The Seahawks defensive lineman darted in my direction as I ran toward the fifty-yard line. His shoulder slammed into my torso, knocking me to the ground.
I hopped up and glanced in their direction again. Bee stood beside Deacon with her arms crossing her chest. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! My best friend set us up. He brought ammunition to the fight.
“Oakley.” Mavis threw his hands up.
He mouthed. “What the fuck?”
I had to continue playing the game. There wasn’t a chance I could shield Lakelyn from the bullshit double team that she was facing.
Gripping the gate of my helmet was something I’ve always done before a play. In my running stance, I stared at Mavis. The second he stepped backward, pulling the ball back, I weaved down the field. In my periphery, I noticed more yelling between Deacon and Lakelyn. The defensive lineman Tanning darted toward me as I jumped, catching the ball in the air. Another player slammed into my body from behind, knocking the wind out of me. Felt like a freight train struck me.
Lights Out.
That was the last thing I remembered before waking up, peering into Lakelyn’s gorgeous, hazel eyes.
“Lakelyn.”
She stood, leaning over me wearing a sweatshirt and joggers.
“Are you cold?” I’ve asked her that a lot lately.
She looked down, then met my gaze again. “Yeah.”
“Lay next to me. I want to hold you.”
“Wyatt, you are banged up and you had surgery today. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She wouldn’t stare into my eyes.
“Baby, I don’t care. After my parents leave, get up here.”
“Your mom, dad, and Phoebe should be in soon. They went to grab a bite to eat.”
She danced around my demands.
“Wait until I can spank that pretty ass again,” I growled.
A wide smile spread across her lips. “Too bad you can’t. I’m so horny. I’d come long and hard.” She gripped my cock.
“Too bad there’s a catheter shoved in the head of your dick,” she laughed.
“Your time over my knee will be here soon enough.”
“What’s your pain level?”
“Five.”
“Liar. Real number.”
“Eleven.”
She placed the morphine button in my good hand.
“Once you’re in the bed with me, I’ll hit the button.”
Her nostrils flared. “I’m not arguing with you.”
She pushed my finger down, smashing the button.
“You’ll thank me later.” Lakelyn grinned.
“Oh my God, Wyatt,” a woman said, entering the room.
Lakelyn and I turned in the direction of the voice at the same time.
Fuck, tell me I’m dreaming.
“We were so worried about you?” One of the four tall blondes whined. They wore tight jeans and oversized blouses. Maybe to make it appear they were pregnant.
They halted at the bed opposite of Lakelyn.
“Bullshit! I’ve never had sex with any of you before. That means, the chances of me getting any of you pregnant is impossible. Get the fuck out of my room,” I bellowed.
One of the women rubbed my good arm. “Don’t be silly. That night at the orgy was a wild night.” She bit her bottom lip.
I could feel the heat rolling off Lakelyn’s skin. Thought she would’ve walked out by now.
“You heard what he said. Get...the...fuck...out,” she enunciated every word, pointing to the door.
Lakelyn was a woman you didn’t want to piss off.
Their lips twisted. “We are the mothers of his children. We have the right to stay and make sure he’s ok,” the leader of their little crew stated. She was the first to speak when they walked into the room. They reminded me of stick figures. Nothing like my woman who had a fat ass and thick thighs.
Lakelyn rounded the bed. “I will beat the shit out of every last one of you if your feet don’t get to moving,” she roared, with balled fists at her sides.
My family stepped into the room.
Mom’s eyes grew in size. “You had the audacity to show your faces in my son’s hospital room. Like you care about him. You all have some nerve.”
Mom stepped next to Lakelyn. “She told you all to get the hell out. Now leave,” she snarled.
Phoebe pointed to the door. “If you all choose to stay, we can have a nice little southern beat down.” Her chest heaved.
My sister blossomed into a gorgeous woman.
“I’m not afraid to get dirty.” She pulled her dark hair into a scrunchy, as she inched closer to the women.
The beautiful ladies in my life stood up for me. Dad stood near the couch, arms crossed, smiling wide.
He appeared to enjoy the spectacle that unfolded.
The leader smacked her lips. “Fine, we’re leaving.”
Mom held the door open.
In a single file line, they all but hugged the wall to exit.
Lakelyn was on their heels. “Don’t fucking come back. Skank bitches.” She shoved her foot into the last woman’s ass. She stumbled, knocking the other three women to the floor.
The entire room burst into laughter.
“We’re suing you,” one of them huffed outside the door.
“Do it! My dad’s the best attorney around. When he’s done, every last one of you will fry frozen burger patties at Krystal’s.”
“You’re lucky that’s all you got was a kick in the ass. You deserved more,” mom sneered.
Lakelyn pointed to the women. “Fosco, escort them from the premises please.” She stepped deeper into the room.
Mom and Phoebe pulled Lakelyn into a hug.
Dad stepped to my side. “She was a wild one back in the day. They didn’t want any parts of your mother. She put several women in their places when I played ball. That’s why your sister’s a spitfire, too.”
We laughed. Phoebe winked at me as she sat on the couch, and pressed her phone screen.
Dad kissed the top of my head. “I’m thankful you’re all right.” Worry laced his gray eyes.
My dad and I had a good relationship. He stressed the importance of being present on the field. I should’ve been today. But I had to look after my woman.
“I’ll be fine, dad. Lakelyn’s agreed to be my physical therapist.”
“That’s mighty nice of you. Most women wouldn’t have stepped in this room due to all the drama surrounding Oak.” Mom grinned.
Lakelyn’s brows rustled together, staring between us.
“Why wouldn’t I? I’ve known Oak forever.”
Mom rubbed Lakelyn’s shoulder. “Honey, the cat's out of the bag. It’s been out of the bag,” she chuckled lightly.
“Wyatt dreamed to play for the Falcons like his dad, but─”
“One day he stood staring out the window at you.” Dad pointed at Lakelyn.
“Wyatt said he needed to play in Atlanta. Lakelyn you were the reason.”
She smiled.
“Wyatt told us he’s madly in love with you. And once Deacon finds out, he’ll try to kill him.”
Lakelyn peeked up at my mother. “My brother informed me today that he’s known about me and Oak. I think he planned to fight him after the game. Deacon won’t let this die. He will fight Oak. Right now, I’m struggling with the decision to move forward and start─”