Page 68 of Unexpected Pass

“KB!”

We were greeted warmly at the entrance. A few players clapped me on the back, but all eyes were on Phileigh. Everybody wanted to know about the beautiful woman on my arm, especially since I hadn’t brought anyone around since the breakup with Ari. Phileigh smiled shyly, shaking hands, giving them the quiet confidence that drew me to her. Cam’s wife, Elli, waved us over to a table where several of my offensive linemen were already seated with their ladies. Cam and Elli stood and greeted us both with a hug.

“Y’all look amazing,” she said. “And glowing, especially you, Phileigh.”

Phileigh smiled shyly, and I squeezed her hand. She was clearly unsure how to respond. Cam and Elli were the only two people here who knew our secret. I was about to step in and change the subject, but Phileigh muttered something about skincare, redirecting the conversation all on her own. Elli winked at us as she returned to her seat. I nodded at Cam as a small token of respect for them keeping our little secret. Cam nodded back as he pulled Elli in close and whispered something in her ear.

“Yo! Kellon, you trying to break the internet tonight, huh?” Javier, one of my teammates, called out with a smirk, holdingup his phone and showing the post I’d made before we left. It already had thousands of likes and comments and had already been reshared by Hollywood Tea Room.

“I just thought I’d let the people know.” I shrugged.

“I respect it. It’s good to have you back in the club,” he said, referring to the unofficial club of players who were taken.

“It’s good to be back. But it’s even better that I have her by my side.” I kissed Phileigh’s cheek, and all the women at the table cooed.

“Phileigh!” Elli called her name. “I want you to meet the other girls.”

She motioned to two women nearby.

“This is Jazlyn and Briana. They run the WAGs group with me.”

“WAGs?” Phileigh asked, confused.

“It’s a little support squad for us wives and girlfriends. All the NFL teams have them. We do brunches, interventions, charity events, and even group therapy if needed.”

“Oh.” Phileigh looked at me and then back at Elli.

“We basically help each other survive this crazy mess.” Bri laughed, and Phileigh joined in.

“Seriously,” Jaz chimed in. “You need anything from stylists and nail techs to vent sessions about travel schedules and loneliness, we’re the place to come.”

“We meet once a month,” Bri added.

“Thank you.” Phileigh smiled. “That… means a lot.”

“You’re family now,” Elli said, raising her glass. “A toast to Kellon and Phileigh.”

Everyone raised their glasses.

“May you all have a lifetime of love and happiness. And may this soft launch be just the beginning of your forever.”

I smiled as Phileigh faked a sip of her champagne, and the conversation flowed. The night was perfect. Phileigh fit right in,and I couldn’t wait until we made it back home so I could give her the final gift of the night and fuck her fine ass to sleep.

“Couldtonight have been any more perfect?” Phileigh asked as she kicked off her heels and wandered to the bathroom, removing her dress along the way.

“It was a good night. Great way for us to pop out.”

I sat in the end chair, taking off my shoes, watching her move. She was so soft, beautiful, and confident in her feminine energy. I wanted her to stay there forever, smiling, humming melodies, and moving around without a care in the world. Anytime I could make that possible, I was going to do that. Hearing my phone vibrate again, I picked it up. It had been buzzing with notifications all night thanks to my little announcement.

I scanned through the notifications, gauging the general opinions about us. Some people were happy, and others commented on her looks. The majority, though, were just happy she was black as if there was ever any chance for me to give my generational wealth back to the same people whose ancestors had stolen mine. I got it, though. I swiped out of the notifications just as my phone started ringing in my hand.

I glanced at it. My face scrunched up from the number that flashed on the screen.Reggie?Yeah, dude had my number, but we mainly talked about business if he was in NYC or if I was in LA. This call, though, I knew what it was about. I had half the mind to ignore his ass, but I wanted to hear what he had to say. If for no other reason than to feel his temperature. Besides, he needed to tell his girl to leave Phileigh alone. She had blocked her, and now, Natalie was messaging her from fake accounts,commenting on her posts, and watching her stories. Phileigh was wrong for inboxing her, but now, Nat was tripping. I hated seeing her spiraling like that. Swiping the screen, I let out a deep sigh before answering the phone.

“Yo,” I said into the speaker.

“Aye, KB, man. I know we don’t be kicking it like that, but I can’t just leave my nigga in the dark. I figured I should call you like a man before you get too deep in some bullshit with that girl.”

“What girl?” I played dumb.

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