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The flight from Houston to Oklahoma City took less than an hour and a half. Alex’s dad would be at the bar. He always waited in the bar. Beer and nuts while he ran over plays in his notebook. He still used pen and paper. No matter how many electronic devices Alex gave him he refused to progress into the idea of technology. She made her way down the escalator. From her viewpoint the back of his head was easy to pinpoint. Yup. His hair was less and less full each year.
“Hey, Dad.” Alex tapped him on the shoulder.
“Alexandra.” He tipped his cheek for her to kiss. That was the extent of their warm reunion. It had been several months since she had visited but it didn’t matter, her dad was not giddy and he didn’t do hugs.
He took her backpack and slung it over his shoulder. “You fly back tomorrow?”
“Yea, I don’t want to risk anything and I’ll be reporting live on Sunday.”
“How about that? Did Cane arrange that interview for you?” He clicked the remote and they both got into the Suburban. It was maroon. Everything that could have a color choice was maroon for her father. He had coached for the University of Oklahoma for twenty years.
Alex squinted her eyes. She wanted her dad to be proud of her on-air interview. “Yes, apparently Max is a neighbor of his parents. I asked him not to call in any more favors for me.”
“That’s a nice favor. Max Argyle never gives interviews.”
“I know.” Alex took in the view. It was similar to Houston but not as big. They drove up to the circle drive in front of the twelve thousand square foot house. Home sweet home. Alex’s chest tightened. Had Cane been here? No, they had gone to lunch. Probably Ray’s BBQ, her dad loved their brisket.
They made their way into the house and Alex headed for her room. Everything was the same as the day she left for college. Her dad wasn’t happy about her choice but UT had a better journalism school than OU. Everyone knew that. She dropped her book bag on her bed and logged onto her laptop. Fifteen emails flashed up at her. She scanned through them.
“Great job! The network wants to meet with you tomorrow at 3 p.m. -Mason”
Alex’s eyes bulged out from their sockets. Crap. She would need to fly back earlier than she had planned. She logged into United’s website and changed her flight. The only option was ten a.m. They would barely be able to have breakfast. Alex responded to her boss. Obviously, she would make the appointment. She almost wanted to return to the airport right now. But she did want to talk to her dad. It was odd that Cane had spoken with him and had somewhat of a heart to heart. Her chest tightened. A conversation with her father that didn’t revolve around football would be nice for a change.
Her phone buzzed inside her purse.
“Are you there?”
“Surrounded by lots of maroon. Red River Rivalry paraphernalia you want me to take pics?” Alex laughed. He definitely wouldn’t want pics. All four years he was the quarterback of UT they lost to OU.
“I guess you could have gotten there sooner if Oklahoma didn’t suck. Pics of you yes. RRR hell no.”
A smile formed on her lips. “Oh wow, my dad just read your text over my shoulder...I guess your lunch dates have been suspended.”
Alex left her phone on her bed. Enjoy that Rookie. She went in search of her dad. It was time for a chat. She had lied to Cane about him being sick. It was Alex who was sick. Homesick. She needed and wanted some quality time with her dad.
The house was huge. She could get in serious cardio if she looped the entire thing. Alex never understood why they had such an enormous house when it was only the two of them. But it was what it was. Being the coach of OU meant a large salary. Her dad was one of the best coaches in the nation.
He was at his desk. Did he ever rest? Alex knocked on the office door. The room was painted a maroon color and his leather chairs matched. “Hey, want to grab something to eat?”
“There is some food in the fridge.” He didn’t glance up at her.
“I was thinking maybe we could go out? What about Ray’s?” Alex’s chest tightened.
Her dad put his pen down and eyed her. “Yea, brisket sounds good.”
Alex’s mouth curved up into a smile. “Ha, I know your weakness.”
His brow furrowed. “No weakness. But I do have questions about yours.”
“Mine?”
“Yes, you write scathing articles about Cane Clayburn and the man is inviting me to lunch? Is this a ploy on his part? What’s going on with the two of you?” He got up from his desk.
Alex eyed the floor. She had never had a guy chat with her dad. No one had ever met him other than at the stadium. Her dad was hands off and had a hands-off-his-daughter motto.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? A man does not fly to have lunch with a father for nothing. Obviously, he is into you. Which I care about only if you are into him.” His head cocked to the side.
Alex shook her head. “I’m into my career right now. I have an important meeting with the network at three tomorrow so I have to leave earlier than I had planned.”
