Page 6

I almost get tackled on the field by Zackery. “Where is your focus, Williams?” Coach Belkis shouts from the side. “Stop snoozing and get your head in the game.” he yells at me.

I have only one thing on my mind right now. Dinner with my sweet Raven.

I hit the showers ready to race home to get ready for dinner. I know it is not a date, it is just a dinner with a friend. But I wouldn’t want her to think that I am shabby, that’s why I am putting in an effort.

“Marcus.” Coach Belkis shouts. “My office. After you’re done.” Great! Just what I needed. I change and head to his office.

I knock on the door.

“Come on in, Marcus.” he says. He is the most difficult man to read. His face stays numb regardless of the news he’s going to give- good or bad.

“We made it to the finals, that’s great. But it’s against Fritz. I know we still have some time but I wanted to discuss some strategies with you.” Fritz University is our biggest rival. And the captain of their team- their middle linebacker Cole James Harriett is my biggest rival. It is funny that we once played for the same team in high school.

The rest is history, but we are rivals and I want to win this game at any cost, not just because of Harriett, but this is my first year being a captain and I really want us to win. The boys deserve this win.

“I have been working on it, coach. I know our offence is great as of now, but I am working on our defence with Daniel. I think we might have a good chance of bringing the title home this year.” I say with confidence.

In the six games I have played against Cole, I could see that his style has changed a lot. He got more aggressive towards me with every game. This time, I want to crush Fritz University.

“Good. We will go over it tomorrow with the team.” I stand up to go just then he calls for me again. “Williams…” he says in a stern voice. “I have high hopes from you. Don’t let me down like Harold did.” The finals are in a few weeks and if our defence improves a bit we might be able to draw the entire match on our side. But it’s Fritz…

Let’s say it’s a 51-49 chance of winning and losing. And since it’s a home game for us, there’s more pressure to win.

“Got it coach.” I say before leaving the office with a weird feeling. I am not falling for anyone and screwing up my chance to be drafted in the NFL.

My father- Micheal Williams is a football legend. I want to walk in his footsteps and make my name in the NFL. I don’t mind when people know me as the great Micheal Williams’ son. But I want my game to be known by my name. Not his.

I head home and text Riya.

I’ll pick you up in an hour.

Sure. I’ll be ready by then. Whereare we going though? So, I’ll dressaccordingly.

It’s a relatively fancy place. That’s all you’re getting from me.

Fine. *eyeroll*

I chuckle as I put the phone down. I love teasing her. Just friends. I remind myself.

◆◆◆

She walks towards my car and I forget how to breathe. Her black dress is hugging her curves in the perfect places and showing just enough cleavage that it keeps me wanting more. I get out and open the door for her.

“You look…” You have to speak Marcus. Words. Any words. She raises her brow at me. “Spectacular.” I finally manage to say and she laughs. Her dark red glossy lipstick would look so good on my neck. Fuck. “You look really beautiful.” I hold her hand and press a soft kiss on her cheek. God she smells so good!

Delicious.

Devourable.

Delicate.

“You look good yourself.” She eyes me from head to toe and then meets my eyes with a similar expression on her face.

I help her get in the car and swoop her dress in and close the door. I spot her anklet around her ankles. The same one with the dancing bells. Fuck. This woman gets me hard just being around her. I take a few deep breaths and head in through the other side.

I drive us off and I can feel her gaze on me the entire time.

“You can just ask me whatever it is.” I finally break the silence and she clears her throat.

“I just…” I can feel that she’s flustered. “You look really good. That’s all.” she presses her purse in between her legs and I wish I was that purse. Pressed between her legs. But why do her compliments make my heart flutter? It boosts my ego to a next level.

“Thank you, Raven.” She smiles in that cute way which makes me think about all the dirty things I want to do to her.

We reach the restaurant in a few more minutes and I park the car. I tell her to wait and go around to open the door for her and offer her a hand to get down.

“So…” she drags on but doesn’t finish.

“So?” I ask her curiously as I lead her to the restaurant.

“I wanted to ask you something, if it’s okay.” she hesitates.

“You can ask me anything. Anything!” I wink at her and she chuckles.

“Why football? I mean, from what I could tell, you looked like you weren’t that bad at coding.” This is probably the first time I have been asked that question.

In all the answers I’ve prepared for all the interviews I’ve had so far, I never told anyone about this one. “My father played football and I want to walk in his footsteps.”

“But then, why computer science? I mean doesn’t it make life more difficult for you? You could’ve chosen any dumb major.” I can’t help but laugh.

We reach inside and the server leads us to our table. I pull a chair for her and take a seat across from her. “My mother taught me coding when I was a kid.” I tell her. And she bursts out laughing.

“When you were a kid? What were you? Bill Gates?” I chuckle myself at the weird comparison.

“I wasn’t Bill Gates, but I wasn’t dumb either.” I smile and she stops laughing. God! I am talking about my mother. I haven’t done that in a long long time.

“My mother was very competitive. So when my dad used to teach me how to throw on weekends, my mother would teach me coding on weekdays. She wanted me to be a better coder than a football player” I smile remembering those days. They would bicker like kids. They were so much in love. Until… my smile immediately fades away.

The silence drags on for just a second longer before she cuts in. “That’s sweet. So, what do you like better? Coding or football?” She raises her eyebrow. “Is it like asking to pick between your mom and dad?” She has absolutely no filter.

