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“No, honey,” he said. “I’m too nervous to put anything in my stomach.”
“He’s not here,” I blurted. “He’s at the club. I have my last show tonight. I thought you were my ride.”
“Oh. My timing is terrible.” He bobbed his head. His golden hair was thinner than his son’s, but the shade of blond was nearly identical.
“You’re fine. Though I wish you would have attempted to reconcile a long time ago. He’s your son.” My eyes flashed in accusation. “You hurt him.”
“I messed up.” He winced. “I’ve known that a long time. Your story resonated with me. I’m glad Champion has you in his life, someone to be his champion. The good Lord knows I failed him. His mother does too, rest her soul. My failure to be the kind of father to our son that I should have been is a burden I’ll always bear.”
Seeing the hurt and regret in his pinched blue eyes that seemed a mirror image of his son’s, I made a decision. “Life is unpredictable. We’re only given this moment with no guarantee of a next.”
“I know that’s the truth, especially after losing his mother. Will you take me to him?” Bruce asked. “Give me a chance to apologize?”
“I’ll give you a chance.” I let out a breath. “It’s up to him what he decides to do.”
• • •
Champion
I almost forgot to take the photo when Electra stepped onto the stage. She was gorgeous with her dark hair down.
Her silver gaze shining, she made eye contact with me. I felt our connection down to my soul. I clicked the button, knowing the photo would be a keeper like she was.
In the heels she’d been looking for earlier, she danced. The hem of the gauzy black coat she wore was a tease that fluttered around her ankles. The tune she’d chosen was “Only One” by Reem. The lyrics were about her lonely journey before we met. It had been my journey too before her.
She brought up her hands and ruffled the feathery collar, then blew on it before she removed the coat. Beneath it, she wore a black gossamer gown. The slit reached to the apex of her shapely legs and the lacy triangle of her thong. The bodice plunged between her breasts. Every time she bent her body, I saw her beautiful tits. Only pasties that shimmered hid her nipples from view.
The song was short, thankfully, since that meant less time for other men to ogle her. But her performance was riveting. Her kicks were high. Her leaps were higher. Her twirls were tight. Everyone stood and clapped when she finished, positioned at center stage where she had started.
As she surveyed the audience, the spotlight on her changed colors, bathing her in multihued light. A new song started. A more upbeat one, “Changes” by Tara George.
Ripping away her long skirt, Electra was left wearing only a scrap of material that reminded me of a gymnast’s bodysuit, only transparent. Her head moved from side to side, and her arms spread wide, she pirouetted. She leaped, her high jumps taking her in a rapid circle around the stage. I took the camera off the tripod, the motor whirring as I tried to keep up with her.
When she returned to the front of the stage, she wasn’t alone. Ally was with her in a provocative outfit that gave me palpations, but thankfully with only hints of her curves showing. On her other side was Ruby.
Electra stopped and stretched out her hand to me. The spotlight moved on, following Ally and Ruby. I clicked my camera back into the tripod and took the stairs two at a time onto the stage.
Reaching Electra, I grasped her tiny waist and lifted her high in the air. I didn’t have the moves she had, but she didn’t seem to mind. Following her example, I gave myself up to the music, letting her and it guide me.
We danced our way around the periphery of the stage, then left it. Ally exited a moment later, leaving only Ruby in the spotlight. The headlining position had been transferred.
The song ended, and the audience rose to their feet once more.
Holding hands, Electra and I emerged and took a bow.
I gathered her close. Her hands around my neck, she glowed brighter than the spotlight, and I knew she didn’t mind giving up her headlining position. I wouldn’t have minded ending my career for her, either. We made decisions together now. Ones that were best for both of us.
With her in my arms and my daughter nearby, I had the world. Football and everything else was secondary.
• • •
Electra
“I need to apologize,” I said preemptively. Stepping in front of Champion at the slider, I stopped him before he could enter the house.
“For what?” His brow furrowed and the slider behind him opened.
Hoping I’d made the right decision, my heart raced as his father stepped out.
