“That boy.”
“He needs a raise,” I say, chuckling.
“He’s such a good kid,” Clarissa murmurs. “We hit the lotto with that one.”
“With all of them,” I murmur, kissing her neck.
We pull up to the entrance of the hotel just as she shuts her compact. When the car rolls to a stop, I pull her to me and crush my mouth to hers, ruining her efforts and hearing her protest a split second before she melts into my kiss. The door opens as I steadily devour her, not giving a fuck who catches sight of us, and she lets me. I’m obsessed with my wife.
“Troy,” she murmurs, looking up at me with a lusty gaze when I pull away, “haven’t you had enough?”
“You know the answer to that. Come on.” I make sure everything is covered as I gently escort her from the limo. The driver gives us a grin as I pull her into the breezeway of the hotel. We’re only a few steps past the door when a man approaches with his wife trailing behind him.
“Hey, Troy? Can I get your autograph?”
Clarissa smiles, making small talk with the wife as I usher the guy to the side of the busy walkway and take the pen from him.
“Killer season, man. Next year is our year. I can feel it.”
“Thanks, hope so.” I scribble my name as I’ve done thousands of times and still can’t believe this is my life. It’s been a crazy ride from that blue rental house to get to this point.
“Thanks, man,” the man says as we take a quick pic before he’s on his way.
“I’ve never gambled before,” Clarissa says as I walk her through the barrage of noise in the casino.
“Let’s fix that.”
“No way.”
“Come on, baby, loosen the purse strings a little.”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“We’re leaving in the morning. We have to get back, or we’ll lose Parker.”
She smiles. “Can’t have that.” She looks around skeptically. “I just don’t think I’m a gambler.”
“Then we won’t do anything risky.” I pull out my wallet and slide a hundred at the dispensary window attendant in exchange for some chips.
“That’s a hundred dollars.”
My wife still does our grocery shopping, she still buys our kids clothes at TJ Maxx. She’s frugal with our millions, and the irony is she brings home enough salary to support us all. I love that she’s a cheap millionaire. I love that she’s fretting over a hundred dollars.
“One bet,” I tell her, handing her the chips.
“Just one?”
“Yes.” I scan the room. “Over here. Roulette.” I guide her to the table. “Red or black. Easy choice.”
“What do you think?”
I tug a strand of her hair. “My bet will always be on red.”
“God, you’re awfully romantic tonight.”
“Just wait until I get you alone again. That dress is a one and done. I’m going to make sure that fucker rips.”
“Damn,” she whispers, squeezing my hand as we side up to the roulette table.
“Okay,” she chews her lip, “let’s bet on Dante’s birthday.”
“Sounds good.”
“Five on red?” She looks at me for guidance, and I nod before she places the chip on the table. In seconds, we lose a hundred dollars. I laugh as she curses under her breath. “I don’t see how people do this. That used to be a fortune to me.”
“Me too.”
“Still is,” she says as we step onto the escalator.
“I love that about you.”
She stares down at me, perched on the mechanical steps, and we share a look that says it all. Neither of us thought this life would be ours. I take her hand and kiss it. “I know.”
By the time we make it to our seats, the arena is mostly full. Theo and Laney are there to greet us.
“Hey, man. Can you believe this shit?” Theo and I do the man hug.
“He deserves it,” I say honestly.
“No argument there,” he says, looking around the packed arena.
Since we’ve graduated, Theo and I did little to keep in touch, but when Lance became a premier fighter, I decided to gift him with his own anthem and knew just the right maestro. Since then, he and Laney have come to a few of my games and even stayed at the house a couple times. Our new dynamic completely different than years before. He doesn’t even blink when I hug his wife in greeting.
“Another one!?” Laney says to Clarissa with one hand on her belly and another wrapped around her in a hug. “You look beautiful.”
“I feel ridiculous. This is a hoochie dress.”
“You look hot,” she insists.
“I agree,” I add, looking her over with the lust I feel. “So fucking hot.”
“Me too,” Theo says, the next in line to hug Clarissa. We take our seats, and I scan the crowded room.
“Crazy, isn’t it?” Theo says, reading my thoughts the seat over.
“Wouldn’t change a fucking thing,” I say honestly.
“Me neither.”
“I have to pee,” Laney belts breaking the sentiment, and we both chuckle.
“I’ll go with you,” Clarissa offers. “I’m sure I’ll have to again by the time we get there.”
Before they’re out of sight, I grab my phone and shoot off a text. A few seconds later, Clarissa reaches into her purse and looks back at me with glassy eyes.
Troy: No need to gamble when you’ve already won the lottery.
Clarissa: I love you so much.
Harper
Standing just behind Lance and his crew, he shakes his arms out and rolls his shoulders before turning back to me. I’m sweating from head to foot in my tight-fitting dress and pray he can’t see the nerves on my face, but of course, he does.
He gives me a slow wink. “First knockout of the night.”
I bat away the compliment, too worried about how he’s feeling. “You’ve got this.”
“As long as I’ve got you.”
And that’s all it takes to straighten my spine, pride filling me where doubt just threatened. We’re stronger than we’ve ever been. The last few years, especially this one, has been insane. I’ve danced in a few shows, in addition to being ringside at all of Lance’s fights. His earnings as a heavyweight have relieved most of his burdens.
But it hasn’t been easy.
We’ve missed each other to the point we’ve had a few fantastic fights that led to the most incredible make up sessions. But fighting across the miles isn’t easy, either. But we have what it takes now to make it through. We now consider those tumultuous days at the ranch the ten days that made us.
And they truly did.
We hold absolutely nothing back from the other, even if it causes problems, even if it hurts, even if it tests us, and on the other side is a closeness I’ve never felt with any other.
Lance splits his time between the circuit, the ranch, and New York while I split my time between the stage and wherever he lands. It’s been hard, and wonderful, and paid off in spades. But nothing in the world, no stage, no spotlight could keep me away tonight.