Her dad nodded his head and ran his finger over his jaw. It was clean shaven. He never had a five o’clock shadow. Ever. “That’s great, Alexandra. I’m proud of you.”
But was he or was he proud of Cane’s connection with Max? Her dad was a fan of Max Argyle just as much as she was.
***
"Good morning soon-to-be-fiancé."
Alex scanned the message. He was so ridiculous. At some point she wondered if she responded with full-fledged adoration would he retreat. Maybe she would try that. No. Alex had too much self-respect to consider that further. Her stomach clenched. She did. She did have self-respect. It wasn’t like she forgot. She hadn’t but maybe she could let it go? Second chances and all that good stuff. No. Alex shook her head and sent a toilet emoji back to him to let him know they both knew he was talking shit.
"Wow, we've moved to the step in our relationship where you feel comfortable going to the bathroom in front of me. Nice."
Arg. No. She would never go to the bathroom in front of him. If she were with Cane, she would hit him. No. If he was in the room right now, Alex would utilize his body in other ways. So many other ways.
Her phone vibrated again. "Or are you thinking about me and you in the bathroom together at Perry’s and pleasuring yourself?"
Of course, he would take it there. Well, she would too and Alex wanted to, badly. "Is that what you're doing, Corn Fed?"
“Is that your subtle way of asking for a dick pic?”
Alex’s mouth dropped open. No, she wasn’t but—another text message popped up. A photograph of the most exquisite cock she had ever laid her eyes upon. It was hard and she wanted it in her mouth or thrust deep between her thighs. Her downtown area tingled. Fuck. If only they were in the same town at this moment. No doubt he would drive over and make her cum. Alex dropped her hand down to the apex of her thighs. Even without a finger inside her she knew she was wet. Cane made her wetter than she had ever been and he wasn’t even in the room. But his photograph was. On her phone. In her hand. She glanced at it and ran her fingers over her clit. Softly, at first. It was important to begin with a light touch. If she or anyone else started with too much pressure it threw her entire orgasm off. It was almost like foreplay in itself. It had to be soft and slow. Work up to the more intense circles. Apply pressure with skill. There was a method to it. Alex didn’t have five orgasms daily because she was Rookie of the Year. No, she was the MVP of orgasms. Sometimes at work if she was not motivated to complete an article she would retreat to the ladies and give herself an orgasm. It was no surprise that the increased serotonin levels in her brain created better articles. Words strung together in a rhythmic motion after she had reached the perfect O. Alex stroked her clit. She didn’t travel with her vibrator but it wouldn’t matter. There was something so pure and organic about an orgasm that was achieved via her fingers versus an electronic device.
Cane’s cock was so big. Alex eyed the photo in her hand. If only he were here. Her heart skipped a beat and her chest tightened. Dayum. The vein on the side of his erection was almost as big as some actual erections she had seen. Her mouth opened. His cock tasted great. She loved the way it slipped down her throat. When she returned to Houston, she would finish the blow job she had started with him. Alex wanted to swallow his cum. It would be creamy and the right amount of salty goodness. She was a hundred percent on this. Alex’s fingers increased in speed and the trickle began down her arms and thighs. Pulses of pleasure circulated through her veins. Cane. Cane. Cane. All the way. Faster. Harder. She increased her twists. Her turns. Her fingers rubbed along her clit until her veins delivered the most intense orgasm. Alex breathed a yes. Dayum and he wasn’t even here.
***
Navy blazer. Check. Red blouse. Check. Navy skirt. On. Alex was ready for the meeting. She made her way into the studio office and let go of all her insecure thoughts. She was going to tackle this interview like the MVP of the Super Bowl. Yes. This was it. Her big game. If Alex handled this interview like her spot with Max it was a done deal. This is what Mason had said on the phone. She passed through the glass double doors and was met by a woman and man. They both clapped with enthusiasm and their giant smiles displaying shiny bright teeth.
“Alex...or do you prefer Alexandra? Jeff, what do you think, Alex or Alexandra? Which one is more trend worthy?” The woman turned her head and focused on the man who wore a plaid shirt and bow tie.
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Alexandra? Hmm...no. Alex. Yes. Alex. That works.” Jeff threw up his palms and the blond woman double high fived him.
“Yesss. Alex. It is so Alex. Oh...My...Freaking...Gawd. How could it be anything other than Alex?”
