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DAVINA

Deke took off the following morning to return to Atlanta.

He had conditioning and therapy, then film sessions, and prior to even visiting me, he said his time would be very slim and apologized for his upcoming absence.

I don’t even know why he bothered apologizing. I knew he’d be busy and was okay with that. I most likely wasn’t going to see him again until Thanksgiving, but that was fine. After what he’d told me, I was looking forward to going with him.

I couldn’t imagine how he felt knowing he had to face a man who abused him—a man who was supposed to protect and love him but had done the complete opposite.

Regardless, Deke stayed himself. There was one day when I got home and saw a package at the door. It was made out to me but had no return address. I carried it into the house, opened it, and found a voucher for four tickets to an Atlanta Ravens game in December as well as a brand-new pair of noise-canceling headphones.

There was also a handwritten note inside:

Davina,

Tell Abe I’m looking forward to meeting him. Make sure you bring the whole family.

See you courtside, D-Baby.

Deke

I knew he had an away game that night, so I eagerly waited for him to call me when he was home. It wasn’t until the next morning that he called me via FaceTime before heading to an event, and by then I couldn’t contain myself.

“Deke, I got the headphones! You didn’t have to do this! Abe is going to lose his mind!”

Deke chuckled on the other end. “I told you I’d figure something out.”

“That was so thoughtful. But are you sure you want to meet my mom? She literally has no filter.”

“Hell yeah, I want to meet the woman who birthed the love of my life. Besides, I’ve dealt with enough people to handle someone without a filter. Trust me.”

“Okay.” I laughed. “Only if you’re sure.”

Deke studied the screen. “You look sexy right now.”

I busted out laughing. “Please. I haven’t even changed into my work clothes yet.” I had on a baggy Purple Rain T-shirt, and my hair was still tucked into a bonnet.

“Yeah. You’re natural. That’s what makes you sexy. Let me get a full view.”

“Deke,” I laughed.

“Come on, D. Show me what I’m missing.”

I sank my teeth into my bottom lip. I couldn’t believe I was even considering it, but I missed him, and honestly it’d been a while since I had a thrill like this. I propped the phone up on an oatmeal box and stepped back.

“Damn, girl!” He whistled. “Turn around and let me see the back.”

I laughed, spinning around.

“Yeah,” he said. “You’re lucky I’m not there. I’d be bending you over that counter right now.”

At that, I busted out laughing.

He cracked a smile. “I’m walking up to the building now, but I’ll call you when I get a free moment, ’kay?”

“Okay.”

“I love you, D.”

“I love you, too, Bishop.”