Free First and Ten by Michel Prince Page B

head fell against the wall next to
Dani.
    “Either open this damn door or I’ll open it
for myself, Jerome,” she drew out his name in a nasally way that
could kill any erection. Or so Dani assumed by the fact Rome’s
hardness that had been pressing against her was softening. Oh Dani
would be having to get a release from somewhere before the end of
the night and sadly, her Tuesday Treat would not be served by
Jerome Speed and between her thighs.
    “Don’t move and inch,” he commanded.
    “I can honestly say I don’t think I have the
core strength to pull that off.” No longer on a tiptoe and with her
leg unlatched from around his waist, she let out a sigh.
    “Give me two minutes, I’ll get rid of her.
This is going to happen.”
    She loved his optimism, but if this woman
could kill his arousal through a door, she assumed the night was a
wash. Dani did stay against the wall, more to find out why the city
of Chicago didn’t want them to sleep together.
    “‘Bout time,” the woman snapped when Rome
opened the door. She tried to walk in but he put his hand up to
stop her. “That’s how it’s gonna be. Fine, tell me what this shit
is all about, Jerome.”
    Papers flew at his face and Dani knew it was
time for her to at least get out of earshot. Down the hall, she saw
a kitchen and figured it was as good of a place as any to camp out.
Although Jerome’s home was in a classic Chicago brownstone and
she’d caught a glimpse of original craftsmanship on the spindles of
the stairs, the kitchen was fully renovated. The glass tiled
backsplash was a mix of a turquoise, khaki, and frosted white
rectangular pieces. With a subzero fridge, double oven and an
island in the middle of the room, the kitchen could be in a design
magazine. Not quite the warm earthy tones of her parents’ home, but
still Dani could tell Jerome used the room. Abandoned dishes were
in the sink and she couldn’t help peeking in the fridge. It was
full of healthy food, but toward the back she saw a glimmer of
orange that stood out.
    Pushing aside a gallon of milk, Dani grabbed
the orange soda and cracked the seal. The fake citrus smell brought
her back to days on the campground. Her family went every summer
and they had an old pop machine with glass bottles. Maybe it wasn’t
the time, but she was parched and needed something to calm down the
hormones rushing. Being reminded of grade school did the trick.
    Resting her arms on the soapstone counter
top, she looked out into his fenced backyard. There was a nice deck
and a small swing set. Dani could hear the woman at the door
screeching about how horrible he was, but Rome didn’t seem that way
to her. He had a kid and although she hadn’t seen any pictures or
toys around the house, the swing set made a statement. It was new
with a yellow plastic slide and two green swings. She could tell it
had never seen a winter.
    Retrieving her phone, she turned it on and
messages pinged. Rubbing her eyes, she wondered how people could be
so needy. At what point did how you dress take over the world?
    Shaking her head, Dani clicked on the Uber
app and called for a ride. She’d almost finished the pop and there
was no sign of slowing in the tirade from the front door. Luckily,
the app said a driver was close by. Now to retrieve her bag from
Jerome’s car and she would head home. Smoothing out her clothes,
she studied herself in the reflection of the glass in the window.
Her hair wasn’t a total disaster, but it did need a bit of
styling.
    The only way out was through the front door.
Past a woman Jerome had not only been with and was still in the
picture. Who would always be in the picture. What was Dani
thinking? Dating an NFL player that could have and probably has had
every woman in this city and the next. Dani would be just one of
many who’d passed through that door.
    With a buzz from her phone, Danika steeled
herself and made sure whatever came about she could handle. She was
William Albright’s