouth falls open. I look away, but he puts a finger underneath my chin and tilts my face back up. “Did you hear me?” he asks. I swallow, unsure of how to respond. It’s been years

“I like having you here. I like having you in my life, Vee.” She goes stiff in my arms. “I know we play around a lot, but I don’t want to play right now. Look at me.” She slowly raises her head. A piece of hair falls and covers her face. I move it away so I can look into her eyes. “I don’t like having you here.”

“This is the last fucking time you will yell at me. And if you don’t want me there, fine. I’ve never needed to beg anyone to spend time with me, and I’m not going to force myself on you.” I don’t yell. I manage to calm my racing heart and speak clearly. “Is that a threat, Victoria?”

“Without talkin’ to me first, Victoria? You accept a job that takes you out of the country for an entire year.” I scoff at his audacity. “Yeah, I did. We’re not married. I can do whatever the hell I want, just like you.”