Chapter 39
CHAPTER 39
T he Draft
Maribel
“I’ll get that order for those wings and fries in right away,” the bartender calls to me as he pours some guy a few seats down a drink.
“Thanks,” I whisper and nod even though I know he can’t hear me.
I’m sitting in the bar at the airport. I wish I had something stronger than this glass of water in my hands. My nerves are shot.
I’m exhausted. I didn’t come straight to my final destination. We didn’t know if Dez was having me followed. After going to the hotel and dying my hair, I then hopped on a bus and rode a few states over.
Ximena met me there as she was able to swap flights with another flight attendant. There, she was able to get the help of some friends who got me onto my flight to my final destination. So here I sit in a bar in the airport in Boston.
Ximena told me to wait here for a friend of hers who would keep me safe. “They will find you.” Her words are ringing in my ears as I sit here with knots in my stomach.
My eyes are glued to the TV screen. The draft is about to start. The bartender was more than happy to turn to it when I asked.
I clench the glass between my hands as the program starts. The announcers are going through all the baseball hopefuls. My chest swells with pride as Caleb is mentioned and they begin to show his highlights.
I’m in complete awe as I realize this guy has been autistic all this time. I smirk. This is some Cam shit for real. Way to stick it to those who say what can’t be done.
They begin to talk about his twin brother next. My eyes start to tear up as I watch the highlights of the father of my child. Then, they cut to a frame of the brothers sitting together. Nicole looks amazing sitting next to Cal.
Then there’s Cam. My mouth falls open as they zoom in on him. Cameron has always been fine. But Cam, with a low-fade crew cut, is fire.
David Beckham has nothing on my baby daddy. Cam is clean-shaven as usual, so when he looks up into the camera and smiles, those cute-ass, sexy dimples pop and my heart stops. Butterflies take flight in my belly and my eyes burn with tears.
The twins still have the same face, but now you can’t mistake the two for each other. I’m super nervous now. I have to remind myself to breathe as I continue to watch. Caleb is the first of the twins to be drafted. I’m so happy for him.
I watch as Cam hugs his brother tightly before he heads for the stage. However, when he releases him, they both look nervous. For a moment, I think Cam is going to follow him up on stage.
His face says he wants to. However, instead, he moves back to his seat as Cal strolls up on stage. The bartender comes and places a hot plate of wings and fries in front of me, causing my mouth to water.
“I sure do hope those twins go to the same team. I’ve seen a few of their collegiate games. They’re dynamic together. I was hoping my guys would get them, but I’m happy for them either way,” the bartender says.
He then raps his knuckles on the bar top and goes to pour a drink for another customer. I’m too nervous to touch my food. The next team is on the clock.
Like the guy said, I hope the brothers get to stay together. Especially now that I know about Cal. I hold my breath as they go to announce the next player to be drafted to Atlanta.
“Cameron Perry.”
It’s like his name echoes through the bar. I don’t know how to feel. It’s not New York or Texas, but that’s as much a problem as it is a good thing. Cam will be so far from his family and his brother.
I still don’t know how this is supposed to work out. Cam smiles for the camera and puts the cap on his head like this is the greatest day of his life. I’m proud of him.
“This is the father, no?” I turn to find a woman standing right on top of me.
I mean, she’s all in my personal space. She’s around my height and has pretty brown eyes. Although she’s not making eye contact with me, her eyes stand out. They are large and bright, and her lashes are amazing.
Everything about her face is pretty, her nose, her mouth, those eyes. Sis has some of the nicest locs I’ve ever seen. They are neatly styled and look freshly done.
I blink a few times as I look up at her. I’m at a loss for words. She looks around us then lifts her hand for the bartender.
“We should get moving. He can box your food, or you can wait for them to prepare you something at the house. My chef is world-renowned. You will enjoy her cooking,” she says in a robotic way.
“We can leave it,” I say, having lost my appetite.
“I am Symphony. Ximena has sent me here for you. First rule, never do what you just did. If you don’t know someone, do not engage.”
“But … wait, how do I know you’re the one who I’m supposed to be waiting for?”
“Do you have the Rubik’s Cube?”
I nod and go to grab the cube from my bag.
“Go ahead and mix it up,” she says then holds her hand out.
I twist it and mix the colors up. Then I hand it over to her. She solves it right before my face. I don’t even think she takes a minute to complete it, just as Ximena said.
She hands it back to me. Then pulls her phone from her pocket and starts tapping away at it. My burner phone chimes and I look down at it.
I open the text and find a picture of Symphony holding up a phone. I zoom in and see Ximena giving me a thumbs-up on the phone screen.
“I and anyone connected to me will always verify themselves with two forms of verification like this.”
I nod and stand to grab my things so we can leave. She settles my bill, and we go. We’re both silent until we get to the parking garage.
There is a driver waiting for us with a sleek black car. We slide into the back as the driver takes my things to place them in the trunk. I have so many questions, but I don’t know where to start.
“Ximena is a good friend of mine. You are safe here with me. Not only am I protected and looked after, but I also have the skills of someone your ex never wants to meet. If he finds you here, he will die,” she says matter-of-factly.
“How do you know my cousin?”
“I once saved her life, and we became friends. I don’t make friends easily. She was kind to me.”
I nod my head. That was one of my questions. I still have a million more.
“You are allowed free rein of my estate. However, if my family comes to visit, I will restrict some areas.”
“I will need to find a doctor.”
“Yes, for the pregnancy. I will help you with that. I have a client who owes me a favor. You will be taken care of.”
“A client? What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m an assassin for hire, but if you meet my husband, you are not to tell him what I’m up to. As far as he is concerned, I am a principal dancer and an accomplished pianist.”
After those words, I have nothing else to say. I think I’m pretty damn safe with this woman.