Fall Black In Love 1: When Henry Met Millie Page 7

  Henry smiled. “I just want to make a pretty girl happy.”

  “You’re the best Henry.” She patted his sleeve. “Can I get five more minutes? Please?”

  Looking at his watch, he blew out a breath. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She smiled at him again. “Don’t forget this is a secret.”

  “I know…”

  Five minutes stretched into twenty and Henry found himself running late for Millie’s game. The parking lot was full so he had to find street parking. Hurrying to the park, he bought his ticket and quickly made his way to the stands. He was just in time to see her walking up to the plate.

  He could see focus, determination and…anger on her face. Looking up at the box score, he saw that the pitcher for the other team had struck out the first two batters on Millie’s team.

  “Go Honey!” Henry turned at the sound of the roar and spotted Bill across the bleachers.

  Turning back to Millie, he watched her get into her stance. When the pitch came, she made contact and fouled the ball back. Millie stepped away from the plate as the pitcher was thrown a new ball. She lifted her head to take a breath and her eyes lit on him. Henry held her gaze for a split second before she went back to her game.

  Henry felt his heart stop. Clearly she was upset with him, which was understandable. He shouldn’t have been late to her game although she’d find out the reason soon enough. The next pitch came and Millie got on base, however the next batter struck out and she returned to the infield. Her team managed to get through the next inning and she returned to the dugout.

  Taking her seat on the bench, she peeked out and saw Henry. He looked handsome as ever and she wrinkled her nose.

  “Be nice Honey. He’s here,” Irma said sitting next to her. “That was a good hit last inning. I think the next at bat you’ll get her. That girl pitches fast!”

  Millie turned to her. “Yeah, she’s the fastest we’ve faced.” She looked back out at the crowd.

  Irma laughed. “I doubt he’s going anywhere Honey.”

  “I haven’t seen him for a few days,” Millie explained.

  Irma leaned in. “You let him make it to first base?” she asked quietly.

  “Irma.”

  “Or did he slide into home already?”

  Millie turned to her frowning. “Baseball metaphors?”

  Irma looked into the crowd at Henry then back at Millie’s flushed face. “Not yet, but you’re ready.”

  “You been to the clinic Honey?” Irma asked.

  “The clinic for what?” Millie asked confused.

  Irma moved closer. “Look Honey, you’re like my little virgin sister, so I’m going to give you some advice so you don’t end up like Maggie because I know you don’t want that.”

  “Your feelings are clear as glass for the guy and there’s nothing wrong with that. Go to the clinic on campus and talk to them about some type of birth control,” Irma told her.

  “I’m not going to have…” Millie began.

  Irma gave her a look. “You are Honey. It’s all over your face. All he has to do is make the right moves.”

  Millie looked away as memories of Henry on her bed flooded her mind. Each night since, she’d dreamed of him being there with her.

  Irma took her hand. “It’s not a bad thing Honey. It’s a good thing.” Irma smiled wickedly. “A very good thing.”

  “Promise me you’ll be responsible. Most girls expect the guys to do it, but you’ll be the one taking care of a baby.” Irma released her hand.

  Millie nodded. Although Irma could be a pain, Millie could always count on her to tell her the truth and she appreciated that. Irma was not ashamed of her ‘experience’ and took care of her business at school, work and home. Millie admired her for that.

  The women hit the field in the last inning of a scoreless game. At Millie’s next bat, she could hear the crowd behind her cheering her on. Taking a deep breath, she stepped up to the plate. In her mind, she heard Henry’s voice in her ear…relax and watch the ball.

  Lifting her bat, she focused on the ball. When she swung and heard the crack, she froze as the entire crowd went silent. When it landed over the fence, the bleachers erupted. Millie screamed as she began to run around the bases. Pointing at the crowd as she crossed each one, she jumped on home plate and her teammates surrounded her, making her disappear in the huddle.