Alex smiled. This couldn’t be anymore awkward. She blinked to take in the scene. This was nothing like she had imagined. It was almost as if she were behind one of those mirrors that was really a glass window. The reality of her life as it played out before her; and she was not the main character.
The blond inspected her body. “Oh, fawk. Shiat. This is not good.” She shook her head.
“No. Defs, not good.” Jeff shook his head in the same repetition as the woman.
“No. No. No. Honey, let’s circle up.” The blond waved both of her hands to Jeff and Alex.
Alex stepped closer as if they had decided to break the fourth wall and include her in the performance.
“So...here’s the deal. You’ve got to drop some serious LBs if you want to be on the small screen.” The blond cocked her head to the right and nodded.
“True story.” Jeff rocked his head back and forth.
Alex’s insides crumbled. Lose weight? Her stomach clenched tight. The idea of her weight being an issue again was next level CPTSD. Why was she to continue on with this repeat of push and pull of possibilities of a success in her career only to be dashed because of one too many pieces of cheesecake? She hadn’t realized this part of the show was going to attack her on a level she thought she had buried a long time ago. She was a size six. Yes, maybe a curvy size six. But was that not good enough?
Hopes of happiness sank beneath her skin. She took in a deep breath as she contemplated the delivery of nostalgic bad news in the studio office. She pressed her fingertips together. As if she could shrink the dagger to her dreams. Lose weight? She was too fat for television? Alex swallowed. Her eyes filled with tears. Blink. Not again. She was a size six on a good day. How was this not okay? Back in college, yes, she had been overweight. Not the typical freshman fifteen, Alex had packed on freshman fifteen times four. It had taken her two years to lose those pounds. But she did it. Because of him. It had hurt too much to eat. She no longer sought out the comfort of food. It wasn’t until she lost all of it that she began to enjoy the taste of food again. Celery was her go to snack. Plain. Alex could go through an entire stalk in a day. He still had no idea. It was obvious. But she did look drastically different. That amount of weight loss does wonders for one’s appearance and self-esteem. Yet in an instant, she had been gob-smacked back to college. Too fat. Too many pounds. Too hard to lift. Too damn fat. Again. Alex pressed her lips together. She would do whatever it took. She wanted this job and nothing would stand in her way.
“Okay.” Alex nodded.
“Yesss, honey. Okay is right. Right now, you are a butter, ya know?” The blonde shook her head causing her hair to swing around her chiseled jaw.
“Butter?” Alex’s eyebrows raised.
“Yaaah, a butter. But her. Like people like your articles etc. but your face and—" She waved her hand over her body and poked her stomach. “And body...too much.” She tossed her hair. “Lose at least fifteen and you will drop the butter.” She winked.
“Totes agreed.” Jeff double high fived the blond. “Now, rush off to the gym and burn dem calories, yo. Tomorrow you are scheduled for sideline interviews.”
“Okay, will do.” Alex nodded and shook their hands. Too fat. Fine. She would lose the weight. No more ice cream. She wanted to be on-air. This was her dream. If it meant no more sweets and treats of the mouth then so be it. Well, there was one treat she could have that wouldn’t be too many calories. Cane’s cock. She needed it right now. Deep in her mouth where she could swallow his cum. If the calories were too much, she would work it off on him. It was time for some sexercise.
Call or text? She wanted to hear his voice but there was a piece of her that feared the idea of his voicemail. Text.
“Pre-game scrimmage?”
A lump formed in the back of her throat. Was that a stupid text? No, it was fine. He would like it. Or maybe not. Either way, his cock could clear the lump. She was sure of it.
“Home team advantage?”
A smile formed on Alex’s lips. The lips that would soon encircle his hard erection. “My place. Twenty minutes or I’ll have to sub you.”
“I can’t be subbed. Ever. Be naked when I get there.”
No problem. She made it home in record time and left the door unlocked. Alex was going to let him find her in bed. Maybe she would begin without him. She laughed internally.
Alex stripped off her clothes and tossed them on the chair in her room.
She climbed on her bed and ran her finger over her clit. Her phone was in her hand. She pulled up the image of Cane’s cock. The apex of her thighs tingled. With an ounce of courage, she snapped a photo of her thighs and sent it to Cane.
“You’re missing the kickoff.”
The snap of the latch to her apartment sounded and sent a vibration deep inside of her. A tiny sense of fear that it wouldn’t be Cane popped up in her mind but was quickly dismissed as his large frame crossed the threshold of her bedroom doorway.
“I can’t miss kickoff if I’m already on the field.” He flashed her a wide grin. His muscles flexed through his t-shirt.
