I yank my arm from his clutch. “Come see what we did for your kitchen.”
He follows without another word. I pull out a bar stool at the kitchen island for him to sit and begin to lay samples in front of him as I explain each choice. It all comes together like a puzzle in front of us, and I’m happy with the end result. I can’t wait to see how Leslie makes it happen. But Bryant is frowning. Shit. “You don’t like it.”
“No, it’s beautiful, Zhanna.” I can tell he wants to say more, but he refrains as an overwhelming sadness clings to him like a rain cloud. Leslie pours us another glass of wine and tries to pour the quarterback a lowball of scotch. “No, thank you,” he says.
Leslie lifts a brow. “You might need it. I’m putting on Grease, and then we’re going to sing and dance our drunk, beautiful asses off.”
Bryant changes his mind. “Leave the bottle.”
My friend turns to me and holds his hand for me to take. “Come on, Sandy.”
“Okay, Danny.”
And we do exactly as he said and dance our asses off. Bryant moves into the living room to watch and laugh at us. And before I can get to the part where Sandy brings Danny to his knees, I’m so drunk that I cuddle into my friend’s armchair and fall asleep.
“Up you go,” Bryant says and jostles me awake as he picks me up and carries me in his arms.
I manage to get one eye to open. “What’s happening?”
“We’re getting you home and in bed.”
“Night, boo boo!” Leslie yells as we walk through his front door.
“I love you,” I reply.
“Bitch, you better.”
I try to wave at him, but my arm is like a wet spaghetti noodle.
My ex chuckles at my attempt. “You’re the cutest drunk in the world.”
“You don’t have to carry me. I can walk.”
He pulls me a little tighter to his chest. “I know, babe, but I’ve got you.” He carries me to the house as I lay my head against his broad chest and shoulder. I doze off again before we reach my door. I’m vaguely aware of him reaching for my keys and then laying me on the bed. “You can’t sleep in jeans.” I pull the covers over me and snuggle into the sheets. He pulls it off. “You’re still wearing your shoes, Coach.”
He pulls my shoes off and the discomfort of cold air hitting my feet nudges me awake. “Cold,” I say as I sit up and pull at the covers again. I’m out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow.
“Baby,” he says and shakes me from sleep. “Take some aspirin and drink a glass of water for me.”
I sleepily comply and take the pain reliever before I lie back down. Bryant climbs into bed behind me moments later and pulls me to the middle of the bed. “In case you’re sick,” he says.
“Okay.” Then I pull his arm from his side and slide it around me.
“Z?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you remember this tomorrow for me? Remember that you wanted me close?”
“Yeah.”
“I love you more than life itself.”
— 13 —
Now
A LIGHT SNORE AT my back wakes me. I snuggle into Bryant as the morning sunlight streams through the window. The birds happily chirp outside until my mind fully wakes up and realizes Bryant is snoring at my back with his heavily-tattooed arm thrown across my middle. I throw an elbow into his ribs making him grunt in pain.
