Page 87 of The Lockdown Mann

“Good game,” he tells me, a familiar, cocky smile on his lips. “Remember that time I scored on you? Oh, wait. I might have to be more specific, since I’ve done it more than once.”

“Only once today, asshole.” I try to pretend I’m more annoyed than I am because I love his playful confidence.

We’re both staring at each other as we go in for the one-armed half hug. The one that says bros, even though I don’t know if it was ever possible for the two of us to only be that.

Des pulls away first before giving his attention to Ree. “Hey. Good to see you again, Serena.”

“You too,” she tells him as Des goes in for a hug from her too. She gives it to him, then smiles at him before the four of us go inside.

“Desmond! Good to see you again!” Evander is the first to speak when we go inside. He shakes Des’s hand before he gets yet another hug from Sanaa.

The group of us all head out back. Sanaa’s left arm is trembling a lot today, and I have to fight not to have my attention drawn to it.

Evander is grilling, and we all sit around the outside table, laughing and talking while the food cooks. The conversation starts with the game and then moves into Ree’s charity work, Evander’s music—he plays the saxophone, something Des is more interested in than I thought he would be—followed by Sanaa’s baking.

“Oakley is my second-favorite baking buddy, followed by Ms. Tiana.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “We should try to do lots of baking together before the trial begins.” It’s supposed to make her incredibly tired, and they said some days it might be difficult to get out of bed.

“You know I’m down.” I give her hand a squeeze back. I don’t let myself look over at Des, feeling like I’m letting him down. I can’t let myself look at Sanaa either for the same reason.

“What do you like to do for fun?” Serena asks Des, and then the conversation smoothly transitions to him before the food is done and we all eat, Des again fitting in well with my family. Serena asks about his parents, when they might come to visit, and says maybe we can all get together when they do. My dad will be coming out during the offseason like always, so maybe we can do something then.

It’s not long after when Tiana, who is on the other side of me, leans in and says, “Daddy, I don’t feel so good.”

“Oh no. What hurts?” I place my hand on her forehead.

“My tummy. Can I go lie down?”

I nod. “I’m going to take T up to take a nap. She’s not feeling well,” I say before looking at Des. “You good?”

“Yeah. Go do your thing. I’m tight.”

“I can take her up,” Ree offers.

“I got it. You have fun hanging out.” She’s home more to do these kinds of things, so I want to be the one to do them when I’m here.

Evander and Sanaa dote on her for a moment before Des says, “Feel better, superstar. Next time I’ll challenge you to a game of Horse.”

“Deal.” She fist-bumps him before I take her inside and upstairs. She has a room here that she sleeps in when she stays the night, filled with all her things.

Tiana uses the restroom, and I get her some water before she climbs into bed, pulling the blankets over herself. “Will you stay until I fall asleep?”

“Yeah, baby girl. I promise. You know I’ll always be here for you, no matter what, right?”

“Yes,” she replies, eyes looking sleepy. “You’re the best dad there is.”

“I don’t know about that,” I say.

“I do.” She smiles, snuggles into the blankets, and closes her eyes. I stay here, on the edge of the bed, taking in every single one of her features, just as amazed by her as I’ve always been. It might not have been the best timing to have a child, but I’m thankful for Tiana every day. I wouldn’t go back and change anything.

I stay and make sure she’s good and asleep before moving the small trash can from the bathroom to set it beside her bed in case she wakes up and needs to be sick.

I head back downstairs, and as I turn the corner, I hear a sound in the hallway and look over in time to see Des come out of the bathroom. One quick glance outside tells me Sanaa, Evander, and Serena are all still sitting outside, lost in conversation. Tiana is fast asleep upstairs, so after one more peek that direction, I sneak down the hallway and give him a smile.

Des smiles, cocking a brow at me when I don’t stop until I have him back up against the wall. “You want something?”

“Yes. You. Been wanting to do this all day.” I lean in and take his mouth. I have no idea what’s come over me, what always seems to come over me when I’m with Des. It’s like I can’t help but want to touch him, taste him, to feel his steady support and strength and the almost high feeling I get from all things Des.

“Mmm. That was nice.” He places his hands on my hips. “You miss me?”