Page 105 of Only for Me

“Not really bad, just a lot. Most of them are pretty cliquish and I’m too grown for that. Especially the ones who have been around for a long time.”

“I don’t really care about any of that.” That wasn’t a lie. I could take or leave being in that circle, and as of now I could leave it based on the press that would be attached.“You might not care but you’re a part of it now. I’m assuming you’ll be at the games.”

I frowned and nodded. “But just to support Omiri.”

She laughed. “It’s never just about supporting our men. It’s a whole thing. A very big complicated thing, these women are protective of their circle and damn sure not welcoming if they feel like you don’t belong.”

“Hell, I probably don’t belong,” I mused, and she grinned.

“Girl, fuck that and them. Your man is the face of the team. He is the king of the castle. You definitely belong and because of who your man is they’re going to hate extra hard but smile in your face while they do it because disrespecting you would not work in their favor. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”

“Great.”

She laughed again. “Not all of them are like that. Some are pretty chill and I’ll introduce you to them. You’ll be fine. They hate me but they also know I don’t give a fuck about any of them.”

I had a feeling she was going to be a whole mess but she seemed cool. I glanced at Avi then rubbed my temple, feeling a headache creeping in.

The two of us talked for a bit longer with her filling me in on the wives and girlfriends she liked and the ones she didn’t deal with. Shiya was pretty chill and we vibed. I appreciated having at least one ally to help me through this football thing.

“I’m about to head out. I need to figure out what I’m cooking for dinner. No matter how many chefs we try, Dedric claims they all suck. I think he just loves my cooking.” She smiled, reaching for Zaya. “I’m glad I ran into you. We should hang out soon. Let me give you my number.”

She motioned to my phone which was next to me on the bench and I lifted it, unlocked the device, and handed it over. She tapped the screen and handed it back when she was done. “I called myself so I have yours too.”

“Maybe we can meet to bring the girls to the park.”

“That works and you two can come to the house. I think we’re only a few over from you.”

“Oh okay, just let me know.”

“I will.”

My head was throbbing a little more. After they left, I collected Avi’s toys and packed up so we could head back to the house. Avi and I could grab a snack then catch a nap so I could get rid of this headache. Omiri had an interview after practice which meant I wouldn’t see him until later, so Avi and I were on our own for the rest of the night.

“Avi,please work with me. Mommy is really struggling right now.” My little muffin looked at me, smiled big, and pushedaway from me. After our time at the park, we took a nap and I woke up feeling worse. My head was pounding and my body felt achy so I ended up taking medicine, which didn’t help.

I survived the day and at this point all I wanted was to crawl in bed and bury myself under the covers but I had to get through Avi’s bedtime routine first. Omiri was filming a podcast episode of I’ll Drink To That, a sports talk show where players came on and discussed the season while enjoying their favorite drink with the host Klue.

Avi was cranky, which wasn’t usual for her, but today was the wrong day for both of us to be having a moment.

“Come on, muffin. I know you’re tired but we’re almost done. Just let me get you out and get some clothes on you,” I pleaded but she pushed away from me again, moving to the opposite side of the tub. When I finally got my hands on her, she arched away from me, whining.

I wanted to whine too. My body felt weak and my head was pounding. “Shit, Avi, please just work with me.”

“I got her.” The deep rasp behind me loosened something in my chest because it was perfect timing. I sat back on my heels, watching as Omiri stepped around me, yanked his shirt off and tossed it on the counter. He leaned over the tub, reached for Avi, and she went right to him. I felt like shit so I couldn’t even care that she chose her father over me and instead lifted the towel I planned on using and handed it to him.

“She’s been in a mood for the past hour. She cried through her entire bath.”

His brows pinched while he examined me then Avi before draping them both in the towel since she was clinging to his chest.

Traitor…

“What’s good, pretty girl? You giving mommy a hard time today?”

I lifted from the floor and sluggishly walked toward the door with my traitor baby handing Omiri her cheerful baby gibberish and he talked right back to her like they had a whole vibe. They followed me into the bedroom while he dried her off.

“I feel you, pretty girl. Bath time is overrated.”

I sat on the side of the bed and he turned his attention on me. “What’s wrong?”