6. Banks
The contract had been signed, and it was time for Leilani and me to make our first appearance as a couple. My lawyer thought I was crazy for what I was doing, but something told me it would work. Not only for me, but for Leilani too. I wouldn’t be the only person benefitting from our deal.
In the contract, we both agreed not to see other people during our contracted time along with ensuring we kept everything up on social media as well.
Leilani would receive access to all my resources by the third month.
We changed the year to six months and had the option to prolong it if needed, if wanted.
Everything was set in stone just in time for us to step out together at my game.
We also agreed only two people each would know about our agreement. Outside of one another, we needed people to confide in. Of course, Leilani chose her sister and her cousin while I chose Forest and Paisley.
Since I had to be at my game early, I sent Leilani a car to pick her up. She kept expressing how nervous she was about it all. Honestly, so was I. It was new to us both, and while I wanted to make sure my image was restored, I was more so nervous about actually falling for her.
“What’s on your mind, Boss? You’ve been quieter than usual, and that’s not like you.” Forest called me out as we got dressed to go warm up.
I sat down on the bench and sighed. I looked around the locker room to make sure no one was within earshot of us before speaking. “I gotta tell you something.”
“Aw, shit.” Forest sat down next to me. “What is it?”
“Remember Leilani?”
“Yeah, the one you dropped some big money on for a ‘painting’ for Pai?”
“Hold up. What’s with the air quotes? That’s exactly what I did.”
Forest eyes lowered, and he spread his lips back across his face. “You can feed me that bullshit if you want to, Boss. I know you. You may have done it because you love Paisley and will do anything for her, but did you have to pay that much for it? Or was it to flex?”
“If it was to flex, it worked. Leilani and I worked something out to benefit us both.”
“What?”
“We’re in a business relationship. For the next six months, we’re contracted to act as a couple, so I need you to play along.”
“Are you serious?”
I hopped to my feet and snatched my jersey out my locker. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because that shit sounds crazy as hell. Why would you let her talk you into something like that? What? Did she want more money?”
“Who said it was her idea? Don’t pass judgment on someone you don’t know, Forest. I presented her with the idea, we talked it out, and she accepted.
Leilani isn’t like these other women, so don’t ever fix your lips to speak on her like that again.
” I defended Leilani, feeling my blood pressure slowly rise.
One thing I wouldn’t allow anyone to do was disrespect anyone close to me, and Forest knew it, too, because I gave the same energy when it came to him. Leilani was now included in that number, so I would advise anyone to tread lightly when it came to her.
Forest held his hands up in surrender and took a step back. “My bad, bro. I’m not trying to step on your toes or anything. I’m just trying to piece it all together because this isn’t like you. You know I got your back no matter what, but I can already tell you one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
“You’re about to fall flat on your damn face for this woman. Watch and see.”
“Nah. This is all business.”
“Yeah, all right. Keep telling yourself that. Enough of this. Get your head together for this game.” Forest patted my shoulder then walked away to his locker.
He left me with some things to ponder on, but I couldn’t dwell on them. We were playing our rival team, The Pinchers, so I shook off anything that wasn’t baseball related.
Coach gave us the pregame pep talk before we headed out to the field.
I didn’t get a chance to check my phone to see if Leilani had arrived, but I had given her instructions to come onto the field once she made it.
I had her set up with VIP and all-access passes for all my games which meant she would receive the same hospitality treatment as the wives and families of the other players.
“Damn. Who is that?” I heard one of my teammates ask in the middle of some fielding drills.
All eyes were on who was now mine.
Leilani’s presence caught the attention of everyone as she nervously made her way over to me.
I couldn’t help but smile at her sporting a crop top version of my royal blue jersey with the hat to match.
Red leggings appeared painted onto her toned legs, gliding her across the field in her gray Nikes.
The sun was shining down onto her butterscotch-colored skin, giving her a golden glow.
I couldn’t lie. My heartbeat excelled when she smiled and waved at me, a simple gesture, but she genuinely looked happy to see me.
I tossed the ball to Forest and made my way over to Leilani.
The cameras from the sidelines were pointed directly at us.
They were taking it all in as Leilani stopped in front of me.
My arms snaked around her waist as hers slid around my neck.
As I expected, she fit perfectly in my arms. I held onto her longer than I intended.
“Hey, Banks,” she greeted.
Four of my five senses became familiar with her.
Her skin and body were plush, soft against my flesh.
Her scent embedded into my nostrils. She possessed the sweet smell of shea butter and vanilla.
Herself… Leilani was a sight for sore eyes, beautiful as ever.
Her voice was one I could listen to forever and never get tired of, reminding me of Ari Lennox.
For the last sense, I needed her permission.
I pulled away, still holding onto her. “Hey, beautiful. You know we gotta make this look real, right.”
“Aren’t we?”
“I think so, but a kiss would solidify it more.”
Subtly, she nodded and closed her eyes. Her lack of hesitation surprised me.
Our lips collided, drowning out all the noise around us.
My fifth sense was more than satisfied as I tried to suck the minty but fruity gloss from her soft lips.
She engaged back, and when our tongues met, my mind went to another place.
I needed to be focused on the game and not fucking Leilani, so I pecked her lips and pulled away.
I chuckled at how rosy her cheeks were. “You good?”
“Mm-hmm. How are you feeling? You ready for your big game?”
“I am, especially knowing you’ll be in the stands cheering me on.”
“I surely will. I did a little research on baseball last night, so I won’t be completely lost while watching. You might need to give me a crash course to prepare me for the next game.”
“I got you. Oh, shit. Here come my parents.”
