Chapter 12
Aldridge easily beat me in every Need for Speed race. But I redeemed myself on Pac-Man and we came out even in head-to-head Mortal Kombat rounds. We were now at the Skee-Ball machines, and Aldridge was making a big show of stretching before we started to play.
“If I win this game, I need a new title like Gamemaster,” he said.
“I will not be calling you that.”
“All this dominance needs to be recognized.”
“I could call you Lil Big Head. Because your ego is getting out of hand.”
There was a gleam in his eye. “I’ll admit I have a big ego, but everything I say I back up tenfold.”
“Do you need to trash talk at every conceivable opportunity?”
“If you’re afraid to lose, just say that.”
“I don’t lose.”
“You were literally so bad at Need for Speed the game malfunctioned and couldn’t read your card. I think it had secondhand embarrassment for you.”
“Did I or did I not bitch slap the shit out of you and then slice you in half on the last game?”
“My hands were sweaty.”
I shoved him. “No, you can’t make excuses.”
“I got a finger cramp. I’m out of practice.”
“You need to add finger conditioning to your workout routine. My fingers stay ready.”
“I’m sure they do.” Aldridge simulated finger banging.
This time I swatted his arm aggressively. “I have other tools for that.”
“Love a woman who stays suited and booted.”
Hinting at sex acts with my ex was not something I’d have predicted.
But flirting was kind of fun, and I was so good at it.
If they were giving out medals for best flirt, I’d at least win a silver.
Flirting was entertaining because there were no real expectations for anything more.
You could test the water without getting wet.
Not that I was testing things out with Aldridge.
We were friends, old pals, comrades, homies.
He was the lil homie, lil big homie. Extremely fine homie.
The homie that walked with a slight limp because his dick was so big.
Aldridge swiped his card to activate our game.
I started out rough but quickly caught my stride and sunk three balls worth fifty each.
He talked smack the entire time. How he could hit fifties and hundreds consistently was maddening.
Like I said, shit just came easy to him.
When the game ended, it was clear I’d been dusted and I begrudgingly accepted defeat.
“You had an unfair advantage because your arms are so long.”
“I can’t help it I don’t have T-Rex arms like you.”
“My arms are perfectly proportioned like everything about me.”
“You are perfect in every way except when it comes to arcade games.”
“Excuse me, are you Aldridge Mosley?” A young man asked standing among a group of friends.
“Yeah.”
“See I told you.” He spat out to a friend before turning back to Aldridge. “I knew it was you. We’re so hype to have you in Vegas bro.”
“Thanks, I’m happy to be here.”
“Can we get a picture?” a girl with braces asked.
“Of course.” Aldridge seemed in his element as if being approached by strangers was perfectly normal. But I guess for him it was. I often forgot how much of a big deal he was, not just in Vegas but in the NBA.
“I got it.” I grabbed the girl’s phone and took several photos.
“I can’t wait to tell everyone we met you,” another guy with red hair said.
“I appreciate the love.”
“You have no idea. I know you’re gonna bring us a championship.”
Aldridge flashed his signature smile. “I’m hoping.”
“You got this bro. Thanks again.”
“Have a good night.” He waved to the group who were all smiles and excited chatter as they walked away.
“Wow, talk about pressure,” I said.
“I’m used to it. The organization talks about me in interviews like I’m the second coming of Christ. Expectations are high.”
“But at the end of the day you’re just one man.”
“When we were together, you seemed to think I was up there with the greats McCabe Senior, Jordan, LeBron.”
“And I still do. That hasn’t changed. But people can’t expect you to deliver a ring in your first year with the team.”
“That’s what I was brought here to do.” He nodded and we walked back to our table. Taking our seats, the waitress appeared to check if we wanted more drinks or appetizers. Aldridge ordered truffle fries.
My chest tightened at the thought of all these expectations being laid at his feet. Ramblers Nation could be fanatical. And their love came with conditions and the minute Aldridge didn’t deliver they would turn on him. “But what if you can’t?”
“I’ll disappoint a whole lot of people.”
“And that’s why I don’t like sports. It places undue pressure on players that no one can realistically live up to.”
“They aren’t paying me millions of dollars for my sparkling smile and winning personality. What would you tell me before each game?”
I paused to recall our many pregame conversations.
