Adriana
Damien wasn't kidding when he says they take hockey seriously.
The whole night him and Ethan have been yelling at the screen. Flavia only yells when the puck gets stolen. I think she's just glad to be included.
I wasn't shocked to know that Damien had a home theatre in his basement. In a house like this... I'm sure I'll find anything.
After dinner Damien gave me one of his other jerseys to wear. It also said Carvelli. It's massive on me and I'm not short for a woman I'm 5'10. Damien just a stupidly wide shoulders and large arms.
"I don't know what's going on," Flavia whispers up at me.
The whole night she's been glued to me. Damien thinks it's because there's no other girls, unless his sisters visit from Florida.
She sits on my lap, mumbling —what sounds like— magic spells.
"I don't know either, Princess," I whisper back
"Oh come on! This is why no one fucking likes you guys!" Damien yells
"King Daddy! That's $5 in the cuss word jar," Flavia exclaims
"Sorry, Princess," Damien quickly turns around kisses his daughter on the head
Damien's absolute weakness is his kids, especially Flavia. He's a great dad, the kids respect him but he shows it back. He's fun.
He's the dad every kid would want.
The game goes to break and both Damien and Ethan sit back down. Ethan's sweating and Damien's face is red.
"They're trash this season," Ethan groans
"I know. I'll get tickets for a Canadians game. We'll go on a weekend, I'm not gonna waste any of my money on these guys this season," Damien tells his son
"I'm tired," Flavia mumbles
"I'll put Princess Flavia to bed. I'm kind of tired too," Ethan suddenly jumps up
"Vous n'êtes pas rusé," Damien looks at his son
"Je vous aide, mon vieux," Ethan stands up and takes Flavia off my lap. "Goodnight Adriana, it was nice having you over."
I smile at Ethan, "Thank you for the invite. Goodnight, Princess Flavia."
"Goodnight, Princess Adriana. Next time you come can you bring those cookies?" Flavia asks from Ethan's arms
"Of course. They'll be fresh just for you," I wink at her. She plays a tired smile on her face before Ethan walks out.
"Votre fils est intelligent"
Damien turns and looks at me with pure shock,
"parlez français?" He asks with wide eyes
"I'm an ex military. Of course I speak french," I chuckle softly
"Oh right... Did you enjoy tonight?" he asks, fully turning towards me on the couch.
"As much as I could. I don't understand the game but it was funny watching you get mad," I tell honestly
"You'll understand it at some point. If you think you've seen me mad, you should see me at Ethan's games," he shakes his head, "I get thrown out all lot."
"You hot head," I shake my head and we both chuckle.
We fall into a silence and I watch the Damien look down in thought. The game has come back on but he doesn't turn his focus towards it.
"What?" I ask him
He shakes his head and looks up at me, "You know why you were invited?"
"Maybe," I shrug,
"I like you Adriana. Since the moment you walked into the meeting room last week. You've captivated me and I've never caught feelings for a woman as fast as I've caught feelings for you. We're not teens and I'm not gonna hide it from you, we've built a trust and I trust that nothing will change between us by me telling you this," he tells
"You're right Damien. We're not teens and I'll admit I'm attracted to you too," I say to him
"but?"
"but you're my boss. And you're older. So if something is gonna happen here, we've got to keep it professional. Got it?" I point at him with authority
"Yes, Sergeant," he nods and I roll my eyes. "Can I take you on a date during one of you free days?"
"Sure. But nothing formal. I like fun," I tell
"Good to know," he nods, thinking. He turns back to the game, but this time he stays calm.
His hand sits on the top of the couch and I can't help but grab it, looking at his palms.
"I used to weight-lift in high school and university. That's what most of those trophies and medals are upstairs." he tells
"You still weight-lift?" I question the obvious
"When I'm stressed," he answers
His calluses' are fresh. He has big hands that are rough, his fingers are think. His hand can easily crush mine if he tried.
"Why are you stressed?" I question rubbing his hand
"I was told that a new court date will be set soon. They say the actual day won't be for about a year, but my lawyer says he's sure that I'll loose the kids. Obviously he's trying to prevent that, but apparently their biological mother is getting clean... Also I'm trying to figure out how to go about Ethan and his little weed slip up," He sighs
"Have you figured out where he got it?" I ask
He leans back on the couch and sighs, "It's mine."
"What?!"
"It's mine. I'm an insomniac and stupid sleeping pills don't work so my doctor suggested I try weed. A couple of hits before I go to sleep and I'm out like a light. He must of found it in my bathroom or something. I don't think he knew I use it, but he's a teen, they carry that shit with them and he's possibly curious," he shrugs
"Does that affect anything in court? It shouldn't," I question
"No it doesn't. It's prescribed. Plus It's usually hidden so when the social worker comes for a check up it's no where in sight," he explains
He's tense again and I know this topic is stressful for him.
"I'm here, Damien. You can talk to me whenever," I tell him. His hand clasps mine and he kisses it.
"Thank you, chérie," he smiles softly. (Darling)
"Can you tell me more... about yourself? your family?" I ask
"Always. My mom was a French Canadian and my dad is Italian. They were never compatible, they were married a year before I was born, divorced when I was 2. My mom was a potter and an artist. She came to Toronto after the divorce to pursue her career but it never took off like she thought it would," he starts
his eyebrows are furrowed as he recalls memories.
