Page 84 of The Lockdown Mann

It’s better than nothing. This is different from Kane. Oakley has a child.

But he also has a best friend whom he had said child with and whom he used to be in love with. What if he realizes he still is? “That sounds like a good plan,” I say.

“I’m sorry, Des. I know this is fucked up. Especially after what you’ve been through. I don’t want to hurt you, but—”

“Shh.” We stop moving, and I press my finger to his lips. “It’s okay. I’ll tell you if it’s not.”

He nods slowly. “Okay.” And then we stand there staring at each other as the sky turns pink, before the sun shows her face.

He leans closer, so slowly that I’m not even sure he realizes he does it. I refuse to be the reason we’re outed, that he’s outed and looks like he’s cheating on Serena, so I clear my throat and we start walking again.

“Fuck, I nearly lost my head.”

“I do that to people.”

I don’t have to look to know he playfully rolls his eyes. “I’ve never been here. I thought every beach in Los Angeles County was packed unless it’s private.”

I wink playfully. “I’m good, baby.”

“You’re a cocky motherfucker, is what you are.”

“You love it,” I counter, expecting him to keep this game going, to have a sarcastic response, but he doesn’t.

“I do,” he says.

“I’m your cocky motherfucker,” I reply, because if he’s gonna be fucking sweet, so am I.

He moans low and deep, leaning into me, nudging my arm with his. I look his way to see him offering me a wide smile.

“You like that,” I say.

“I like you,” he counters, and yeah, I’m so fucked. The way my heart pounds, how big it feels, this is entirely new. This isn’t something I’ve ever felt before.

“Look.” I point to where the sun continues to rise. We stop and just stand there, watching the day wake up, pinks and yellows spreading across the sky, before it fades into blue.

“It’s beautiful.” Oakley’s arm brushes against mine.

I don’t reply, just take his wrist and pull him along with me toward the bend on the beach, tucking us away in the palm trees. “I told you I’d find a place to kiss you here. Can I kiss you, Oak?”

He answers by pressing his mouth to mine, slipping his tongue between my lips, and easing some of my worry. One day we’ll be able to do this in public. One day everyone will know Oakley is mine.

We spend a couple hours on the beach, swimming, splashing, and playing in the water together, before lying on towels on the beach before I have to leave for practice.

We go our separate ways, me opening my door when Oakley says, “Hey, Des?”

I look over at him to see him standing by his door too. “Yeah?”

“Thank you. For giving me a chance, and for somehow always being exactly what I need.”

It’s the best compliment I’ve ever been given, and I can easily and honestly say, “Always,” to him. Because it’ll always be Oakley for me.

*

Me: Can I see you after the game today?

It’s Sunday, and the game I’ve been looking forward to the most this season—playing against the Pulse. It’s different from our game in the preseason, and not because Oakley and I weren’t what we are to each other now. The preseason has a different feel to it, less at stake. There’s a sharp, electric rhythm in the air in the regular season that the preseason doesn’t have. It’s even more intense in the playoffs—and, if you ask the media, the Inferno are still just on the borderline of whether we’ll make it. But we still have time to go, and there’s no chance I’m not making the motherfucking playoffs.

Oakley: Serena and Tiana wanted me to ask if you wanted to come to Sanaa and Evander’s after the game. We’re having a cookout.