Page 30 of Nobody But You

“We’ll be sitting at his normal booth.”

“Ahem, my apologies, Mrs. Rockwell. If you two will follow me,” she said after clearing her throat. After we were seated, a waiter promptly came, and we both placed our orders. Steph ordered the chicken marsala without even looking over the menu. He did it so quickly that I figured it had to be good, so I ordered the same. We both sat silently as the other guests' conversation sounded around us. Since it was Sunday, the restaurant was brightly lit by the open shades that let it all in. It was a stark difference from the night ambiance that it held. I could see Stephon studying me out of the corner of my eye. I finally gave him my attention.

“Who broke your heart, Jourdan?” Stephon asked after we sat for a moment in silence.

“I’ve been in love before. However, the loss of their love could never compare to the heartbreak of losing both parents. I thought that maybe if I could just find out who murdered my father, it would help me mend some of this brokenness.” I said, flailing my hands around, trying to emphasize how I felt on the inside. He grabbed them, placing them in his. His calmness flowed through me instantly as his fingers threaded mine.

“I get that. I threw myself into football heavily afterward. Although it never felt the same. When my father was rooting for me from the stands, I felt bigger than life. I was gutted after my injury when I realized that I couldn't accomplish the dream I told my father I would. I didn’t stay there in that darkness, though. I talked that shit out with my mother, and D. You can’t hold on to that hurt, Baby. As long as you’re with me, and if you’ll allow it, I will do everything possible so you do not stay there,” he said and paused, examining my face to make sure I understood.

“You can talk to me. I know we’re new, but our backgrounds put me in a position to understand exactly what you’re going through. I know you’re not rocking with him right now, but you can also talk to your brother. You also have a best friend, right? Don’t let that shit consume you Jourdan. You’ll miss everything important even when it’s staring you right in the face. Trust me!” I took in his words and could tell he meant them the same as he’d told me before.

The waitress came, and Steph let go of my hands. She set our meals before us, and we said grace before I took my first bite.

Damn!

That thought must have shown on my face because Steph smiled at me.

“I’ll never steer you wrong, Baby.”

“Um, Huh,” I hummed and smirked before pinning him with a hardened stare.

“Since we’re being honest and open. Did you fuck that hostess?”

“Why? Are you going to kill her?”

“Maybe or you. It depends on your answer.” I said as he laughed.

“Your brother asked me the same thing; you two are funny as hell. No, Mrs. Rockwell,” he said with emphasis, then continued.

“I don’t know why y’all think I go around slanging dick to every beautiful woman I see.”

“Oh, so you think she’s beautiful?”

“Come here,” he said, pinning me with a hardened gaze of his own. I placed my fork down and slid into the booth beside him. He spread his legs, pressing his closest against mine. I looked down to see the bulge in his sweats.

“Touch it,” he ordered. I glanced around, making sure no one could see before I followed his command. It was hard and seemed to get harder when I gripped it.

“Your jealous threats only make my dick hard. I wouldn’t handle threats from you like I do all the others,” he said as he traced his hand down my face before grabbing my chin.

“Your threats will end with you bent over, maybe this table, if you keep trying me,” he said, bringing his face to mine and pausing.

“Now eat before I show you by making good on it.” He pecked my lips and slid my plate over. Then he lifted my fork and sliced a piece of the chicken, ensuring it had enough sauce before he lifted it to my mouth.

“Open up for me, Baby,” he said, nodding, directing me to do as he said. I crossed my legs and squeezed them together, trying tostop the throb that he’d just put there. I wrapped my lips around the fork with the chicken, which tasted even better than it had a few moments ago.

“Good girl,” I heard him groan under his breath before he released the fork back into my hands. After a few moments, just like before, his hand gravitated between my legs, where it rested. I glanced over to see him eating his Chicken Marsala like he didn’t have a care in the world.

He has to know what he’s doing, right?

We spent the next twenty minutes eating, laughing, and getting to know one another before heading to his team’s practice.

“Coach Steph, Coach Steph!” The kids yelled and crowded around Stephon the moment he entered the indoor field. There were around forty kids, all of whom appeared to be in fourth or fifth grade. Five minutes earlier, we’d arrived at Sports Plex, an indoor sports arena. The area of the venue we were in housed the turf field, where the kids were suited up and running around. It was warehouse-sized and outfitted with white walls, bright lights, and skylight roofing.

“Coach, Coach, is that your girl?” One of the pre-teens asked. Before Steph could answer, the kid had stepped up to me with his most confident swagger.

“Do you know magic? Because you just made everyone disappear,” he said as he took my hand. Stephon smacked the kid’s hand away and tackled him to the ground.

“Canon, you must be trying to run the whole practice by coming after my woman like that,” Steph said. The kid erupted in laughter as he tried and failed to get up numerous times.

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