9. Leilani
One month.
One month of Banks and my contractual relationship, and people were eating it up. It was a bit weird to see my name on blog headlines or pictures of us out, but all the time and energy we were putting into everything was working.
Banks made it easy.
The way things flowed between us, so naturally, caused anxiety to tighten my chest anytime we were around one another. Willow and Mamie encouraged me to continue going with the flow and not allow my anxiousness to mess anything up, but it was easier said than done.
At times, I found myself pulling away from Banks.
We were spending too much time together, and I was getting attached.
Attachment scared me because it could break at any moment.
The biggest thing was, after six months, we would no longer be contractually obligated to be together.
We could post our “breakup” on social media and go on about our lives, but when I thought about it, it was a tough pill to swallow.
Banks had become a constant in my life—a constant I didn’t want to be without so abruptly.
I finished packing my bag and checked around my house to make sure I didn’t leave anything on before going out to the Uber waiting for me.
Banks had an away game in about four hours, and I was going to surprise him.
Like any other social media influencer, not that I was one, I was documenting everything to post later.
It was the cutest way to celebrate our month milestone.
Plus, I missed him.
Since we’d been doing our thing, we hadn’t gone more than two days without seeing one another.
Baseball season was in full throttle, which meant our time together would lessen during his away games.
I had absolutely no problem getting on a flight and popping up on him, and he would see that in a few hours.
“So, I’m on my way to the airport. My flight leaves in two hours, so I should be landing in Spring Valley Hills around noon. The game starts at two thirty, which will give me time to shower, get dressed, and head to the field. I’ll check back in when I land.”
I stopped the video and saved it to my phone.
As if he knew I was thinking about him, Banks texted to check up on me.
The Chesire cat-like grin hiking my cheeks up toward my eyes was shameful.
The effect that man had on me was crazy.
He made me feel like a teenage girl finally being noticed by her crush.
What’s up, beautiful? Just checking in on you before my game. What are you up to?
Nothing, about to get into my next piece. How are you? You ready to play?
Truthfully, I wanted to let Banks know that he was on my mind, but I opted not to. The best thing I could do was keep it casual.
I’m cool, getting my mind right. You know what I was sitting here thinking?
What?
You’re becoming my good luck charm. I feel off at away games because you’re not here.
I was speechless. My eyes scanned over his text multiple times before my fingers finally found the rhythm to respond.
The surprise I had for him meant much more knowing he felt that way.
I tapped the edge of my phone against my lips, thinking of how to respond.
Once again, I wanted to keep it casual, but I also wanted to test his temperature with us.
Oh, really? You don’t have to say that, Banks. No one can read our messages.
You don’t think I know that?
There goes that smart ass mouth.
Don’t get smart. I know you know that, but I’m just saying. You don’t have to act like I’m something to you when it’s only us.
The three dots appeared. Intently, I watched them.
My palms became moist as the dots disappeared and reappeared over and over.
Afraid as to how Banks may have responded, I locked my phone and tried to focus on the traffic.
We were nearing the airport when Banks finally texted back.
My heart sunk when I read a simple ‘okay.’
That was it? That was all he had to say?
There was no need in me getting upset about it when I set myself up for it. Still, it didn’t change the fact it stung a bit. I expected a witty comeback or something. For a moment, I second-guessed popping up on him, but I had to save face for our agreement.
Once I made it to the airport, time seemed to fly by.
As I expected, I landed in Spring Valley Hills a little before noon.
I recorded my videos, praying no one would notice my shift in mood when I posted them later.
Consistently, I checked my phone to see if Banks had double texted, but our text thread was dry.
The urge to reach out to him was strong.
I refrained since I would be seeing him in a few short hours and didn’t want to seem too eager.
After I checked into my hotel, I showered and got dressed.
Of course, I repped the Cougars from my head to waist. The royal blue number seven graced the front of my gray T-shirt.
Since the weather in Spring Valley Hills was warmer than back home, I opted to wear my white Chanel slides instead of my tennis shoes.
My locs were down with the only restraint being a red bandana tied around the front.
My timing was a little off, so I couldn’t record a video or anything. The field was ten minutes from my hotel, and when I made it, I was immediately overwhelmed by the number of people. I thought the games back home were packed, but it was as if the entire city was here.
I must’ve stuck out like a sore thumb because one of their staff members came over to assist me.
She led me to the Cougars side of the field where I immediately spotted Banks.