  When she emerged, the fans cheered and she walked over to the bleachers removing her cap. She gave her bow then looked up at Henry and smiled as he clapped for her. Putting a hand to her lips, she sent him a kiss. He smiled down at her as Bill watched from the other side.

  The team headed to the locker room laughing and screaming. The bleachers started to clear as a celebration party for the team was planned back at the college. Henry waited since he would drive Millie to the party. The school had decided to give the girls a party regardless of a win, to thank them for their hard work.

  Bill approached and Henry looked up. “Hey Henry.”

  “Bill.”

  “You waiting for Honey?” Bill asked.

  Henry nodded. “Yep.”

  Bill smirked. “I guess I’ll see you at the party then.”

  “I’ll be there,” Henry responded.

  Henry watched Bill walk away and continued to wait for Millie. Fifteen minutes later, she emerged and he held out his arms to her which she walked into and placed head against his chest.

  “Congratulations Millie! I’m so proud of you.” Henry hugged her tightly.

  She glanced up at him. “I guess the practice did help,” Millie admitted waiting for him to kiss her.

  “I told you,” he bragged then stepped back distractedly looking at his watch. “We should go.”

  Millie watched him closely. “You were late for the game.”

  Henry lowered his head. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Come on Honey! The star needs to show up at the party.” Her teammates called heading to the parking lot.

  “Let’s go. You don’t want to miss your party,” Henry told her and she agreed slowly.

  He took her hand and led her quietly to where he’d parked. For the life of her, Millie felt that something was off. Henry wasn’t acting like Henry. She pulled away as they reached the vehicle and turned to him.

  “What is it?” she demanded.

  He looked confused. “What is what?”

  “What are you hiding? You’re acting strange and you were late for the game!” She accused.

  “How am I acting strange Millie? We’ve seen each other for all of five minutes.”

  Millie folded her arms. “You tell me you don’t want to see me because I need to focus, then you show up acting like I’m a stranger or something!”

  Henry opened the car door. “Don’t do this Millie. Let’s go to your party.”

  Fuming Millie climbed inside and stared out of the window while he climbed in the other side. Henry placed the key in the ignition and paused.

  “Millie, we’ll talk later.” Henry promised.

  He reached into the back seat and produced a large bouquet of flowers. “These are for you.”

  Millie looked over as he handed her the bouquet of roses. She put them to her nose and inhaled the sweet fragrance. “Thank you Henry.”

  “There’s nothing wrong Millie,” he assured her. “I want you to enjoy your victory tonight.”

  She stared at him for a long moment then looked away. “You didn’t even kiss me,” she said quietly.

  Henry turned her face back to his. “I’m sorry, it’s been a busy day.” He stared at the plush pillows that formed her mouth.

  “May I kiss you now?” he asked.

  Millie pouted. “Do you want to?”

  Henry sighed. “Pretty woman you know I want to kiss you.”

  She leaned forward and Henry kissed her like a man who hadn’t seen his girl in three days. In a flash, she was on his lap in the driver’s seat with her arms around his neck and his tongue inside her mouth. His h
and started at her waist then moved up to cup her breast and she drew in a sharp breath.

  “Henry…” Millie breathed against his mouth as he gently caressed her. His mouth on hers prevented any more words until a horn honked bringing them both to reality again. Millie’s chest rose and fell as she glanced at the flowers, now forgotten on her seat.

  Slowly, Henry turned her face to his. “I missed seeing you Millie.”

  She smiled feeling his erection underneath her. “I believe you.” She wiggled on his lap as he buried his face in her neck.

  “Let’s go Millie,” he breathed against her soft skin. “I only have so much control and you have a crowd of people waiting for you.”

  “I like it right here, just fine.”

  Henry kissed her again. “I like it just fine too, but you have somewhere to be.”

  She pulled back. “I can see you tonight? The game is over.”

  “You can see me every night,” he confirmed.

