Chapter 9 #2
Hanging up, I went ahead and turned my focus on so that he wouldn’t be able to get through. Trust was failing me by the second and that was hurting more than I thought it would. It was clear that the family he made with Xara was more important to him than us.
The thing was, Trust wanted me to fight for him when I refused to do so. He fucked up and acted as if Brendon and I were replaceable so now he had to stand on that. I didn’t want anything to do with him.
Pulling into the parking lot twenty minutes later, we saw how packed it was. The game started at seven and it was already half pass six. We had enough time to make it to our seats and get settled. I was excited and the smile that my son wore on his face said that I was doing my job.
“Alright baby boy. Let’s go,” I said finally finding a parking space. “Stay close to me at all times. This is a big place baby, and anything can happen.”
“Yes ma’am. Do you think I can really get an autograph from Steph?”
“Uhm, I don’t know baby. We’ll see.”
We exited the vehicle and made our way inside.
There were crowds in each direction. Every step we took caused my anxiety to go up.
I had never been around so many folks a day in my life.
I held on to my son as we made our way through the sea of people and to our seats.
When I saw Lina, a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
“Girl, I thought you got lost. I’m glad y’all made it. Hey nephew.” She wrapped her arms around Brendon and brought him in for a hug. “Your boy is over there fixing him something to eat, go join him.”
He ran off and I was thankful to be able to finally relax. I scanned the room, and it seemed as if our box would have very little traffic. That would work in my favor. I proceeded to take the empty seat next to Lina’s purse.
Looking out into the stadium, I was amazed at how many people showed up for a good time. I was glad that Brendon was able to experience this. His father failed to bring him, but his mom and aunt came through. I was reminding him to thank Lina once he came to sit with his food.
“How you feeling, Yani?”
I was tired of answering that question, but I knew everyone that asked was just concerned. Everybody and their mama knew how I felt about Trust. It was heartbreaking finding out what I did but what was done in the dark always came to the light. It was just his time to carry the spotlight.
Somewhere in the mix, I was supposed to feel relieved that his lies were front and center, but it was fresh, and I was still attached. I told myself that leaving him was for the best, but I wasn’t so sure at the end of the day. Trust had a huge effect on me that no one could ever understand.
“I’m here Calina. That’s all I can say.”
She nodded and took a seat beside me. I didn’t want to continuously talk about Trust. I really wished everyone would just let me have my time and bring up something other than him.
“Ma, they had nachos.” Brendon had returned to me and was showing off his plate.
“I see. Sit and eat. It looks like the game is starting. Also, thank your aunt for getting us tickets. She didn’t have to do this for us.”
He did like I asked then took the seat next to me, and for the next half hour, he was so invested in the game that I couldn’t gain any attention from him. He had the biggest smile on his face and that was the only thing that kept a smile on mine. His enjoyment somehow became mine.
“You know you’re in the state of Oklahoma, right?”
I had come accustomed to that baritone. My nerves had kicked up a notch and my smile had dropped. Turning around, I was looking into the face of Paxton Hughes. His fine ass had found a way to be in my presence once again.
“What are you doing here Paxton?” I inquired, trying not to seem flustered.
“I have season tickets. Are you going to answer my question?”
I scoffed lightly, dropping my head nervously. Paxton erased all my feelings about Trust whenever he was around. I didn’t like that. It made me feel like I would submit to him without so much as a second thought.
“Uhh, yeah. I am a fan of LeBron. He’s —”
“Fine. Yeah, I’ve heard.” He did a small chuckle and kept a smirk on his face.
Calina hit me on my leg wanting an introduction and I rolled my eyes. She was aggravating but it was good to go ahead and get introductions out the way. I stood and introduced the gang properly.
“Paxton, this is my girlfriend Calina, my son Brendon, and my nephew Terrell. Everyone, this is Paxton. Someone I’m trying to do business with.”
Everyone spoke but Brendon. He just offered him a look. I knew what that was all about, however, disrespecting adults wasn’t something I tolerated.
“Brendon say hi.”
“No need. I get it so don’t even press the issue, Yani.”
I was grateful for his understanding but that wasn’t the kind of child I was raising. “I appreciate that, but disrespect won’t fly this way. Brendon.”
Brendon finally turned around and gave a lazy greeting. “Hi.” Just as soon as the word left his mouth, he was facing forward again with his attention back on the game.
“I’m sorry.” With that I took my seat once more and let the wave of embarrassment cover me.
Brendon loved his father and everything that was happening was too new for him to see me speaking with another man. I already knew that his attitude was because of that. Trust fucked up our family and now I was dealing with the aftermath.
The game went on and I was too embarrassed to even move from my seat.
Paxton was supposed to be strictly business, but he was introduced to the personal side of me, and I didn’t know how to take that.
I felt like he got a piece of me that was never supposed to be revealed.
Not because of my attraction to him but because I was a firm believer on not mixing business with anything other than business.
Having to go to the bathroom was the only thing that made me move. When I stood, I noticed that Paxton was no longer seated behind me. In fact, he wasn’t in the box. I took that as an opportunity to relax a little.
I headed for the bathroom I saw upon arriving to our seats.
I rushed inside and relieved my bladder as well as took a minute to get my shit together.
I had Paxton running wild in my head while Trust was running loose in my heart.
I had too much going on and I just needed a break from it all, which I didn’t know when that would be.
After the game, Brendon was leaving with Lina, and I was heading to the hotel for the first phase of the event this weekend.
My matchmaking events were two parts that consisted of casual meet and greets and small activities.
You could cancel anyone at any given time, and they wouldn’t be able to converse with you in phase two.
Phase one was quite simple and free. I didn’t have much to say during that time.
However, knowing that Paxton would be there kept my nerves on ten.
I wanted to stay away from him for my own good, but also ignore any distance that would present itself because of how curious he had me.
Oh, and sign the deal all at the same time.
It was hard to keep myself from wanting to explore more with him.
His cologne had me intrigued while his presence had me magnetized with wanting to be near him so often. I was just in a fucked up position.
I received a text from Calina saying Brendon was looking for me.
I released a deep breath, shook off the nerves, and headed back to my seat.
Before I could enter the box, I was stopped by someone giving a gentle tug to my elbow.
Turning around, I was face-to-face with Paxton for the second time tonight.
“It seems like you have a lot going on. Your eyes are telling a story you want to keep hidden. What’s got you so stressed?”
His words caused me to erupt into tears. I was really trying to suppress the emotions and be strong, but a bitch was really suffering from a heartbreak.
I was immediately pulled into his embrace and coddled. I didn’t care about showing him how emotional I was. I tried to wear a smiling face, but it was becoming harder and harder to put it on. I guess tonight it faded quicker than usual.
“I’m sorry, I…” my sentence went unfinished. I truly didn’t know what to say.
“Are you able to get away Yani? I know you’re here with your son, but you need some fresh air.”
“I can go. Just give me a minute.”