“I agree,” Jake said, “that salmon was delicious.” He laughed, successfully avoiding Dominique’s swat at his face. “You were the best tasting dish on the menu,” he admitted, taking Dominique’s hand and walking to the door. “And just so you know... I’ll be coming back for seconds...” He kissed her neck. “And thirds...” He rubbed his hand over her butt, and squeezed. “And—”

“Jake, I have to go!” Dominique hurriedly finished and rushed out the door.

“Ha! You’d better run,” Jake said to her fleeing back. “Because you’re like an all-you-can-eat buffet and you make me want to throw down all day long!”

24

24

“Okay, team, listen up. For this week’s game, we’re going to a spread offense and a three-four defense: three linemen, four defensive backs, and four linebackers.” The boys’ eyes were glued to the board as Jake drew x’s and o’s to mark out each position. “We’re going to interchange this with the nickel defense we used last week. Aiden, you’ll switch with Matt and play right corner. Matt, you’ll be working with Shawn and the running backs. Kareem, you and the backups will work with him as well. Justin, you’ll stay at tight end and work with the backs, too. I want the defense to come with me. We’re doing special drills today.”

For the next ninety minutes the boys ripped up and down the field, repeating plays over and over again until they unfolded as if by second nature. October had brought with it cooler temps, but you couldn’t tell it by the stained, sweaty practice gear and smudged faces. Spirits were high as practice ended and the boys filed off the grass.

Jake sauntered into his office, using the towel around his neck to wipe sweat from his face. He reached into the mini fridge, pulled out an ice-cold bottle of water, and took a long swig. He plopped into his roomy office chair, glad that the practice had gone well but equally glad that the day was over. Between last night’s marathon sex romp with Dominique and the loving that continued at lunch today, the brothah was tired, but satisfied.

Shawn bounced into his boss’s office and also pulled out a cold bottle of water. “Wow, Big Mac, what got into you?”

Jake placed the bottle on the table, and turned on his computer. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know, but something about you was different at practice today. You seemed more fired up, happier. Did you finally take the fourth-grade teacher up on her offer?”