Page 36 of Let it Breathe
13
Donovan
That night, we laid there in each other arms talking, laughing, and recovering from the best sex of my life. It turned out to be the last quiet alone moment we’d have together all weekend.
Chai didn't seem to mind. She enjoyed every bit of it. I had worried about how Mauri would react. Mauri had told me for years she didn't like me dating outside of my race and wanted me to settle down and throw my player card away. I didn't think I would, but it wasn't even a factor. I could never see myself settling down before. Now all I could see was my future, and Chai was all over it.
I was paid to appear at different parties throughout Super Bowl weekend. In the past, I had never brought anyone with me, but it was different with Chai on my arm. She commanded respect in the way she carried herself that had my boys enamored; at the same time, their wives and girlfriends gave Chai the nod of approval. She drew plenty of nastiness from women who understood in an instant that Chai wasn't a weekend fling.
None of that fazed her; I think she enjoyed it. It was something I had never even considered, but I liked the idea of Chai being proud to be with me.
It was what I wanted people to see.
I had changed.
When I look at her, I can breathe.
That feeling stayed with me all weekend. Even as we enter the crowded suite to watch the game, thirty people clamored for my attention, but she had mine.
The game had started, and we settled on two barstools behind the stadium seats in the suite. I angled my body toward her. She watched the opening drive of the game; her eyes wide and a silly grin made her face so beautiful.
She peeked over her shoulder and smiled.
"I love seeing you smile." I kissed her shoulder, and she leaned back against me. "I'm happy you're here with me."
"Me, too." She leaned into my kiss and turned back to the game. "I've watched the game on television, but so much more goes on. I had no idea."
"You've never been to a football game?" I asked, playing with her hair. I couldn't keep my hands off her.
She shook her head. Her hair fell over her shoulders, and I pushed it back.
"You know the rules of the game?"
"Most of them. You said your college roommate plays for one of the teams. Which one?"
"The Cowboys." I grinned at her. "The one with the star on the helmets."
"I know that." She hit me on my leg, but her hand remained. "Is it hard for you to watch the game knowing how close your team was to making it?"
"You always wish you could be in the game. Even the worst player on the last place team at the beginning of the season thinks in the back of their mind, this is our year, but the season plays out, and all you can do is your best for your team and your city."
I looked back at the field and back at her.
She tilted her head.
"What?" I asked.
"That was a great and well-rehearsedI'm a player in the NFLteam line."
She gripped my chin and wouldn't let my gaze drop.
"Truth?"
She nodded.
"It sucks. I'm still not over the way we lost that last game and bet I'll be here next year." The tension of doing and saying the right thing faded. I didn't have to pretend with her.
"I can't wait to see you play." She settled back against my chest.
