Page 54 of Best Year Ever
My position, middle linebacker, is typically a “quarterback” on the defense, calling formations for our guys as well as making adjustments depending on what we see the offense doing. So I’m diving in for the new season.
On the nights I drive down to Rori’s place after practice, we’ve fallen into a comfortable pattern. I usually arrive around six in the afternoon, just as she’s warming up dinner. I help set the table and we catch up on our days.
Our conversations range in topics quite a bit, from the latest events in the sports world to childhood stories to our hopes for the year in our careers. Watching Rori talk with so much passion about rebuilding her rank after her injury is straight-up inspiring.
This girl is a badass.
I also treaded into the sensitive territory of the Trinity situationafter a week had gone by. It felt wrong for Rori not to know, even if it was completely in the past.
We’d just finished dinner, and I ripped off the bandaid, watching her digest my description of the Vegas trip and paternity scare in real time before asking a few questions. Understandable questions.
“This was all last year? Before we met?” she asked, fidgeting with her napkin.
“Yeah, everything was resolved in December,” I reassured her. “Trinity and I haven’t spoken since then.”
She nodded, looking back up at me. “So it never hit the press?”
I shook my head. “No, we handled it privately. Quietly.”
She stopped fidgeting, but stayed silent as she processed what I’d dropped on her. I continued, wanting to provide as much reassurance as I could.
“And I’ve always used protection, like I mentioned the other night. Always.”
She was quiet for another moment and then seemed to relax. “Thank you for telling me. I know you didn’t need to, technically.”
I shake my head. “Maybe not, but it felt like I should.”
It took a beat or two, but we moved on to lighter topics soon after, and I was relieved I no longer had it hanging over my head that she didn’t know.
Rori also stepped into another part of my world over our last two nights, when she told me to bring Grover. As I walked in with him the first time, Rori squealed and picked him up, showering him with kisses.
I couldn’t help bursting out laughing as I was completely ignored. “Nice to see you too.”
Eventually, she put Grover down, and I grabbed her in a long kiss so she could welcome me properly.
“Jealous of him?” she teased when we came up for air.
“Just a little,” I joked back.
The two of them have also bonded, playing fetch with her used tennis balls in the backyard after our dinners. I’m more than happy to relax in one of the chairs by her pool and watch them play. It’s fucking cute.
And the sex. The sex is hands down the best I’ve ever had. The crazy part is that it keeps getting better. When I was here last on Thursday, we looked at each other after explosive orgasms back-to-back in awe. “What was that?” Rori whispered.
The fact is, not only do I want her more than any woman before, but I also want to spend my free time with her, hear about her day, and watch her trashy reality TV shows while holding her on the couch.
I even want to hear about her theories about her dad and coach sneaking around together.
“I’m not mad about it, truly,” Rori says when we chat about it. “Everyone’s an adult, and for all I know, it’s a short-term thing that will fade. If they’re really dating though, I wish they would come clean so I don’t have to wonder.”
“Why don’t you talk to them about it?” I ask as I wash the dishes after dinner. Having a conversation to clear the air seems like the simplest thing for her to do.
“No, that might make things more awkward,” Rori says. “I’d rather keep everything totally professional with Julie for now, in case it’s just a fling, or for all I know, something I imagined.”
I shrug, respecting where she’s coming from. I can see both sides.
“As long as it doesn’t mess with my tennis, and nobody gets hurt, it’ll be fine,” she says dismissively.
It’s a typical Rori decision. Unless it’s on reality TV, she doesn’t like drama, which on the whole is something I appreciate.
