Page 79 of Who's Loving You

When his body expels his last shivering breath, I open my eyes, blinking the haze away. His face glistens with sweat and an intoxicating scent that’s like a wild animal marking his territory after having his way.

My hands rest on his chest and I feel thethump-thump-thump-thumpof his racing heart. His meaty hands gently graze my neck as he runs the back of his fingers across my cheek the burn hot. I feel shy and a little uncertain. I’m never vulnerable with anyone, most especially a man, but Nico has me pulling a lot of firsts.

“Did you feel that too?” He asks, and I study him with a furrowed brow.

“Feel what?”

“The way our bodies collided, making us one. Theway we flew, side by side, aiming straight for the same peak of nirvana. I never knew it could be like that.”

Chills roll through my body, realizing he has detailed every last feeling I had. From the collision to the flying side by side.

I mirror his hands, swiping away the moisture at his hairline and stroking down his cheek. “I felt it too,” I admit, and kiss him.

How quickly the queen has fallen. The resolve to stay strong even if it meant alone, was easily demolished by prince charming disguised as a jester.

27

NICO

Saint: You nervous, Love Machine?

Me: Nervous for what? The look on your sad face after my D-line rolls over you like a fucking train? Sure. We’ll go with that.

Diva: Ouch. You going to stand there and let him throw darts at you, Papas?

Saint: Eh. Let him talk. I don’t argue with those of lesser intelligence.

Me: Lesser? Me? Oh sweet innocent Nik. Not only do I have the intelligence to run circles around you in a game of Trivial Pursuit (I lost track of how many rounds I won) but I have the athleticism to have you eating dust long after I’ve left the field.

Saint: I think that was Jr. Trivial Pursuit. It doesn't take a genius to winthat game.

Me: Yet you still lost. Hey, are you bringing your self-hired Nancy Drew to the game? You know, the game where I plan to break records.

Diva: Shots fired!

Saint: Who the fuck is Nancy Drew.

Me: Point made.

Diva: >

Me: “I’ll take burned by your best friend for a thousand, Alex.”

Diva: >

Saint: Laugh now, lover boy. It’s a good thing you finally have a girlfriend. You’re going to need her to tend to all of those wounds we plan to run down your face. Pretty Nickie won’t be so pretty anymore.

Me: Yeah yeah. The last time I saw a mug as ugly as yours was on the back end of a dog. Keep yucking it up holy boy. Leave the men to handle the grown up stuff while you play with your G.I. Joes.

Diva: >

Saint: We’re over here having a debate like real men, while Diva Rita is playing in his coloring book. USE YOUR WORDS SOBA!

Diva: >

Me: Welp, you two can continue your battle of wits –or lack thereof– but I have some yards to add to my stats. LYMI.

Istand on the sidelines, watching my defense shut down the Cougars run and wait for the punt to take the field. I do a quick look over my shoulder and up to Monty’s skybox. Squinting my eyes, I can make out the figure of my girl as she chats with people.