Chapter 30
The Russian and I were in different States this weekend ... him playing, me commentating. It was kind of exciting though. We texted each other, sent pics, had FaceTime, and we had no repeat performance of the last time he had been away and Lucas had made him sleep in the hallway. My colleague, Suzie, and I were both in Missouri to cover the Suns versus the Missouri Mystics first finals game, and we had separate hotel rooms. The Russian was in Ohio to play the Columbus Cats and he was sharing a room with Lucas, again.
Suzie and I went out to dinner and then she caught up with a friend for drinks while I declined the offer to join them, returned to the hotel room and showered. I slipped into bed with my ebook, waiting to hear from The Russian. After nine he FaceTimed me.
“Hello gorgeous,” he said, looking gorgeous. “Where are you?”
“In bed, alone, in my hotel room ... a big bed too. I’ll just have to take matters into my own hands while I think of you,” I said.
“Sorry, what was that Lucas?” he said.
“What!” I hissed, mortified, and he laughed.
“Just kidding Brooker, he’s in the shower.”
“Russian, you’ll pay for that,” I threatened him, breathing a sigh of relief.
“What are you wearing?” he asked. I scanned the phone down my front where I wore a white lace and somewhat see-through camisole. The Russian groaned.
“Well that’s hardly fair ... I have to share a room and now you’ve got me hard and I can’t do anything about it,” he complained.
“Poor you,” I said, smiling at him. Yep, two could play at that game. “Can I see it?”
He thought about it; the Russian wasn’t much for exhibitionism.
“No, just take my word for it. If I had my own room,” he said, again with a glance to the closed bathroom door.
“What do you think Lucas is doing in there?” I asked. “I bet he’s on the phone having a similar conversation with Mia.”
“Mm, maybe. Did you bring your pink toy with you?” he asked.
I gasped. “How do you know ...”
The Russian roared with laughter. “I don’t, but now I do.”
I think I went three shades of red. “This conversation sucks,” I said, trying to hide my embarrassment, especially since The Russian had gotten me again. He softened.
“I’m sorry babe, you’re right. I forbid you from servicing yourself, that’s my job. You will remain horny until I can deliver,” he said.
“Forbid, huh? Are you sure Lucas is in the shower?” I asked, trying to look over his shoulder in the screen image.
“Can’t you hear that bad singing?” he asked. “Ready for tomorrow?”
“I should be asking you that, but yes, I’m looking forward to my next commentary job. I’ve done my homework, so I’m feeling good about it. And you, sorted for the Cats?”
“Yeah, all good,” he said.
The Cats were on the bottom of the ladder, and The Saints towards the top, so I knew they weren’t going to struggle that hard for a win tomorrow.
“Friday night, it’s our anniversary,” The Russian said, “will you come over for dinner at my place?”
“Really? How romantic ... what anniversary?” I asked, confused.
“One hundred days,” he said, “since our first date ... I’m officially counting your Ball night as our first date.”
“Russian, how romantic of you,” I said, thrilled. Now he looked uncomfortable.
“So, will you?”
“I’d love to, thank you.” Just then the bathroom door opened behind him and Lucas appeared. I could see his naked chest, but the rest was blocked by The Russian’s head. I was guessing and hoping he had a towel wrapped around him.
“Hi Carla,” he called out.
“Hi Lucas,” I called back.
“So, got to go. Love you,” The Russian said in a quiet voice.
“Love you too,” I said.
“You’ve got my security team’s number ...” The Russian started before Lucas interrupted, talking in the background.
“Love you Carla, miss you, want to kiss you ...” Lucas said, imitating The Russian.
“Hang on a minute,” The Russian growled, and put the phone down.
I was laughing so hard that I could only just hear the commotion in the background ... some kind of tackling, then the door slamming, a lot of knocking. The Russian came back on the line.
“Sorry about that,” he said, and sighed.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“Threw him out.”
There was more thumping on The Russian’s hotel door, and even I could hear Lucas yelling out. “C’mon Russian, let me in, love you buddy!”
The Russian must have moved the phone away from his mouth because the next thing I heard was him giving Lucas a mouthful.
“Fuck off, Captain. You can come in when I finish.”
He returned to me. “The crap I have to put up with,” he mumbled. “So you’ve got ...”
“I have your security team’s number ... I don’t think anything is going to happen to me in a different State,” I said, reminding him that I wasn’t at home.
“You’ve got fans and followers everywhere, doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Don’t open the door, even if they say it’s room service,” he continued.
“But what if I order room service?” I asked, teasing him.
“Then ... don’t.”
“Right,” I said. “I love you, thank you for worrying about me.”
The knocking started again and Lucas hollered. “Are you finished yet? C’mon Russian, share the love.”
“I’m going to kill him,” The Russian said. “Talk to you tomorrow, miss you.”
I hung up, chuckling as I imagined the scene between the two of them. I wished he was in the big bed beside me. One hundred days, huh ... how sweet. He never stopped surprising me … but given what was to come, that was an understatement.