Page 86 of Play Along

The big man stands to his full height, turning on his heel and throwing the training room door open with more force than necessary as he leaves.

“Well, that was interesting.” Isaiah holds his paper cup out for me. “Anyway, you’ve got to try this smoothie I made in the dining hall. It’s the best one I’ve ever created.”

I bring the cup to my lips and Isaiah’s attention is zeroed in as my mouth meets the same part of the rim where his just was.

“Mmm. That’s good.”

“Glad you like it because I made it for you. Drink this before the goddamn game starts, Kennedy.”

I huff a laugh. “Cody’s right. You really are a little shit.”

“Oh, no, baby. That’s where you’re wrong. There’s nothing little about me. Maybe one day you’ll learn exactly what kind of size I’m working with.”

“I’m sorry. He said arrogant little shit.”

He stands from the table, big and overbearing in a way I’m getting far too accustomed to. “You left this on the sink in the women’s restroom.” Reaching behind his back, he pulls out today’s New York Times crossword I’ve been working on in my spare time.

“When are you going to stop using my bathroom?”

He ignores me. “Seven down. I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘Denial.’ Six letters. The act of asserting that something alleged is not true.”

Looking the paper over, I realize he’s right. The “N” and the “L” line up perfectly with my existing answers.

He steps into me, his voice low, close to my ear. “I’m surprised you didn’t get that one, Kenny. You know a thing or two about denial, don’t you? Like how you’re telling yourself you’ve been avoiding me because you’re too busy and not because you can’t stop dreaming about our kiss and thinking about how you want more. I thought the answer might be ‘Kennedy’ but seven letters is too long.”

My pulse races because he’s not wrong. I do want more.

But I don’t let him know that.

“Hmm. You’re right. It is ‘Denial’. Six letters. The act of asserting that something alleged is not true. I kept trying to use ‘Isaiah’ and it wasn’t working. ‘Rhodes’ too. Because you’re wrong. I haven’t thought about that kiss one single time since it happened, and I sure as hell haven’t thought about more.”

The little birthmark by his right eye disappears behind his smile line. “The most beautiful liar I’ve ever met.”

My body hums with his proximity, with his confidence and assertiveness I once found unattractive. Now I know it’s just what I need. The constant permission he gives me to do what feels good.

Isaiah tucks a rogue strand behind my ear, running his palm over my hair until he wraps my ponytail around his fist once. Twice.

He tugs, ensuring I’m looking up and making eye contact with him. “Make sure you keep your eyes on me tonight, wifey. I have a feeling I’m going to have a good night at bat, and I want you to watch.”

“You always want me to watch.”

“Mmm, and I like to watch too, you know.”

My mouth goes dry at his insinuation.

“But yes, I do love your attention.”

“Because you’re obsessed with me.”

He chuckles close to my ear. “I think that’s the perfect word to describe how I feel about you, Doc.” Isaiah nips my earlobe before soothing it with a soft kiss on my neck.

With that, he takes off towards the exit, shirtless chest, backwards hat, and bare feet. He makes it to the door before turning one-hundred-eighty degrees to jog right back to me.

I have the smoothie in one hand and my crossword puzzle in the other, but Isaiah throws his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a hug.

It’s foreign yet comforting, and my body holds no protest to his hug. He holds me as if I were important to him, needed in order for him to get through his day. It feels good, so good. He’s so good.

“What are you doing?” I ask into his chest.

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