In the bathroom I dispose of the condom, take a piss, and then wash my hands. I walk back into my room and find my girl lying on her stomach, watching me as I climb onto the bed.
I stroke a hand up her thigh to her ass, squeezing it and then slapping it. Laken lets out a surprised squeak that then turns into a moan as I kiss her cheek and then bite it.
I kiss and lick a path up her spine until I reach her neck, nuzzling her until she squirms and giggles. “Stoopp… Please!” she squeals.
Laken rolls until she is snuggled against my chest and sighs happily. I kiss the top of her head and feel it the moment she falls asleep. I lay awake thinking over the last several months and realize I feel happier than I’ve ever been.
***
I stick my laptop, notebooks, and pens into my backpack. I sling the strap over my shoulder and am heading toward the door.
“Mr. Bateman? Can you hang back for a minute?” Professor Maxwell stands and moves around his desk so he can sit on the corner. “Have a seat.” I sit at the table in front of him.
I’m kind of nervous right now. My grades are phenomenal, so I know that can’t be it, but I don’t have any clue why I’m here right now. “Is there a problem?”
“Not at all. I’ve seen your marketing project, and I have to say I’m really impressed. Honestly, it’s the best marketing project I’ve seen from a student. I have a couple of contacts at Nike, and I’ve made some calls. They’d like a meeting with you, but you have to fly to Oregon. Is that something you’d be interested in?”
I’m in shock, and my heart starts to pound in my chest. “Yes, I’d definitely be interested. I always thought I’d want to work with a sports team, but this is great.”
“Now I’ve gotten you in the door, and it’s up to you to get them to hire you.” He hands me his contact’s name and number so I can call them.
“Thanks, Professor.” I stand and extend my hand.
“Don’t thank me; you’ve earned it.”
We shake hands, then I take my leave. I pull out my phone and dial my dad. He, of course, answers right away. “Hey, Son, how are you?”
“Good … no, actually, I’m freaking great. I just met with one of my professors. He’s so impressed with what he’s already seen of my marketing project and he’s got contacts at Nike. They want to meet with me.”
“Fuck yes, they do. My boy is brilliant. Where are they located? Would you have to move?” He fires off his questions and sounds like an excited kid.
“It’s in Oregon.”
Dad is silent for a moment, but then he speaks quietly. “I’m so proud of you, Son. I’d be so sad if you moved away, but I’d travel anywhere to see my boy. Have you talked to Laken yet?”
“No, but we’re meeting for lunch, so I’ll tell her then.” How is she going to react? I bet she’s going to be so happy for me.
“I’ll let you tell your mom. Again, Chance, I’m so proud of you. I love you.” My dad has never been someone who has had no problem showing my sister and me just how much he loves us.
“Thanks, Dad. I love you too.” I stick my phone in the pocket of my bag and jog across campus to where my girl is waiting for me. We’re both done with classes, and I want to spend the entire weekend buried deep inside of my girl.
My excitement to see her turns to worry when I spot her up ahead. She’s sitting at a table with her phone to her ear. Laken looks up as I approach and mouths, “Ava.”
“Okay, yeah.” She’s silent for a minute. “Are you sure I shouldn’t come with?” I sit and place my hand on her thigh. “I’ll meet you guys halfway. Yes, there. Love you, Dad.”
“My parents were going to take Ava to see my dad’s mom, but she’s running a fever. Grandma just finished a round of chemo, and they can’t take a chance that Ava could get her sick.” She grabs my hand, and I don’t miss the tears brimming in her eyes. “I know we were going to spend the whole weekend toge…”
I stop her from talking with a finger over her lips. “Let’s go get my car. We’ll go get the booster seat out of yours then go get Ava. You guys can spend the weekend at my place.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to cramp your style.”
Laken leans into my hand when I cup her cheek, placing her hand on mine. “If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have offered.” I stand and hold out my hand. “Now let’s go get our girl.”
Chapter Nineteen
Laken
Ava crawls onto Chance’s lap with two popsicles. “Hewe, Chas.” She hands him the orange one, keeping the red for herself. Smart girl, red’s the best. My baby has been running a fever since we picked her up yesterday.
I wouldn’t ever say it, but I was a little jealous that as soon as Ava saw Chance with me she wanted him to hold her, and he happily obliged. We took her to the walk-in clinic after we picked her up, and she’s got a viral infection, which means we basically have to wait for it to pass.
Last night the three of us snuggled on the sofa, watching the live action Beauty and the Beast. Chance was such a trooper, but Ava’s got him wrapped around her little finger. He’d give her anything she wanted.
Ava fell asleep almost immediately. I put a nighttime pull-up on her just in case and then put her in Chance’s bed.
Before I went to bed, Chance opened the wooden screen, blocking
