Page 74 of Who's Loving You

“Wake the fuck up, Loving. You’re screwing up every play.” Bash slams his big paw into my helmet, driving it into my shoulders and ringing my bell like only a man the size of a giant can do.

“Fuck, Bash. You’re going to give me a damn concussion.” I shake my head out, unscrewing my helmet for where he drilled it. “I’m just having one those days, okay. Haven’t you ever been off?”

He smirks from beneath his helmet. “Yup. But the only thing that has ever had me off my game is a woman.”

My heart pounds rapidly and I clench my jaw. I wantto argue with him but it’s the truth. I have never been off my game because of a girl. An injury? Yes. A hangover? Yes. A woman? Never in my life. I don’t know what this truly means, but I’m sure my dad would tell me it’s because I found one who can make my life better and that is the kind of woman you hold on to with both hands.

The whistle blows, breaking me from my thoughts and ending practice. I hurry off the field and into the showers. I need to talk to someone who can understand what it feels like to be fucked up by a woman.

Nick Soba. The Diva and as of late, a lovesick fool.

Guess it’s time for me to join the club

When I throw my bag over my shoulder as I walk out of the locker room, I hear my name shouted, echoing down the corridor.

“Loving! Get in here.” Waggers voice booms and a couple of the guys nearby reply with a “ooooo”.

I walk into his office, my head hung low and my imaginary tail between my legs.

“Yes sir?” I step forward slowly and put my hand on the back of a chair, ready to take a seat.

His face looks gruff, his brows pulled as tight as his mouth. “Don’t sit. This will be quick.” I pull my hand back and glue it to my side like a good little soldier. “Just want to say that I’m proud of your progress, on and off the field.”

He looks up at me from beneath his bifocals as I stand silent.

“Th-thank you.” I fidget in my place, not really sure what to do.

I think Waggers waits for some type of smartass response and when it doesn’t come, he says, “That’s it. Get out of here.”

I nod and quickly rush out of his office and stadium to my car where I immediately call Soba.

“Diva!” I shout when he picks up.

“It’s the Love Machine. To what do I owe the pleasure, sir?”

I throw my car into drive and fly out of the parking lot, headed home. “It’s about a girl.”

“Oooh boy. Little Nico has fallen for a girl. The king has taken a tumble, ladies and gentlemen.” I can practically hear the goddamn smile on his face.

“Yeah yeah yeah. Will you quit being an asshole? I’ve got a real question.”

He clears his throat and the sarcasm in his voice fades…slightly. “Okay. I’ll be serious. Throw it at me.”

With a deep breath I ask, “What do I do with a girlfriend? Is there like…stuff I should do or shouldn’t do? This is a new thing for me so like, she’s older. Does that mean she won’t like certain stuff…sexually?”

“Well, the first piece of advice is to quit talking like a dumbass. Are you for real? Calling her older and insinuating she won’t or can’t do things because of her age is a great way to stamp your passport on a one-way trip to Lonely Land.”

I get looks from women who are stopped at the light next to me, but I quickly avert my attention. Very unlike what I would’ve done just two short months ago.

“It’s pretty easy to be a good boyfriend. You have to try really hard to fuck it up. You first have to start with quitting that damn club.” I swallow and slam my foot on the gas. “That’s not a place for a committed man if that’s what you plan to be for Valentina.”

“Of fucking course! Geez Soba. How big of a scumbag do you think I am? We haven’t hadactualsex,but I know it’s going to happen and for that reason, I really need to get my ass out of that club.”

“Well maybe right now is the best time to do it.Beforeyou go all in with Val. Don’t wait until after and use some bullshit excuse.” I nod silently, absorbing everything my wise friend is saying.

How the fuck did that happen?

We continue to talk until I find myself pulling into the parking lot of a place that I’ll see for the last time.