His back was turned to me. I thanked the woman and pulled my phone out to record Banks’s reaction.
He was engrossed in a conversation with one of his teammates, so I waited briefly before tapping him on the shoulder three times.
Banks turned around, and the way the deep brown flecks in his eyes lightened to copper upon seeing me let me know I’d done the right thing. With that side smile I adored, Banks scooped me up by the waist and peppered kisses on my cheeks.
“I got you good, didn’t I?” I giggled as he set me back on my feet.
He nodded, adjusting his cap on his head. “Yeah, you did. You’ve made my day, Leilani, for real.”
“I’m glad that I could. I figured this was a good way to celebrate our one month.” I playfully winked at him and stopped my video. “I videoed everything leading up to this to post later.”
“That’s smart. Good thinking. We make a good team.”
“Or some good liars.”
Banks and I stared at one another before bursting into laughter.
“That too.” He agreed. “I also think we’re becoming good friends and getting to know one another well. You can’t act like we don’t vibe hard.”
“That, we do. We’re always on the same wavelength, even when your mouth is smart.”
Banks draped his arm around my shoulder, tugged me into him, and kissed my forehead. “I guess we’re twins then. How you get here?”
“An Uber.”
“All right. Wait for me after the game so we can go get something to eat. They have this dope ass spot I want to take you to.”
“Okay.”
We shared a kiss, then I went to my designated area.
Usually, his parents were at every game, but his dad was feeling under the weather.
It felt weird being at a game by myself, especially with it being in another city.
Their fans were harsh. I found myself snapping on a few who thought it was okay to talk down on Banks while he was pitching.
They were mad because he was striking their best batters out and ended up winning the game.
I wasn’t in the mood to be bothered by paparazzi, so I waited in Banks’s designated vehicle after the game. It took him about twenty minutes to come out, and when he did, it was obvious he was tired from the way he dragged his slides across the concrete.
The second the door opened, Banks tossed his bag in and plopped down on the seat. His head went to my lap, followed by an exasperated exhale.
“Good game, Boss.”
“Thank you. I had to play my heart out since you were watching me. I couldn’t call you my good luck charm then mess up.”
I giggled and leaned down to kiss his temple. “You played your heart out because baseball is a big part of it. I’m just a bonus.”
“I guess you’re right, but for real… You changed my entire mood by showing up today. I felt off knowing my parents wouldn’t be there. Plus, I was already missing you, so seeing you had me feeling good as hell.”
“You missed me?”
Banks closed his eyes and adjusted his head on my lap. “Yeah. Friends can miss one another, right?”
“Yes, they can. I missed you too, which is why I came. Plus, I thought it would add some sparkle for our image.”
Who was I kidding? The main reason I went to the game was to see Banks. Of course, I had to throw the extra in there to downplay things. Since Banks seemed to be opening up and expressing himself more, I figured I could do the same. I would continue to follow his lead.
“Well, you should do it more often. It doesn’t have to be because of our situation. It can be because you care. I care, and I know you see it, Leilani. What you said earlier low-key pissed me off, but I let it go. Don’t ever fix your mouth to say you’re not something to me when you are.”
I thought he’d forgotten about that conversation, but apparently not. I didn’t mind being put in my place when it was right, so Banks clarifying that made me feel good.
“I know, and I apologize.”
“Thank you.” Banks yawned for a few seconds then asked, “Would you be mad if we didn’t go eat?”
“No. It’s obvious you’re extremely tired, so you’ll get a pass this time. You definitely owe me a good meal.”
“I got you. When are you leaving?”
“I fly back out tomorrow afternoon.”
“Why?”
I rubbed my hand over his waves in a slow, steady motion. “What do you mean? I gotta go home. That’s why.”
“Stay another day. I’ll pay for whatever you need, but let me make it up to you. We have an off day tomorrow before our next game, so we can do whatever you want.”
“Are you sure?”
“Would I have asked if I wasn’t?”
“Smart mouth.”
His deep chuckle vibrated his back my stomach.
I continued to rub his head as I gazed out the window.
It wasn’t long before soft snores escaped his nose and mouth.
I peered down at him. My hand slapped over my mouth to keep from laughing.
He was so handsome, even with his mouth partly open.
For myself, I snapped a quick picture and lay my head back.
All the while, I couldn’t help but wonder… what were we doing for me to be falling like this?