Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Telling Davina took a weight off my shoulders, though. One that’d been dragging me down for nineteen long years. And for the first time that night, as our lasagna went cold and we curled up on the couch, I felt nothing but sweet relief.
For the first time, I lit a match to my past and warmed up to the flames.
“Will you join me for Thanksgiving?” I asked.
Davina rubbed my arm. “Of course I will.”
SIXTY-FOUR
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.”
SIXTY-FIVE
DAVINA
The morning of Thanksgiving, I woke up in a hotel bed with my boyfriend. It was nearing seven in the morning, and he was still asleep.
We’d taken a private jet Deke had booked, and I swear it was the most luxurious experience of my life. The leather seats were plush and comfortable, the champagne was aplenty, and we talked about the game he’d just had the day before. He was bone tired but still smiling.
I sat up on my elbow and stared at him. He looked childlike lying there, with his features soft and one hand on his heart. The other was tucked beneath his pillow.
I didn’t want to wake him, so I climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I walked back out, Deke’s back was perched against the headboard as he looked at me.
“Did I wake you?” I asked, climbing back into bed.
“No. Phone was vibrating. Camille called, asked me to bring drinks.”
He flipped onto his side to face me, then wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in close so the fronts of our bodies were pressed together. I could feel his semihard erection, and as if he knew I’d feel it, he grinned.
I cupped his face and kissed him. He groaned, kissing me back, and before I knew it, he was between my legs and grinding himself on me. I let out a ragged breath as he kissed my throat and carried his lips down to my pelvis.