"I was raised in Regent Park. My mom worked hard day and night to pay rent. My dad only sent money to send me to private school and pay for anything I needed. When I turned 10, I finally went to visit him in Florida... Imagine this. Me, a kid who's from one of the most dangerous hoods back in the day, getting off a plane in hot Miami, getting picked up by a chauffeur and taken to one of the most expensive neighbourhoods of South Miami," he chuckles
I can imagine a small Damien looking at the Palm trees with amazement.
"I spent the whole summer living luxury. I had new step-siblings. I cool step-mom and my dad. Before I left my dad promised that he'd bring me back, that Miami was my home and I believed it. I came back home with new shoes and clothes, but no mom. That summer I was gone, everything changed, my mom became a hooker? escort? I don't even know what," he shakes his head
"She was never home. So I called my dad. I told him that I needed to go back to Miami. And in one week I was on a plane, back to luxury. For two years I was happy. I had my dad my step-mom who I was calling mom and my sisters. Then my dad's law firm took off and my sisters left for university and then it was me again," his tone gets sadder with every word
"My step-mom was and is there for me. But my dad was always flying from state to state and city to city. When my stepmom ran for DA it was time for our family to start making appearances. And I was a teenager and just like any other, my body was changing. I was putting on weight and my father didn't like it," his hand slips out of mine and into his lap
"So he hired a trainer. My trainer was my best friend, he listened. He introduced me to powerlifting and that's when it started. I was in the gym, working out every chance I could get. Taking my anger out on the squat racks or the bench press,"
"It's become a habit I guess... but I went to school graduated high school with a D1 to LSU for weightlifting. Got my B.A in Political Science all while attending the Police Academy," He goes on
"How?" I ask with shock
"You can do a lot when your daddy's a successful lawyer and can fight in any case and win," he shakes his head in disbelief. "After a few years as a Miami officer I applied for an OPP position and the rest is history,"
"What happened to your mom?" I ask.
I wasn't prepared for Damien to pull me close to him. His big arm is wrapped around me, my legs hugged against my front as I curl into his side.
"I don't know. I never looked for her. She could still be in that old apartment in Regent Park, but who knows. I remember when she saw me packing she told me I'd end up like my father. She told me I was worthless and that she was glad I was leaving... If she meant rich and successful like my father then she was right, but she wasn't right about how I father."
"You're an amazing father, Damien," I say to him
"Thank you... what about your family?" He asks
"My dad is a General in the Air Force. He was never really around when I was younger, he was always away. My mom she died when I was born due to complications so the people who really raised me was Austin and Amanda's family. We grew up in South Parkdale, went to the local Catholic schools, did all the free extracurriculars that were offered back in the 90s. My dad put me in cadets and I had to be in it," I tell him
"After high school I immediately went into the Army. It's what I thought was my dream. but it's not. I still don't even know what my dream is, I just know I like helping people," I shrug
"My dad now is one year from retirement. I only visit him during Christmas and his birthday. He doesn't say much and when he looks at me he has this hurt in his eyes. I look like my mother, this beautiful black woman I never got to meet. He misses her, I know it. They were young. High school sweethearts who didn't have enough time," I frown
"I'm sorry," he says, rubbing my shoulder
"It's fine," I shrug
My dad and I have a minimal relationship. He's the only blood family I have left.
"When's the last time you dated?" Damien suddenly asks
"When I was in my early 20s, they weren't serious. Just a couple of soldiers lonely while on tour," I chuckle softly
"This'll be serious. I'll give you the world and show you the stars in more ways then one," Damien tells confidently
I look up at him with a playful grin, "You think you got game, old man?"
Damien smirks, "I know I got game. Have you ever been with a power lifter? We have big muscles. Like biceps," He flex's his arms and his shirt is suddenly tighter then before, on him.
"Quads, hams, abs... and one big one only some can see," he winks
"You're disgusting," I laugh while pushing him, "I bet it's small."
"You say that now... but whenever you're ready, what you think is small will be having you shaking and seeing stars."
My breathing stutters with every word Damien whispers in my ear.
"I don't believe you," I shake my head
"Your breathing says otherwise, chérie," He chuckles, "You're not ready. Once I'm in you'll never want me out."
Horny me and regular me are two different people. I don't know what Damien expects trying to talk all seductive to me, but I get bold.
"Be careful big man. Don't get me hot," I warn
"I'm just saying. I promise you, Adriana. I'll be the man you deserve. I'm like a modern day Tom Jones,"
"Tom Jones?" I ask with wide eyes
"You don't like Sir Thomas? What about Frankie Valli? My Eyes Adored You or Can't Take My Eyes Off You?" He questions
"Damien, your age is showing, sweetheart. Do you listen to any music that isn't from the 70s?" I question with amusement
"Boy II Men, New Edition. Or do you want more current? My boy Jack Harlow has some good songs, Drake, Trippie Red. Ethan just introduced me to this guy Nardo Wick. I know my music," He lists
"Nardo Wick? You listen to Nardo Wick?" I exclaim
"Yea. You know, 'We laid him down round 9-o'clock, you'll think he had a bedtime' listen to that shit when I workout," he raps
I let out a laugh, throwing back my head.
"Let her put my chains on now she think she me or something' 'I got Power, I got rank, I got status. I got killers, I got guns who want static?'" Damien continues to rap and I don't stop laughing
"Ok, baby. Your Regent Park side is showing and I wouldn't be surprised if you actually had killers," I cover his mouth.
Damien removes his hand and laughs with me. "I know people," he smirks.
"Of fucking course you do."
______________________________________
go white boy go 😭💀