Page 65 of Fever

Carla licked the tip of both her pinky fingers then wiped them over her eyebrows. “Nope, but I’m working on it,” she said, side-stepping Samiyah.

“Ouuuu!” we guffawed. I died over laughing as Carla shimmied her hips down the hallway in search of Jacob.

“I love her,” Desiree said, still chuckling.

“Come on, girl, everybody’s in the back,” Samiyah said.

We sauntered down the hallway, one behind the other. When we got to the back door, we found Carla huddled up in front of the screen door peeking through. We laughed again and shooed her. Stepping out came with a sinful delight. The Rose brothers were accompanied by another team of men, and there were no shirts in sight. A picturesque image of muscles, toned arms, ripped abs, wrapped in different shades of brown were on display in a fun game of football. My eyes searched for Josiah, and I found him in a running position to the right side of Jonas. My gaze rode over his toned flesh, thick biceps and smooth skin. My body was always aware of him, and just his presence awakened my nerves and warmed my heart. The fellas crouched as Jonas counted down then yelled.

“Hike!”

The football flew into his hands, and the team dispersed, finding their position. A handsome dark skin fella broke through Jonathon’s block, headed straight for Jonas. On the left side down the field, Jaden was uncovered, holding out a hand, but Josiah was closer. In a split-second decision, Jonas released the ball just as he was nailed to the ground. Josiah went for it, extending his torso and arms as he sailed into the air to grab it with a tight fist rolling to the ground.

“First down!” Their father shouted, and the Rose team hooped and hollered.

“Man, you got lucky!” The dark skin fella who’d tackled Jonas said.

I trailed over to Norma and gave her a hug. Samiyah’s mom Marth Jean, and Desiree and Claudia’s mother Adeline sat comfortably with Adeline wearing a sunhat and pair of colorful reflective shades across her eyes. As I dipped down to speak, I realized she was asleep then I noticed her soft breathing. Turning to look behind me, I mouthed to Desiree, “Your mom is sleep. Shouldn’t she lay down?”

Desiree waved me off. “She’ll just wake up with an attitude and swear your next step will be to put her in a nursing home.” Desiree rolled her eyes. and Norma and Martha Jean snickered.

“Probably where she needs to be,” Martha Jean surmised.

“Mom!” Samiyah said.

Martha Jean shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

Everyone snickered again, and I made my way across the yard to greet Christopher Lee Rose. The game was in full swing when I placed a hand on his back and step to his side.

“Mr. Rose,” I said. “Having a good time, I suppose.”

My eyes flickered to Josiah just as he caught the ball for the second time.

Mr. Rose turned to me with a wide smile. “Hey Santana, I’m glad you could make it.”

At the mention of my name, Josiah’s head curved to me, and a full-blown smile stretched across his face.

“Baby, watch out!” I yelled, but it was too late.

The same guy who took down Jonas had pinned Josiah to the ground.

“Oooooh!” the men yelled.

“Damn, little brother.” Jonas strutted up to him and held out a hand, which Josiah accepted. Jonas pulled him to his feet, and Josiah shook himself off. Josiah pointed at the man who’d tackled him.

“Q, that’ll be the last one you get. I hope you enjoyed it,” he said. A whistle bounced off Josiah’s tongue. “Xavier, you’re in!” Josiah tossed the ball to Xavier and jogged off the field toward me. The closer he came his hustle slowed, and I reached out to him for a hug. His arms circled my waist tightly, and he scooped me up off the ground. The kiss that greeted me stole my breath, and it was carried off in a swirl of wind that ran over us. A giggle tickled from my lips, and I smiled against his mouth.

“That’s some greeting, son,” Mr. Rose said.

“You should’ve seen the one they had at the club,” Carla murmured.

Octavia, Selena, Eden, Jasmine, and Phoebe joined our side.

“Ain’t it the truth,” Selena chimed, and Octavia agreed with a nod.

Slowly, Josiah sat me back on my feet but kept me pinned to his chest.

“In case you didn’t know,” Josiah said, gazing at me, “this here’s my girl.” He brushed a kiss against my forehead, and I blushed.

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