In college it became quickly apparent Aldridge was a phenom.
There were banners with his face front and center.
Anywhere we went in our small college town, business owners would comp him.
I don’t think he ever paid for a meal the four years we were there.
He also experienced an immense burden at nineteen with grown adults looking up to him like he was their idol.
“Try your best but if you lose, you’re still a winner to me. ”
“While you were telling me to do my best, which I appreciated, I was telling myself winning is a habit, and I’m in the habit of winning.”
“You’ve already accomplished so much and I’m sure you’re going to do much more, but I just want you to be realistic.”
“World class athletes aren’t realistic. If I train hard and I’m disciplined, I will reap the fruits of my labor.”
I slipped my hand in his. “No matter what happens this season, I want you to know I think you’re an amazing human. And your value isn’t just derived by how many games you win.”
Aldridge released a nervous chuckle.
“I mean it. I’m really into self-care and positive affirmations. I always keep a self-help book on deck.”
“This is a real reach coming from the woman who always had several irons in the fire.”
“And you know where that got me? Burnt out. I’m just offering up some friendly advice. I know this is going to be an exciting season filled with ups and downs. But just remember even when things are down, you’re still important and loved.”
His right eye twitched and he let go of my hand. “You love me?”
“Aldridge I’ve always loved you. That never stopped because we ended. I’m sure you feel the same.”
He swung his head in a no. “I was mad at you for a really long time, so my feelings are kind of muddled.”
“Oh.” My lungs constricted making it hard to breathe.
Breaking up with Aldridge was the hardest relationship decision I’d ever had to make, because there wasn’t an inciting incident.
He never cheated, he put me first, he was a gentleman, he didn’t ignore me to hang out with his friends, he’d text back almost immediately, he was genuinely supportive, and in his eyes I walked on water.
Our breakup was a case of the right person at the wrong time.
Or the right person who just happened to pick the worst career.
He rearranged the condiments on the table. “Danessa you have to know there was nothing I wouldn’t have done for you.” He met my gaze, and his brown eyes were layered with regret and pain. “I honestly don’t understand why I wasn’t enough.”
My heart bowed at the thought he’d been carrying that belief around all these years. “No … Aldi—”
Anika came walking up to our table dancing like she was Mary J. Blige, kick and all. “Dante just asked me to marry him.”
The blood drained from my face. “What?” Aldridge and I said in unison.
“I know. He just dropped to one knee and proposed.” She flashed her ring finger with a fake ruby ring you get from one of those candy machines. It barely fit her finger, but she was beaming with pride.
I went into problem solver mode. “You can’t get married, you two barely know one another.”
Dante smacked my sister on the ass. “I know I can’t live without her.”
I popped out of my seat and yelled, “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
Aldridge stood standing in between us. “Danessa, chill.”
“No, I will not chill. My sister just got engaged at an arcade with a plastic ring.”
“You need to get over this because you’re going to be my maid of honor.”
I grabbed Aldridge’s arm and pulled him to my eye level. “I don’t have the bandwidth for this right now.”
“Do you wanna leave?”
“I want to jump off of a bridge.”
Anika tossed her arm around me. “Nessa …” Her voice was a song. “You need to take some deep breaths. Dante’s going to be your brother-in-law. And eventually you’ll love him as much as I do.”
“Bitch you better be fucking joking.”
She looked to Aldridge for congratulations. “Are you happy for me Aldi?”
“If you like it, I love it.”
Anika gasped. “You can give me away. It’s going to be a family affair.”
I shrugged Anika’s hand from my shoulder. “Can you walk me to my car?”
“Sure.” Aldridge nodded.
I collected my things and headed toward the exit. “Don’t tell Mom I want to break it to her in person,” Anika called out.
We walked in silence through the outdoor mall for several minutes. “You’re pouting.”
“I’m not pouting.”
“Why are you so upset?”
“Because that’s not how this is done. Love is just not that simple.”
“Are you mad or are you jealous?”
I stopped in my tracks. “I don’t wanna marry Dante.”
“I think you know what I meant.”
“Okay, I feel like I’ve done everything right and Anika has done everything wrong and she always comes out on top. I’ve followed every fucking rule and made sacrifices, and I have zero to show for it. A few years ago, I was the one engaged. I was the one getting married.”
“What happened?”