  Reluctantly Millie returned to her seat while Henry closed his eyes to calm himself. A few minutes later, he started the car, drove to the school and parked in the lot.

  “Have you been here before Henry?” Millie asked since he’d taken a short cut to get there and knew exactly how to get to the gym area.

  He nodded as he parked. “Yes ma’am.”

  Henry hopped out the car and Millie wondered why Henry had been to her school. He’d never picked her up from here before.

  He helped her from the vehicle and she spotted her coaches waiting outside waving for her to join them. “Go ahead, I’ll see you inside.” Henry told her.

  Giving him a quick smile, she headed towards the group. On her way, she passed the Student President.

  “Congratulations Honey!” she shouted.

  “Thanks,” Millie replied as they passed one another. As Millie walked she heard Helen speak again.

  “Henry, I’m so glad you’re here! I think I left something in your car earlier. You were in such a hurry I couldn’t catch you.”

  Millie stumbled as she came to an abrupt halt. She turned to where Helen was now at Henry’s car. Her eyes caught his then narrowed.

  “Millie!” Henry called as she turned and walked past her coaches into the building. Dazedly she stomped inside and walked over to a table placing her hands on the top trying to stop her heart from racing so fast.

  “Congratulations Honey,” a male voice said to her and she turned.

  She recognized him from the bleachers.

  “Thank you,” she returned.

  He stuck out his hand. “I’m Bill.”

  Millie shook his hand briefly. “Hi Bill.”

  He smiled. “I come to all your games.”

  “I’ve seen you.”

  Both looked up as Henry entered the building. He spotted them then stood by the wall with his arms folded.

  Bill turned back to Millie. “Maybe I can get a dance with you later?”

  “Uh, I don’t think I’ll be dancing Bill.” She glared over at Henry. “In fact, I may not be staying that long.”

  Bill followed her gaze. “Okay Honey, I’ll be around.”

  Irma had been inside when Honey entered looking frazzled. She’d then watched as the stalker had approached Honey, then an angry Henry had rushed inside. What the hell was going on? She was about to find out.

  Walking to where Bill was trying to talk Honey’s ear off, Irma grabbed her friend. “I need to talk to you.” She then turned to Bill, “Excuse us, I need Honey right now.”

  Irma walked away holding on Millie’s arm. “What the hell is wrong?”

  Millie bit her lip. “Henry…”

  Irma glanced to where he was still standing on the wall watching Honey. “What about him? He’s right there.”

  “He was with Helen today,” she choked out.

  Irma looked confused. “Helen who?”

  “Helen, Irma! Helen the Student President!” Millie snapped.

  “Who told you that?” Irma questioned.

  Millie looked away. “She did. She came up to him in the parking lot.”

  “What did he say?” Irma asked.

  Millie threw her hands in the air. “What can he say?”

  “He can say that you need to let him explain what’s going on,” a southern drawl answered.

  Both women turned to him.

  “Were you with her today?” Millie questioned without preamble.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Irma watched the pair.

  “Is she the reason you were late to my game?” Millie now demanded angrily.

  “Yes ma’am. She needed a man….”

  Millie’s eyes widened with hurt before she cut him off. “How could you do this Henry?”

  Before he could answer, Helen’s voice came across the microphone.

  “Okay everyone, Honey is here so we can get started with the celebration.”

  She smiled at the crowd. “First of all congratulations to the Lady Tigers on their first championship!” The crowd clapped and cheered as Henry stared at Millie.

  Helen continued, “We want to thank the school for providing the funds for the beautiful party. Thank you to the coaches for their hard work and dedication and all the volunteers that pitched in to support the team.”

  Millie watched as Helen smiled down at Henry. “And last but not least, Henry Patterson. He’s not even affiliated with the school, but he came and asked what he could do to help our Lady Tigers and believe me I put the man to work.” She laughed along with the crowd.

