Page 60 of Unexpected Pass

“Oh my God.” My hand flew to my mouth. “Has anybody recognized me?”

I wasn’t famous, but I had a small following online. If nobody had recognized me yet, it was only a matter of time before they did. Kellon tapped the post and scrolled through the comments.

“Looks like some people do,” he said.

@babigirl121:Is that @Phileighthebarber.

@Ladyrain445:BBW’s just upped the score!

@Shelashay:probably just cut his hair. She too fat to be his type.

@Gegege:I see you @Phileighthebarber

@tytybaby:Not golden boy having sex in public.

I swallowed hard as Kellon’s jaw clenched, and he pulled the phone away.

“Shit,” he muttered, grabbing my hand and leading me out the doctor’s office. “We need to get ahead of this shit before the media has a field day.”

“What do we need to do?”

“First, I gotta call my mom.” He shook his head as Monte opened the door and we climbed into the back of the SUV.

I couldn’t fucking sit still.This shit didn’t look too bad to some, but I knew the media. I knew how they could spin shit and turn a beautiful moment into something ugly. It was what they did.

“You have to chill out.” Phileigh tried grabbing my arm. I’d paced my damn living room so many times since we got back, I was surprised I hadn’t walked a hole in the floor.

“I can’t chill right now. We’re plastered all over the damn internet.”

“It’s just a few pictures.”

“All the internet knows is drama, scandal, and the opportunity to stir shit.”

“Are you ashamed of being seen with me or something?” Her words stopped me dead in my tracks. Was that the vibe I was giving off?

“What? Hell naw.”

I moved to where she was sitting on the sofa. Her head was down like she was ashamed or some shit. “That’s not what I’m tripping about. I don’t give a damn who knows about us or sees us together.” I lifted her chin so she could see the sincerity in my eyes.

“I just… We don’t have to go public or anything. I know?—”

“Phileigh, stop that shit. I don’t care about the world seeing us. I care about the narrative they’re spinning… your privacy… your safety. The paparazzi will be swarming now that they know about us.”

She stared at me with concern flashing in her eyes. I knew it was only a matter of time before we were spotted together. I should have prepared us for this.

“You sure your mom will help?” she asked gently. “I know y’all are not on the best of terms.”

“I shouldn’t have waited this long to talk to her, but I’m still her son, and this is her job. She’ll help.” I nodded. “Besides, Ma is the best in the business. Why do you think I got one of the best images in the league?”

“One of the most boring images,” she joked, making me laugh.

“Damn, I’m boring?”

“I’m just repeating what those memes said.” She threw her hands up in the air.

“Boring, huh?”

I rolled on top of her, tickling her and landing kisses on her neck. Her soft laugh and moans egged me on. The sound of the doorbell ringing had me freezing in place.

---