Chapter 10
“My daddy wants to have a conversation with you,” Ava explained as she exited the locker room.
My eyes widened. “Why?”
“For many reasons. The main one being that we are now in the spotlight of the media, and he wants to protect my legacy from being tarnished by a bad relationship.”
I chuckled. “A concerned father. I get it for real. I don’t mind talking to him. When does he want to meet? Are we meeting over lunch or dinner?”
It was her turn to chuckle. “He actually wants to meet right now. He’s upstairs in one of the suites. We’re going to head up there with him before we leave.”
“Oh. No time to prepare?”
“Not really. If you don’t want to do that now, I can tell him to reschedule.”
“Calm down, my love. It’ll be fine. I know you’ve had a long day, but I can extend some time to talk with your father. The sooner we get on the same page, the better.”
“This is why I love you. You’re the calm I’ve always needed in my life.
” She tilted her head up and pressed a gentle kiss onto my lips.
I smiled as I wrapped our fingers together.
The layout of the arena was branded into my brain years ago, so I knew how to get to the VIP suites.
We walked hand in hand with synchronized steps to the suite her father occupied.
There was a buff security guard manning the door.
Ava’s smile melted his hard exterior. “Hey, Vaughn.”
“Hey, Ava. You played a hell of a game tonight. Don’t tell your father, but my parlay hit for a nice chunk of change.”
Ava giggled. “Always a pleasure to help those win big. I’m going to start charging you one of these days.”
“You know the money is good.” Vaughn stepped out of the way and let us through the doors to the suite.
This suite in particular was decked out with all the amenities and appliances.
There was a private bathroom, bar with a bartender on duty, and two large flat-screen televisions.
The suite had a max capacity of twenty people with four rows of reclining seats, lounge areas, and more.
The suite was for people who made more than me, and I made millions.
“Man, this suite is insane,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Ain’t it?” Ava agreed.
“Thank you both for joining me. Would either of you like a drink?” Axel asked.
Standing just a few steps away from me was Axel Starr. We’d been in proximity all game, but now we were in the same room for a completely different purpose. Part of me wanted to fan out because, again, I was in the room with the greatest player of all time.
The other part of me knew to hold it together.
I couldn’t put the man on a pedestal. Even though he was my favorite player, I didn’t idolize him.
Like the saying went, meeting your favorite celebrities may not always be what it’s cracked up to be.
We only see a glimpse into celebrity lives.
Who they truly are and what they stood for could tarnish the image we created of them.
“I had some celebratory shots with the team. I’m good,” Ava answered first.
“I don’t mind a drink. What are you having?” I asked.
Axel motioned to the bartender. “I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy. What’s your drink of choice?”
“I’ll drink whatever you drink.”
Axel nodded. “Two old-fashioned, light on the rocks.”
The bartender made the drinks and slid them across the bar. Axel retrieved them and held one out for me to take. I thanked him for the hospitality.
“Both of you have a seat. I know it’s getting late, and I don’t want to keep you too long.” Axel claimed a seat on one of the lounge chairs. We sat across from him.
I sipped the drink.
“I want to start by saying I appreciate you going the lengths to find her necklace. The type of resourcefulness you exude was commendable. However, I do not want a relationship to get in the way of Ava’s career.”
“Well, no disrespect, sir, but I would never get in the way of Ava’s career.
I love the sport of basketball just as much, if not more than she does.
I watch my sister’s film to give her tips and pointers to grow on.
Ava will be added to the list. It’s my job to support her and all she does.
It’s my job to protect her, love her, and be whatever she needs me to be in whatever space she’s in at the moment.
If anything, I plan to help her grow and become even better than what she is now. ”
“Why?” Axel asked.
“Why, what?”
“Why do you want to see her grow? Do you plan on taking her money and fame and using it to your advantage?”
“I came with my own clout and money. I make more than enough to support Ava financially. Her money can go into an account I never know about. I have my fame that will thrive with or without Ava by my side. Even though it’s only been a short time, I know I want to spend forever with Ava.”
Axel nodded. “It seems you have a decent head on your shoulders with a solid plan. I’ll accept this for now. I’ll plan a dinner later this month where we can sit down and see how well you mesh with the Starr family.”
“I’m cool with that. Ava knows my schedule, but your assistant can contact my assistant to get put on my calendar.” I smirked.
Axel’s amused expression showed me he understood my joke.
I leaned back and finished the drink in three large sips.
The one drink wouldn’t do anything for me, but I enjoyed sitting with the legend.
I would walk out of the suite with a new wave of respect for him.
He didn’t disrespect me, and he listened to me thoroughly.
He didn’t completely shut me down, as most dads would.
I never understood why men were so protective of their daughters while allowing their sons to be everything but a child of God.
They thought it was cute and respectful to threaten people’s sons to protect their daughters.
However, my parents didn’t play that shit with my sister and me.
My mama would catch a case behind me if anybody ever thought it would be cool to threaten me.
The rest of the conversation went without a hitch. He gave Ava pointers on her next game, and I cosigned with my ideas for the game as well. She looked between us with amusement because she would do what she was most comfortable doing regarding her game play.
It had taken almost three weeks for us to find an opening in everyone’s schedule to sit down for dinner.
It was Saturday night with no games, competitions, or interviews.
We got to sit around the luxury dining table to eat a meal catered by Axel Starr’s private chef.
There was a spread of Chinese food: Sesame chicken, General Tso chicken, broccoli, lo mein, shrimp fried rice, chicken fried rice, and egg rolls. We were served, said grace, and dug in.
“Marcus, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Mrs. Starr spoke first.
“Likewise, ma’am.” I swirled my fork around the lo mein and spun the noodles in a spiral. I stuffed the fork into my mouth and nodded my approval of the taste of the meal.