All the color drained from Leilani’s face, but it was too late to run away. My mother sped walked over to us with a deep scowl wrinkling her face. She looked at me before looking Leilani up and down.
“And who is she, Banks?” she asked, eyes still on Leilani.
“Hello to you too, Mom.” I briefly released Leilani to greet my parents with love. It wasn’t long before I saw Paisley jogging onto the field as well. She stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Leilani. I counted down from five, and sure enough, Paisley released a shrill squeal.
I leaned over and whispered in Leilani’s ear, “I apologize for this.”
All she did was nod and scoot closer to me.
“Oh my gosh! Leilani, what are you doing here?” Paisley all but yelled with the brightest grin.
“Damn. Aren’t you here to see me?”
Paisley waved me off. “Of course, but I’m surprised to see Leilani.”
“You know her, Paisley?” Mom interrogated, glancing back at my father who flashed me a smirk of approval.
“I always talk about her. She’s one of my favorite artists, Mommy.”
“Ah! The one you’re always on your phone watching?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mom turned to Leilani. “And what are you doing here all over my son?”
Leilani opened and closed her mouth several times, then glanced up at me for help.
I kissed her cheek and slithered my arm around her waist, feeling her body instantly relax. “Leilani, these are my parents, Blaise and Alyson. Parents, this is Leilani, my girlfriend.”
Dad placed his hand over Paisley’s mouth before she could scream while it was Mom’s turn to be speechless.
Finally, Leilani found her voice and said, “It’s nice to finally meet y’all.”
“Finally? How long have the two of you been together?” Mom spoke for everyone.
“We made it official a few days ago, but we’ve been talking for a few weeks.”
“Hmm,” was all Mom offered with her nose in the air. “Well, come on, Leilani. The game will start soon, and Banks needs to get his mind right.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Leilani and I shared a kiss before Paisley linked their arms and whisked Leilani away.
I felt bad for Leilani, but I knew my father and sister wouldn’t let my mom come down too hard on her.
At the end of the day, I’d have a lot of explaining to do to my family, but I needed to talk to Paisley before anyone else.
After the game, I thought Leilani would’ve been waiting for me, but I couldn’t find her.
I thought she’d left without saying anything until she texted, asking me to let her know when I came out, so I did.
Seconds later, she emerged from the restroom, and paparazzi wasted no time snapping pictures of her.
She ran over to me with her head down and grabbed my hand.
“How can you deal with this?” she asked as we walked out the building to the Suburban waiting for us.
“It’s extremely nerve-racking at first, but eventually, you’ll get used to it.”
I helped her inside the truck and ignored the many questions about us being thrown my way. My post-game interview had already been done, so I didn’t owe them a thing. Safely inside, I released an exasperated sigh and asked the driver to turn on my favorite playlist.
“Great win tonight. You did amazing out there. I’ve always thought baseball was boring, but that’s far from the case. It was one of the most exciting games I’ve been to.”
“Thank you. It was a tough and close game, but I’m glad we came out with the W. Hopefully, it’ll be a repeat tomorrow.”
“Do y’all always play games back-to-back like that?”
I leaned my head against the headrest and nodded. “Yeah. It’s tiresome, especially when we travel, but it’s worth it.”
“How did you get into baseball?”
“Would you be surprised if I said my parents?”
A contagious, hearty laugh came from the pit of Leilani’s stomach. We both laughed until we had the driver chuckling. Her laugh told me everything I needed to know.
When she finally gathered herself and wiped her tears, she replied, “After getting to know them, no. I wouldn’t be. They seem just as passionate about it as you do, if not more, especially your mother.”
“Exactly. It was one of the things they kind of pressured me into after seeing how natural it was to me, but I appreciate it now. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
“That’s relatable for me. Well, my parents didn’t pressure me.
They encouraged me to pursue art when they realized I was in love with it.
One of the best things they’ve ever done for me.
” The sound of Leilani’s phone consistently vibrating against the seat caught my attention.
She checked it and asked, “Is your phone not blowing up?”
“Probably so, but I have it turned off. We’ve been posted everywhere, huh?”
“Yes. They’re quick as hell with it, so are the many women in the comments.”
There was a little bite in her tone, one I found cute. She didn’t need to say it, but it made her a little jealous, just like all the men checking her out on the field earlier did for me.
I leaned over and whispered, “You know, the emotions are going to make this seem much more real.”
“What do you mean, Banks?”
“The comments bother you. I get it. The ones I see about you bother me, too, but it makes everything believable.”
Leilani playfully flitted her eyes upward. “I guess you’re right. How do I stop myself from obsessing over this?”
“Turn off notifications to blogs and all the extra shit. The effects don’t go away overnight, but eventually, they will.”
“How long did it take for you?”
“About two months. I’ve never truly cared what anyone thought of me anyway, but sometimes, the words cut differently.”
“I can see.” Leilani locked her phone just as we were pulling up to her place. The driver stopped in front of it, so I got out to open the door for her. “Thank you. You didn’t need to do that. I know you’re tired.”
“It’s all good. Come on. Let me walk you to the door.”
I followed behind her, watching the ripples of her ass with each step she took.
Down boy.
She turned around to face me after she unlocked and opened her door. “Same time and place tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. See you then.”
I grabbed her arm when she tried to walk inside. “Never leave without giving me a hug and kiss.”
“Banks, we’re alone. We don’t have to put on.”
“Doesn’t mean we should stop. It needs to be natural no matter what.”
Her body crashed into mine before her lips did. It would be hard for me to keep my hands off her whenever we were together, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.