Anthony #5
“What’s that say about you that you gotta lower your standards to hit on someone that’s second or third string. Don’t let me hol’ you. I hate for the taint of my mediocrity to rub off on you.”
“Your brother wouldn’t waste this opportunity.”
I smirked because this bird thought highly of herself and clearly had a death wish if she went that route.
“If you like playing with your life go over there and say that in fronta his wife. She’s been known to put a disrespectful woman in her place when it comes to my brother.
And his ass is bout crazy as a one of them zombie deer so I’d advise you not to test your luck. ”
I knew she wasn’t expecting me to say some off the wall shit like that so she just rolled her eyes and stomped away.
“And here I was coming to save you.” Money’s ass was grinning as he walked up in a damn hunter green, paisley print tuxedo that only he could pull off.
“Not necessary but very appreciated.” The bottle of water I’d gotten from the bar was cracked open and I took a swig to calm my nerves.
“Bruh, you seen who Runt’s ass brought to this shit?”
“I saw she was beautiful but should I know her or something?” I wasn’t checking her out but Runt’s ass bringing a date when he normally had his head in a book or was on some chill shit was shocking.
Money slapped my chest with the back of his hand like I should’ve known her. “She’s Sampson’s sister.”
“Oh. I mean he’s a good dude and she definitely knows her shit as far as football is concerned if Samp is her brother.”
“He better not mess that shit up cause if Sampson starts shutting down access to the restaurant because his big ass broke her heart I might need to have a word with him.”
“With him? The man that holds the line that allows you to rack up all them yards. You want to fuss at him?” I gave him a nigga try that shit again look.
Money poked out his bottom lip like he had his thinking cap on before shaking his head. “Damn, that sounds like a bad idea.”
“You think? And how about you don’t want him to fuck her over just cause. You ain’t gotta want something out of it.”
Money nodded and pat his chest like he realized he sounded toxic as hell. “Facts. Sterling likes her so we’ll all have to jump his ass if he fucks up.”
A nod was all I could offer him because with the way Runt was looking at that girl we ain’t have to worry about that.
Sterling walked over with a grin on her face and I saw the way Money couldn’t help but grin.
She hadn’t made a sound but just like I could with AP, I was sure he just sensed his peace was near.
“Y’all good over here?”
“Yeah. She was trying to come at me but insult me too.”
Sterling’s nose frowned up confused as she glanced to where the woman walked off to. “How does that even make sense?”
“It doesn’t. She just out here doing whatever.”
“Well, she sees how that works out for her.” She looked back toward the girl then back at me. “You need to call my girl.”
The stare that Sterling was giving me mean that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Her dress was a good compliment to Money’s tuxedo and a play off her name.
The sterling gray material looked like silk and had some drapey shit on the front.
She had some sparkly shit on her eyes that made her look even prettier than she normally did.
It had me sad thinking of how my baby would’ve looked tonight all dressed up.
“Why? She don’t need to hear about some broad trying to holla at me.” I was brushing her off but I was intrigued about what she saw in this situation that I didn’t.
“We all know that you’re innocent, but the way the press might go at her before she has this match.”
Her hand was on her hip and my mind started running about how crazy the press might try to get with this situation. There were plenty of people here and more than a few who were bloggers.
“The last thing I want is for her to be distracted.” I was already pulling out my phone and excusing myself to talk to her.
A simple text wasn’t going to do and just in case this bird was going to make a mountain out of this situation, I wanted her prepared.
I didn’t think she was going to be on social media before her game, but that type of thinking was exactly what could have me caught up and her missing out on history.
I found a quiet spot and hit call glancing around to make sure that nobody was around me listening in.
“Baby?” Her voice was groggy and I knew I’d woken her up.
“Hey, AP. I’m sorry I woke you up.”
“It’s nothing. Is everything okay?” She was shuffling around and me worrying her wasn’t what I wanted.
“It’s fine. Something happened and I wanted to talk to you before rumors started.” I rubbed the back of my head and I hated how bad that sounded.
“Oh? What happened.”
“Some girl that’s here got rejected and I was told it was better to let you know that before rumors had you unprepared to field questions.”
“You rejected her so what’s the big deal?”
“Apparently I should’ve been happy to have her attention and she didn’t take my dismissing her that well.”
AP snickered but I wasn’t sure if it was the funny kind or the don’t make me come through the phone kinda laugh.
“Then yeah she was definitely going to try and do something that had you lookin bad to save face. Thank you for letting me know.”
“Ain’t shit. I’m not letting anybody jeopardize what we have going on. We building a legacy and I’m not letting anything, especially some outside nothingness, fuck us up.”
“I appreciate that. I can sleep better knowing you’re good. Call me in the morning?”
“Will do. You know I gotta see your face before I can get my day started right. You got me spoiled, Phro.”
“If I miss the finals you know I’ll be able to watch you play.” She was saying it like it was a hypothetical I might get behind but she should’ve known me better than that.
“I’d rather have you in the suite with your game shit on and that US Open trophy in the seat next to you.” I could visualize that shit clear as day and I was going to pray and manifest it into existence.
“You’re silly.” She was saying that but I could hear the smile back in her voice.
“I’m dead ass. When you win it, bring it.”
“Is this a bet?”
“Whatever you need to get your mind right. I’m ready to stroll up to Leo’s and order my shit with living Black history by my side.”
She giggled again but it was low indicating she was fading. “You’re never going to stop telling me that are you?”
“I gotta say it to you until you believe it. Change up that inner voice to one that’s always positive right?”
“Right. And thank you for the heads up.”
I nodded knowing she needed to get back to sleep but hating for her to have to go.
“Ain’t shit. We in this for the long haul so we not about to let little shit get us off our game. Rest up, AP. You gotta get one step closer to history tomorrow.”