  “Henry has donated his money and time over the past three days helping us to get everything together and because of his generosity, we were able to purchase a specially designed trophy for our MVP! So I’m going to ask Honey…I mean Millie Gaines to come up and get her award.”

  Irma and Millie stood in shock as Henry stared at Millie. “There’s your answer. Congratulations,” Henry told her.

  He turned and walked away as Millie was summoned to the front. She could barely withhold her tears as she accepted the beautiful trophy that was nearly as tall as she was. Helen gave her a hug.

  “Great job Honey! We’re so proud of you.”

  Millie nodded slowly. “Thank you Helen.” She turned to the waiting crowd. “Um, thank you so much for all of your support during the season. I can’t take credit for this really big trophy all to myself. I have a great team and I loved playing with you.” She paused as she caught a glimpse of Henry walking out the door. “Thank you again.”

  Millie took off running towards the door. Outside, she looked around and saw him heading to his car.

  “Henry!” She ran to catch up with him.

  He kept walking. “What can I do for you Millie?”

  She grabbed his arm. “Stop! Please!”

  He stopped and looked down at her.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.

  “It was a surprise for you.”

  Her brow wrinkled. “But how did you know I’d win?”

  “Because you’re the best, Honey,” He turned and began walking again. “Goodnight Millie.”

  Millie stood stunned at his declaration. The next thing she knew, she was looking at his taillights.

  “You okay Honey?”

  Millie turned quickly to find Bill.

  She shook her head slowly. “No.”

  “Can I do anything?” he asked.

  Millie looked at him. “No, but I know who can.”

  Bill watched as Millie ran into the building. He smiled to himself. It seems there was some trouble in paradise.

  Millie found Irma sitting at one of the tables with a guy. They were smiling at one another as they talked.

  “Excuse me, Irma I need you!”

  Irma continued to smile at her companion. “Uh, Honey can it wait?”

  Millie shook her head. “No!”

  Finally, Irma turned to her friend and saw the water in her eyes. “Awww Honey, what happened?”

  “I need a ride, pl
ease!”

  Irma sighed. “Girl, you owe me big time!”

  Saying goodbye to her acquaintance, Irma stood and walked with Millie out to her car. Millie gave her the directions and they took off. When they arrived, Irma reached into her purse and pulled out some square packages. She placed them in Millie’s hand and Millie looked at her.

  “He’s mad and you’re sad…good sex erases both,” Irma explained. “Just in case.”

  Millie hugged her. “Thank you. I do owe you one.”

  When Millie reached Henry’s door, she took a deep breath and knocked. A minute later, a shirtless Henry answered the door. His pants were beltless and rode low on his hips. She looked up as he placed a hand on the doorway and stared down at her.

  “Not a good time Millie,” he told her.

  “I want to talk to you,” she said quietly.

  Henry shook his head. “Not in the mood for talking.”

  Millie placed her hand against his bare chest. “Okay. We don’t have to talk.” She lifted on her toes to touch her lips to his.

  “Are you going to make me stay out here?” she whispered when he didn’t respond.

  Henry watched her as he stepped back and allowed her inside. She crossed the threshold and he slammed the door shut before lifting her into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. Millie held on to his naked torso as he placed her back against the door.

  “Millie…” Henry gritted out before he attacked her mouth. Millie felt his arousal rubbing against her as he pressed her into the door. She tightened her legs around him before joining in his mouth play. Together they enjoyed one another against the door until Henry slowed and looked down at her swollen mouth.

  “You took my flowers,” she whispered.

  “They’re in the kitchen. You want them?”

  She touched his face. “I want you Henry Patterson.”

  Chapter 9

  “I want you pretty Millie,” Henry said quietly. “But, I haven’t even taken you on a proper date yet.”

  Millie felt her heart melt at his thoughtfulness. “I’m sorry Henry...for tonight.”

  Henry carried her over to the sofa where she sat on his lap straddling him and Millie touched his face. “You had every right to be mad at me,” she said quietly.