Anthony #2
“Is that what it was?”
“What you think that adult tantrum was on the field? People get upset because they not getting to run up and down the field the way they used to. It’s part of the game. I understand his frustration on a professional level but the way it manifested was uncalled for.”
“So, your coverage was the reason he was upset?” I looked at her and could see she wasn’t going to let up.
“If you were talking trash to a bunch of people and couldn’t get a catch, wouldn’t you be?”
The media had been talking about his social media posts all week.
He was mad at Choo for being drafted ahead of him and for being better than him now.
He thought he was gone get back at my brother by hoing me on the field.
Shut that shit right down and that’s why is ass was mad.
They had paved the way for a confrontation, but were now trying to act innocent.
“Care to elaborate on what was said?”
I laughed again and I knew I looked like an asshole but this wasn’t worth my energy. “Nah, because that doesn’t accomplish anything. I let the scoreboard and my stats speak for me. I think I did my job today and I can go home and sleep well because of that.”
“And what—”
“Let’s move on from interrogating my players. If you need an interview please speak with Stephanie in media relations to have one set up.”
I was so thankful that Rachelle could get this moved along.
Stephanie was out for the day and we weren’t sure why she missed the game but Rachelle was the next senior member in the communications department.
Nobody was going to speak crazy because she was Coach Stew’s wife and they knew he, and therefore we, didn’t play about her.
We were finally done and the next round of players were ushered in to get their moments of asking questions and we could move on with life.
“You staying in or you heading out?” We’d stopped just outside the media room and I was ensuring I had everything.
“Very much laying up with my girl.” I needed to soak but would come back tomorrow for treatment.
“Y’all need to be young as hell. I thought Money was gone be a good influence on you but you over here just as up in the house as his ass.
” Choo had the nerve to look angry at my being mature but I know he was worried.
I’d spent the last few years hustling. He wanted me to enjoy myself, but being with Phro was my enjoyment.
“You worried I’m going to have regrets?”
Antwan had on a custom short set that was made of fabric he had custom made for him. It had his, Rye and Nia’s initials on it interlocking around a P. Shit was fire and he was the only person who could pull it off.
“Yeah. I know I ain’t missing anything. I been there and done all the athlete stuff when I first got in the league so I don’t miss it when I’m in the house.”
“Right. You did that cause you were running away from demons that wanted to chase you and keep you in that toxic shit. And your behavior was letting them win. I’m thankful that I had a brother and an uncle who were gracious enough to force me to heal before I got this opportunity.
Besides, there ain’t shit out there for me but women who would try to make me a trick or have me spending money I got better uses for.
That’s like me leaving my girl at the house just to see and be seen. None of that appeals to me.”
Choo’s brows rose and he was nodding like he was impressed. “You trying to sound healed and shit and I don’t know how to feel about that?”
“Feel like you did your job so well that I learned from the mistakes you made instead of repeating them.”
Choo grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. “Real talk, that’s probably the best gift in the world you could give me. Y’all still need to be young a lil bit but I understand why you’re focused.”
“We’ll do something on the bye. We already talked about it.” We were going to take a few days and run down to somebody’s beach. I was letting Aphrodite handle the logistics because she wanted to do something nice to celebrate before moving.
“You need—”
I patted his chest to stop him ‘cause he was trying to do too much. “I got it, bruh. I appreciate the offer but we're good. You seem to forget your wife keeps me on a budget and I’m not about to have her ass mad at me. We discussed it, put the budget out and I’m good. Save your money big bro, you don’t have to carry me anymore. ”
Antwan looked conflicted at my words. Like his heart and mind were battling with the reality of what I said. He was proud but also worried I was doing too much. In the end, he trusted me, which I appreciated.
“It was never a problem.”
“I know that. But I’m grateful that you no longer need to.”
His hands went to his chest covering his heart being extra as always. “You tossing me away like that?”
“Nah, Twan, you’re always my big brother. I’ll always need you for that. But as a man, I can stand on my own two. Besides, you can always hook me up with your jeweler’s info when the time comes.”