“The chef does amazing work. Dinners are always well prepared and seasoned perfectly,” Mrs. Starr explained.
“I’m enjoying it very much. Thank you again for being patient with us. I started a new league, and learning the controls and combinations has been hard.”
“You’re a gamer, right?” Axel questioned.
“Yes, sir.”
“I never understood how people make money playing games.” He bit into his egg roll.
I shrugged. “It’s the same with anything.
It’s turning what you love into a lucrative business.
Millions of people watch shows; it’s no different to tune into somebody playing a game.
From quiet gameplay tutorials to game reactions and feedback, the audience is there.
I know my core fanbase enjoys when I play sports games, so I stream 2k, Madden, and NCAA.
I play other games and will upload good clips, but the bulk of my money comes from raging over something that happens on the game.
Whether it be game animations, player errors, or lag spikes. People find crash outs amusing.”
I could get carried away in talking about games like people could get carried away talking about their favorite books, movies, or shows. Everybody had a passion and used different vices to find happiness.
“I can respect that. You have a beautiful way of explaining things.” Mrs. Starr smiled as she directed her attention to her daughter.
I zoned out of their conversation as I returned to stuffing my mouth.
Most times, family dinners comprised of us seated in front of the television, watching whatever sport was in season.
Sports had always been a bonding time for my family.
We enjoyed everything from basketball to hockey and baseball.
Cade’s Cove had them all. A couple of our sports teams weren’t worth a damn, but we were loyal to them.
“Thank you for behaving tonight, Daddy.” Ava joked with her father as we exited the dining room and went into the den. We sat around on the couches as the television played the latest game between the Lakers and Mavericks.
“I always behave,” Axel replied.
“I will not call you a liar, but you’re telling a tall tell.” Ava twisted her lip in the universal this nigga lying face.
“She’s not wrong. Remember Ava’s middle school graduation ceremony? You saw a little boy push her on accident and nearly got the whole district involved.” Mrs. Starr held her husband’s hand in hers as she giggled.
“That little fucker should have watched his step.” Axel shrugged.
I laughed. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing moments with parents.”
“Yeah, let’s get that dinner scheduled because I need to hear accounts of these moments.” Ava grinned.
“I’ll see what I can do. We’re always busy. We see each other in passing all the time but rarely have dinners anymore. It’s definitely something I want to do more of.”
“Perfect.”
The rest of the evening went by smoothly. It was so beautiful to spend time with Ava and her family. Their love was unwavering. I didn’t feel ostracized or like a stranger in their home.
“I had a nice time tonight,” I announced when we’d made it back to her place. We sat in the parking garage, not ready to say goodbye. Even though I wanted to be in her bed every night, we both had busy schedules that required us to sleep apart most nights.
“Me too. I’m glad you and my daddy got along well. I knew you would, but the confirmation made all my stress leave.”
“You know I’m a cool dude. People love me.”
“Yeah, but my daddy is a protective jerk.”
“Even the most closed off people can find comfort in being in my presence.” I held her hand in mine and rubbed her knuckles with my thumb.
“Is it bad that I want you to stay with me tonight?” Ava bit down on her bottom lip.
“Nah, because I want to stay with you every night.”
“Are we moving too fast?”
“Time is an illusion. Our love is timeless. I knew from the moment I stood beside you in the club I wanted to give you the world and some. I would move across the globe with you if you asked me to.”
Ava smiled and placed her hand on my cheek. “Let’s move in together.”
“My place or yours?”
“Let’s find something that can be ours.”
“I’m down for that, but tonight…”
“You know I keep my bag in the trunk. Never know what will happen with you.”
Ava smirked. “Good. I’m trying to feel you?—”
“—don’t start your shit tonight. You know we need to slow down on the sex before you really do end up pregnant before the season is over. A lot of these bitches play rough. I’d end up knocking one of them beanstalks out if they got too physical with you.”
Ava tossed her head back as she laughed loudly. “Please be so for real.”
“I’m dead ass serious, baby. I respect women, but my hands are rated E for every damn body who thinks they can put they hands on you. Woman, man, or child.”
Ava stale faced me. Her lips were a thin line. “You’re not about to put your hands on nobody child.”
“Let a demon seed try you. I’m punting them a hundred yards if I have to. You know I watch anime. It be seven-year-olds fighting century old demons and shit.”
Ava shook her head. “Please be so for real.”
“What? It’s true.”
“We’re not a shonen anime. This is real life. You will literally go to jail, and I’ll be on the news saying lock him up and throw away the key .”
“So you not gon’ hold me down for defending you against any and everybody? Some of these kids need to be punted?—”
“Marcus, puh-lease!”
“A’ight. I’ll let the seed of Chucky get your ass. I’ll make sure your favorite singers do a number at your funeral.”
“You’re so annoying.”
“Man, I can’t win with you.”
“You’ll always win with me.”
I smirked. “You got damn right.”
“Let’s go inside, Hisoka.”
I gasped. “Oh, nah! Don’t compare me to that crazy ass man. He was a different type of weird.”
Hisoka was an anime character from Hunter x Hunter . He was known for his card tricks and wild attire. However, he was also obsessed with the main character who was an underaged boy. Outside of his weirdness, he had some cool fight scenes, but he was definitely not a compliment.
“Right. Right.” Ava covered her mouth as she laughed.
“I go from trying to be your knight in shining armor to you comparing me to the weirdest nigga on the show. I’m offended.”
“Oh no. How will I ever make it up to you?”
“I got a couple ways.”
Ava licked her lips. “Come on. Let’s go upstairs so you can make me beg for your forgiveness.”
“Now you’re talking my language.