Page 53 of Always There Bayou
I shake my head, reaching out to pull them up and into my arms. Once my lips pressed against theirs, they melted into my arms, welcoming the affection. I hoped they felt my love and appreciation in the kiss, but I didn’t have to wonder long when they pulled back a bit and smiled at me.
“Thank you, Bunny,” I said, stroking their cheek softly. “That was...amazing.”
“Thank you for trusting me with your body,” they replied. “It means more than you know.”
“You mean more than you know to me,” I assure them. “I’ve always trusted you, but thank you for being so patient with me.” I pause and then wait for me to continue. “Can you...do it again?”
Their face lights up and they nod enthusiastically, telling me that they got me whenever. I chuckled, preparing myself for another round of pleasure, which I returned not long after.
And as I lay there later that night, being the little spoon for once, I thought about how at peace I was. Change was scary as hell, but I had Denny right here with me, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. Honestly, I didn’twantanything more—only them.
15
Truly Loved Bayou.
DennyHouston-May9th, 2025 - A Month and A Half Later
“Today, we’re here to honor one of the Bayou’s very own. After 13 years of playing for the league, Cory Tate is now ready to hang up her jersey,” the announcer said into the mic as the whole area groaned in disbelief. “I know. I know. We’ll miss her, but we’ll also support her wherever life takes her, am I right?”
The arena erupted with applause as I watched in awe at how many people had purchased tickets to see Cory’s last game. Retiring right after the first pre-season game was unprecedented, but she wanted to play one last game before hanging it all up. So, after talking it out with the coaches, they agreed that it was a great idea, something like a farewell game, just for her. It warmed my heart to see how many people cared for her and had been rooting for her all this time, even when she said she wasn’t a fan of all the attention.
I stood beside Nala and Chey in the row right behind the players' bench as the announcer called Cory’s name, signaling her to come out onto the court. The sound in that arena was deafening as everyone stood to give her a standing ovation. Her teammates crowded around her and cheered her on as she made her way to the center of the court. She hated people seeing her get emotional, but today was not one of those days when she cared. I could see her wiping the tears as they fell.
For almost a decade and a half, she’d been living out her dream and giving her all to this league, so to see her being honored like this was beyond beautiful. She deserved this and more, and I was determined to be there to give it to her. The thought of marrying her had been playing more frequently in my head these last couple of months.
After seeing both of her friends and her sister get married, I was eager to get married next. Even though I’d always wanted to be the one who got proposed to, I wasn’t opposed to dropping to one knee and asking her myself. It was taking everything in me not to run on the court and ask her right in front of everyone, but I didn’t want to take away from her being the most important person of the day.
“Denny.”
My head snaps to my left, and I notice Nala and Chey looking at me with excited expressions. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d zoned out until I noticed how quiet the arena had gotten. My eyebrows furrowed as Nala pointed to the big screens above the court.I looked up and saw that I was being displayed on it, which only made me more confused.
“Denny, go!” Chey called out, gently pushing me forward.
I stumbled a bit as I walked through the clear path of seats and the row of players who looked at me with wide smiles. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I could see the smile on Cory’s face as she held out her hand to me. Once I took it, she gently pulled me up onto the makeshift stage.
“Hi,” she smiled, never once taking her eyes off me.
“Hi?” I chuckle nervously before looking around as the thousands of faces smile back at us. “Uh, Corduroy, what’s happening?”
She doesn’t answer, but instead takes the mic that someone hands her and turns to face the crowd.
“Now, y’all know that I’m not good at speaking in front of people, because I’d rather just chill in the background,” Cory says, and the crowd laughs in agreement. “Well, I wanted to change that, at least for today. I know I don’t say this often, but I truly appreciate all of you who have been supporting me. Whether you’ve been here from day one or just became a fan of me and the Bayou an hour ago. I thank everyone for making my career as enjoyable and memorable as it has been.”
“I know that there have been plenty of ups and downs, as well as enough drama to last a lifetime,” she continues. “However, I have some of the best memories from playing in this league, playing with this team. To my family, thank y’all for loving me and constantly being there for me. To my teammates, thank you for helping me become a better player by always pushing me to be my best. To my best friends, Harley and Simone, thank y’all for always accepting me, attitude and all. I know I constantly give y’all a hard time, but had I never met y’all, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did. So, for that, I want to say thank you, and that I love y’all so damn much. Y’all are my ride or dies for real.”
“Damn right!” Harley yells.
“Aww, youdolove us!” Simone exclaims, and laughter rings out around us once again.
“Yeah, yeah,” Cory laughs, waving the mic dismissively. She finally turns back to me, and her smile softens. “And to you, Denali Houston, the love of my life. My Bunny. Thank you for continuously being the reason I keep going. Thank you for holding me back that day on the playground when we were eleven. I know you probably know by now, but that was one of the first times I’ve ever felt seen and fully protected in my life. You were my best friend from that first day, and no matter how much I tried to act like I didn’t care if you hung out with me, I couldn’t go a day without looking forward to getting to be in your presence.”
“Yeah, I know,” I joke, wiping the tears from my eyes. “You were hooked at first glance.”
“That I was,” she agrees.
She winks at me before taking one of my hands in her free hand and turning back to face the crowd. The lights cut suddenly, and I watch in awe as the shirts of a whole section of people begin to glow, spelling out words that I hadn’t expected to see for a while:
Denali Houston, you’re my forever. You know that, right?