“You’re late, Corn Fed.”
“I’m here now, that’s all that matters.” He threw his shirt over his head and onto the ground as he sifted his legs out of his jeans.
“I’ll answer that after we review your performance.”
“Great, after our seven minutes of cuddling.” His lips ran along her neck. “I like that you ran with my call on no clothes.”
“I was going to be naked with or without you, Corn Fed.” She reached down and stroked his cock.
“It would still be with me because you would be thinking about me. Tell me how many times you’ve looked at my photo.” Cane rubbed his erection against her clit.
“None.”
“What did I tell you about lying, sweetheart?” He circled his cock over her point of pleasure.
“Quit teasing me.”
“Tell me how many times.” He thrust the tip of his erection in between her legs.
Alex bucked her hips in an attempt to take Cane in. He pulled back. Alex’s hand grasped his cock. “Come on, the clock is ticking.”
“You know I like overtime.” His mouth met hers and their tongues twisted together. This was what she needed. A distraction. Her mind was swept away into a point of ecstasy and he thrust deep inside of her. Finally.
“I knew you wouldn’t hold out forever. Corn Fed, you put yourself in the danger zone. You were about to get traded out.” She wrapped her legs around his hips as he slammed into her harder.
“No subs.” He pushed deeper. “No extra players.” He was so deep she couldn’t speak. “Just us.” He lowered his mouth to her breasts. First, he sucked on her nipples, then he kissed each one with such intensity it threw Alex over the edge, slamming her into a crescendo of euphoria. A sensation akin to a million pieces of shattered glaciers splintered across her skin. Light made up of white and gold scattered in front of her eyes. Dayum. He rolled over and pulled her body into his. She let out a deep breath. Her heart raced in her chest. Cane patted her butt.
“Such a great ass. Plenty to hold on to. Nobody would fumble with this.”
Alex recoiled. Arg. She needed to get to the gym. “Ha, which is why I need to run. You’ve got to go.” She hopped up out of bed.
“We just worked out. Now we cuddle remember?” He pulled her back down to the bed and wrapped his arms around her.
“No, I can’t. I really have to run. You realize TV adds extra weight, which might be fine for a quarterback but not a reporter.” She wrestled out of his arms and made her way to the bathroom.
Alex threw on her workout clothes and found Cane in her living room. Cane raised his eyebrows. “Gym clothes and ice cream works for me.” He flashed her a white toothed grin.
She shook her head. “Just when I was beginning to think you had some brains up there, I have to use pictures to explain it to you. I’m going to run. No ice cream.” Alex grabbed a pen and paper and drew an ice cream cone then marked it with an x. She handed him the paper.
Cane laughed. “Fine, replay at my house tonight?”
“Hello, I am on-air tomorrow. If I were to stay at your house you would keep me up all night. No away games.” She opened her door and he followed her out into the hallway.
“Alright, sweetheart. I’ll make reservations for Masraff’s.” He pulled her in close and kissed her hard like it would be a year until the next time their lips would meet.
“No way. I have zero self-control and cannot walk in through those doors without eating the Chocolate Mouse Napolean.” She licked her lips. The berry infused whipped cream would be so much fun to lick off of Cane. No. No more desserts.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.” He tugged on her pony tail.
Alex laughed. “Not happening. Besides, I don’t ride with guys in cars unless the relationship is going somewhere.”
“That’s funny. You don’t need an escape plan with me.”
She did though. Alex couldn’t go all in with him, not again. “It’s not a joke.” It was true. Alex always had an out and that meant being behind the wheel of her own car.
“You’re a great writer but your stand up needs some work.” Cane slapped her on the behind.
Alex rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’ll see you on the sidelines.”
“I’ll see you for dinner.”
***
Alex regained her composure as the image of Cane faded in her rearview mirror. Too much. She shouldn’t have called him. It was like they were boyfriend and girlfriend and she couldn’t do that. Not with him. Being official with Cane would only mean heartbreak, she was sure of it. No. That would have to be it. Her chest tightened. Air escaped from her lungs. No, she couldn’t not see him. They would see each other. But not date. Alex let out a deep sigh. It was not meant to be. He had called the play in the huddle and changed it at the line. She couldn’t go through that again. Alex knew who the mike was in this relationship. Being tackled again was one replay at the down she didn’t want to repeat. Honesty was the only way to resolve this situation and the pain that burned against her chest. It was time to snap the ball.