I suppress a smile. I don’t think I have ever smiled when talking about my mother, at least not since she passed away. “Coding makes me feel at peace and football pumps up my nerves. So, it depends what mood I’m in.”

“I see…So, your dad taught you how to play?” She keeps her elbow on the table and leans her head on her hand.

“He did.” I smile. “You have no idea who my father is, do you?” I chuckle.

“Messi?” She raises an eyebrow. “Ronaldo? I know it’s not Mbappe. That dude is our age. Almost.”

Until now, every person I have ever met in my life has asked me for my father’s autograph at some point. This woman sitting in front of me is telling me that she has no idea who my father is and still wants to spend time with me makes me feel the proudest.

“Who is it?” she shouts. Frustrated.

“Just some football player. American football.” I correct quickly. By now, I have picked up on her hate for the sport!

“I hate that game.” she rolls her eyes at me.

“Even the players?” I raise my brow and I can see that she is trying not to blush.

“Especially the players.” the corner of her mouth curves up.

“Maybe I can change that.” I adjust my jacket and she chuckles.

“You can try.” she challenges me, giving me that seductive glare.

We talk about random stuff the entire time. She tells me about her family. Her smile fades away when she mentions her sister, and I understand that it is a touchy topic for her. I tell her about my dreams and my father’s dreams for me. I tell her a little about my mother and she smiles in a way that makes my stomach churn with happiness. I have never talked this much ever. Mostly because no one really wanted to get to know me, Not like she does.

“So you’re telling me that you have never heated up ice cream because it was too cold to eat?” she asks me with a serious tone and I am laughing my ass off right now.

“It’s called ‘ice’ cream babe. Not hot cream.” I emphasize on the ice.

She points her finger at me, which again, not something anyone has dared to do before. “Not your babe and you are missing out on life then.” she shrugs as she takes a bite of her dessert.

“Wouldn’t melted ice cream just be a milkshake at that point?”

She nods her head saying no.

“Milkshakes are cold. You’re supposed to heat up the ice cream. You should really try it. It’s a super lazy snack. You don’t have to chew anything.”

“No way.” I exclaim. “You bite into your ice cream? You’re a psychopath!” she bursts out laughing.

“Says the person who sleeps with both feet inside the blanket. It’s a universal rule to always have one leg outside the blanket. You’re the psychopath.” I laugh so much that my stomach aches. And for some reason I don’t feel conscious or embarrassed about the things I share with her. She has a way of making you feel not judged.

I love that this woman has no filter and I love how I don’t have to have a filter when I’m talking to her either.

She yawns big.

“Geez. Sorry for boring you.” I pout and she immediately shakes her head saying no. And another yawn.

“I haven’t been sleeping much these days. And last night I barely got any sleep before work. I’m really tired. Can we leave? Sorry.” she says softly.

“Why are you apologising? We can leave whenever you want. Let me get the cheque and I’ll drop you off.”

“I’ll get it.” She pulls out her card.

“Like I’m letting you pay. No way.”

“But you paid last time.”

“Riya.” I say and she immediately jolts her eyes at me. I like that. “Respectfully. No.”

“But–”

“I asked you out for dinner. End of discussion.” I interrupt her.

“But…” she pouts. “I don’t like it when men pay for me.”

I laugh out loud. “You are probably the first girl I know who has ever said that.”

“It’s true.” she shrugs. “It makes some people. Emphasis on some…” she says. “That I owe them something and I hate that feeling.”

My heart mellows. “You don’t owe me anything, Riya.” her eyes jolt up to meet mine as soon as I call her name. Why does that make my heart flutter? “I asked you for dinner and you said yes. Now please let me be the gentleman I am and get the cheque for you as well.” I genuinely smile at her and she blushes. That’s a first! I love that I can make her smile like that. It boosts my ego even more.

“Fine. Gentleman.” she snorts.

“Ouch, Raven. I have been nothing but a gentleman tonight.” I say adjusting my suit.

“That you have.” she bites her lower lip and that immediately sends blood to my groyne and dirty ideas to my head.

I get the bill and we head out. I help her get in the car and five minutes in, she’s fast asleep.

I pull up in the parking lot of her apartment and just sit there. Studying her breathing pattern. She’s so calm and at peace. She nudges a little and her eyes slowly start to open. And because I don’t want her to think that I am a creep, I increase the volume of the radio and Lover by Taylor Swift starts to play.

“I didn’t know you were a Taylor Swift fan. Don’t most guys hate her or something?” she says in her sleepy voice and it’s so hot.

“I’m not most guys, am I, Raven?” I flash her my signature cocky smile and she chuckles and rubs her eyes.

“Where are we?” she looks around. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” she stretches her arms over her head.

“You were snoring, so I thought that you might need all the sleep you need.” she punches my arm. “Ouch. You sure know how to throw a punch!” It does hurt a little.

“I know I don’t snore. Liar.” that glare turns me on! Shit! I can’t let her see how hard I am right now. “Well… Thanks for tonight. I really had fun. I’ll see you tomorrow then!” She gives me a small smile as her eyelids are droopy and she yawns again.

“Let’s do this again sometime.” I push my luck too far knowing that she’s going to say no.

“Umm…” she hesitates.

I regret these words before they even leave my mouth. “As friends I mean. I had a lot of fun too.”

If I’m not wrong, she almost looks disappointed when I say ‘as friends’. “Sure. Friend.” she says in a sarcastic way. I can’t believe that I friendzoned myself.

“Good night James.” She closes the door and walks away.

“Night…” she’s already walking away. “ Raven. ”