“It’s like that?” For him to have just been talking about me being young and turnt, he looked too excited for me to be talking about rings.
I rubbed my chin knowing I wanted to scream yes but also realizing I might scare the fuck out of Phro if I popped up with a ring. “Not yet, but definitely not long.”
“Smart man.”
“Are you good, baby?” Aphrodite was looking me over like she thought I was going to run after the other team’s bus and tell Carter he owed me one. She walked over with Rye and Nia close behind her.
“Damn, everybody thought I was gonna fight?” I pulled her close to me as Antwan took Nia from Rye.
“Yeah, that fool had you by the face mask and was hitting you. I was ready to fight.”
Aphrodite looked like she was still pissed and with the way Rye was nodding in agreement I knew she’d been up in the suite talking all kinds of shit.
I couldn’t wait to see the replay of the broadcast ‘cause I could only imagine what shots they got of the suite when everything was happening on the field.
“You been around Rye way too fucking long, AP. All this aggression can be dealt with for real.” I kissed the side of her face as Rye flipped me off before taking Antwan’s hand.
“Dealt with? Is that a threat?” Aphrodite didn’t hesitate to run her fingers down the front of my blazer like she was trying to get something started.
I smacked her ass in the black leather she wore and instead of laughing her eyes started flirting with me again. “Nah, it’s a promise.”
“There is a little one over here while y’all are being nasty.” Antwan had his hand covering Nia’s eyes when she wasn’t even paying us attention.
This nigga was hilarious ‘cause he acted like he forgot who he was. “I know you not talking. Them Korean dignitaries probably got your bare ass on film from when they caught you in the pool.”
“That’s when I was young. Do like us and go in the other room. We have decorum.” Antwan spoke like that shit really made a difference that they were sneaking off to fuck with my niece and Gram’s wondering through the house.
Antwan took Rye’s hand as we all headed toward the parking garage. “Whatever. Silas and Grams are waiting on us. You know she would lose her shit if we mess up her dinner.”
When I got the message that I needed to leave practice immediately to head up to the executive level my heart dropped to the floor.
I was worried that Parker’s people had found something wrong with the house that would delay our moving into it.
Since he was replacing the roof and adding new gutters we had the closet space upgraded and some of the carpet ripped out.
Aphrodite had been working with a company that was clearing the land beyond the pool to put in her tennis court.
She was building her team and her life out here with me and showed no ill-effects of having her life basically uprooted.
The minute I carried her across the threshold in July I promised I would do everything I could so she never wanted to leave and now she was here permanently.
She’d gotten her permit and was working with her driving instructor to make sure she could pass her road exam.
Whenever we were together she convinced me to let her drive so she could get her practice hours in.
She didn’t need anymore help but I knew nerves were keeping her from just going for it.
The elevator opened and I was trying to keep my mind from racing. When I saw my brother in the hall getting ready to walk into the conference room I knew this wasn’t about the house at all.
“Fuck is up?”
Choo’s head snapped to me, and his confusion mirrored mine. He dapped me up and pulled me into a hug before he stepped back.
This floor was elaborate as hell but normally no one ever came up here unless they were in some shit. I hadn’t done anything and the league hadn’t fined me for that chest kick to Carter two days ago so I didn’t know why I was here. When you added my brother into the mix none of it made sense.
“I don’t know man but they pulled my ass out of meetings to come up here.
The fuck can be going on?” We were both in shorts and Desperados shirts with the sleeves cut off.
Team issued slides covered our feet and Choo still had his gloves on his hands.
He clearly didn’t expect to be here long but now I wasn’t so damn sure.
The door opened while we were waiting and shit got even more real when we saw it was Steph from media. But she wasn’t alone. Billy, Bryan, Bobby, Parker, Stew and several other members of the business office were sitting inside the meeting room with troubled faces.
Billy and Bryan got up to greet us but there wasn’t the normal smile and laughing about how much bread they’d made us. The seriousness on other faces had me wanting somebody to hurt and speak up now before my brain exploded.
“We've got a situation.”