Page 75 of Waiting for Friday Night

Quinton’s fingers pushed past her underwear and slid across the slick heat of her sex. Halle cried out. God, it had been too long since someone touched her like this.

The sound of voices and laughter came from the front porch. Halle’s eyes flew open and she pushed on Quinton’s chest. “It’s Shania.”

Quinton cursed but quickly pulled away. Halle eyed his bulging erection. “She’ll see that.”

“Bathroom?”

She pointed. “Down the hall.”

He jumped up and moved with lightning speed. The front door opened just as he reached the bathroom door. Halle stood and hoped she didn’t look too ruffled. She felt as if her world had been knocked off-kilter.

“Mom, Coach Q, are you here?” Shania called.

“I’m here,” she called back. “He’s in the bathroom.”

Shania came into the living area. Kayla and Nadia right behind her. Halle went through the motions of thanking Kayla for letting Shania spend the night. Shania and Nadia went into a story about what they’d seen at the diner, which kept Kayla from being nosey and asking questions. Questions she knew her cousin had from the way she eyed Halle.

Quinton came out of the bathroom just as the story ended. “Shania, you ready?” They were going back to his place to spend time with him and his family.

Shania nodded. “Yep. Let’s go.”

Quinton glanced at her. Their eyes met and she was back on the couch. She quickly looked away. They didn’t get a chance to talk about what happened or make plans for what would happen next as everyone shuffled to get out of the house and Kayla watched them like hawks. Quinton was the last one out the door and he turned to her when Shania walked off the porch with Nadia.

“Let me see you. Away from everyone. Just us.”

She didn’t hesitate to answer. “Just say when.”

Twenty-Three

Quinton watched as the other team snatched the ball before Octavius could catch it. The kid didn’t hesitate and immediately headed for his end zone. Quinton cursed and balled his hand into a fist. The rest of the coaches yelled for the players to stop him, but it was too late. The boy had reached the goal line and scored a touchdown. The buzzer sounded the end of the fourth quarter.

Groans of disappointment went through the home crowd and were echoed by the coaches and players on the sideline. They’d had a good run so far in the season, but that didn’t make losing any easier. Quinton walked down the sideline and patted each player on the shoulder.

“It’s okay. Go shake hands and then huddle up in the locker room.”

They nodded and formed a line. Quinton hoped the varsity team had a better showing the next night, but the team they’d played was good. They’d outmaneuvered them and played a little harder. He’d take what he’d learned today watching the JV team play and see what he could use for the game tomorrow.

“Coach Q, do you have a second?” a voice called from the stands.

Quinton turned to see the players on the field to where superintendent Watts and Jeremiah stood against the railing. Quinton walked over. “I’m going to congratulate the other team.”

Jeremiah nodded. “That’s fine, but when you’re done stop by the booth.”

Dr. Watts grinned down at Quinton from next to Jeremiah. “We want you to meet someone.”

“Who?”

Zachariah called his name before Jeremiah could answer. Quinton turned in that direction. He needed to join them to shake hands with the other coach. He turned back to them both. “Alright, let me finish this and talk to the team then I’ll head that way.”

Jeremiah gave him a thumbs-up. “Good. Thank you!”

Quinton went back to console his team. A loss was never easy. They had several more games to play. Sometimes, the other team just played better. Which was exactly what he said to them after they’d huddled up in the end zone for the post-game talk. Once he released the team to go back to the locker rooms to change, he turned to Zachariah.

“I need to go talk to Jeremiah and the superintendent. You make sure they’re good?”

Zachariah’s brows drew together. “I got you, but what does he want?”

“Wants me to meet someone.”

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