How long has it been since you’ve felt this way? Dominique couldn’t remember. Justin’s dad had been her college sweetheart, but Leland Clark had never caused the flutters that she felt now. When it came to her ex-husband and his many infidelities, she’d been more likely to feel heartburn or indigestion, and after the painful divorce, followed by Leland moving out of state and basically abandoning his son, all Dominique felt was extremely pissed off. It had taken her a while to get back into the dating game, and after a few blind dates and a very brief stint of online dating she’d met Kevin Patterson in a coffee shop near her sister’s house. A few short months later she imagined spending the rest of her life with him. Justin adored him as well and if it hadn’t been for the fact that an observant bank manager contacted Dominique regarding her account, and activity described as “suspicious,” he might still be in her life, stealing her money along with her heart.

A roar from the crowd brought Dominique out of her musings. She looked up to see the entire team run onto the field, congratulating their mates on a well-played game. It only took a few seconds of scanning to find Justin. Like his coach, he stood head and shoulders above most of the other kids. They almost look like... Dominique cut off the thought, refusing to entertain fantasies. She’d vowed not to seriously date anyone until Justin graduated high school. He’d been young when Leland disappeared and rarely mentioned his father, but he’d grown attached to Kevin, who’d treated Justin like a son. She’d felt badly about ending their relationship so abruptly and completely but for Dominique there had been no other choice. She’d learned from painful experience that the only thing worse than a philanderer was a thief.

“Mom!” Justin’s voice cut through the buzz in the crowd.

Dominique stood and waved back at him.

Justin waved for her to join him on the field.

Lord have mercy, Justin, please don’t make me come and stand next to that man. Dominique had purposely kept her eyes on her son and away from the massive hunk of fine standing next to him. Coach Mac. Dominique remembered the name Justin had repeated ad nauseum. Jake McDonald. The name of the ex-NFL football star introduced at the benefit flitted into her mind. As she tried to calmly make her way through the crowd to where her son stood she remembered something else—how long it had been since she’d scored a man, been touched down there, or drawn a penalty for holding. Her mind was dead set against it, but her body wanted to be tackled and pinned down by the man now melting her with his eyes.

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