Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Symphony was shocked at how much she enjoyed the soccer game.
She watched the game but every now and again, she stole glances at Block as he watched too.
When he was focused on something, he was so handsome.
His looks and charm paired with his skills in the bedroom had Symphony feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
She texted her mother and told her she was going to be gone for the entire day because she didn’t want any surprises.
Mason was coming Sunday, so they could go eat, and she was going to take him shopping.
Saturday belonged to her, and she didn’t want Mason popping up while Block was there.
It hadn’t even been confirmed that he was coming over, but she prayed he was.
Symphony had been thinking about that dick since the last time she got it.
Brazil’s team won and once the game was over, Block introduced Symphony and his brother. When he referred to her as his homie, Brazil’s brows rose.
“I’ve never met any of your female homies.” He adverted his gaze to Symphony. “You must be something serious.”
With a chuckle, she lightly shook her head. “I doubt it.”
Block kissed his teeth. “I didn’t ask for any extra commentary. All you had to do was say hello, nigga. That’s it.”
“Still grumpy as hell.” Brazil looked from his brother to Symphony. “I hope you carry around magical dust like the people in holiday movies. Sprinkle this fool and make his heart grow or whatever the Grinch’s shit did.”
“Aight, let’s go,” Block stated with a frown.
With a smile on her face, Symphony waved goodbye to Brazil and followed Block to the parking lot.
“You hungry?” he turned his head in her direction. The way the sun was shining on him turned his handsomeness up a notch if that was possible. Brazil was fine. Like real fine. But to Symphony, Block was one of the best looking men she’d ever seen.
“I could eat.”
“What you in the mood for?”
“It depends. You want to get take-out, sit down and eat, or go somewhere with a drive-thru?”
“It’s whatever you want.”
“I think I want hibachi. We can do take-out.”
“Bet. Order whatever you want from wherever you want it from. I’ll take steak medium-well with rice and vegetables.”
Block opened the car door for Symphony. As soon as she got inside the car, she unlocked her phone, so she could order their food.
Block left one of his phones in the car, and after starting the engine, he looked through his missed calls and messages.
Symphony found herself wondering if that was his work phone or his personal phone.
She also wondered how many other women he was seeing.
It was too early in for her to be jealous, but she was.
In a perfect world, she’d have a man like him all to herself.
She thought back to a few of Brazil’s teammates that spoke to them in passing. “Your nickname is Block?”
“Yeah. You and some family are the only ones that call me Nasir.”
“Would you prefer that I call you Block?”
“You can call me anything you want as long as it’s not disrespectful.”
“I like being in the minority. I’ll stick with Nasir. I don’t want to be like everybody else.”
Symphony gave him the address of the restaurant that she ordered their food from.
Her phone rang, and when she saw her mother was calling, Symphony hoped she wasn’t calling with bullshit.
Mason was old enough to stay home alone.
However, they tried to refrain from leaving him alone for more than an hour or two simply because of the way he’d been acting out and finding trouble.
Then, there was always the anxiety associated with wondering if there was bad news about Monique.
“Hey.” Symphony answered as Block turned the music down.
“Hey. Where you at?”
“I just left a soccer game. About to get food.”
“Soccer? I didn’t know you liked soccer.”
“It’s something different to do.”
“Yeah, it is. I know I already owe you $500, but if you give me $300 until next week, I’ll give you back $1,000 instead of $800.”
Agitation made Symphony’s jaw muscles flex. “What do you need it for?” she asked in a respectful tone.
“Why does what I need it for matter if I say I’m going to pay you back?”
“It’s not about you paying me back. I’m not rich, but I’m not pressed for money back from you if it’s going to a good cause. I don’t work to fund casino habits.”
“I love how you’re assuming you know what I be doing. Don’t worry about it, Symphony. You have a blessed day. I’ll give you your $500 by the end of tomorrow.”
Sonya ended the call, and Symphony’s heart sank.
It was Monique all over again. When she refused to enable people, they got mad at her.
She didn’t have a relationship with her sister, and she didn’t want her mother to be next.
Yes, she was a strong and resilient person but dealing with two people that she loved battling addictions was too much.
“You good?” Block took his eyes off the road long enough to glance over at her.
She wasn’t really. Symphony’s entire mood had shifted. Talking about the situation wasn’t going to make her feel better. A perfect day had been ruined just that fast.
“Yeah,” she mumbled, but Block could tell she didn’t mean it.
They rode in silence until he arrived at the restaurant. Block took his seatbelt off and turned to face her. “Don’t let other people’s problems fuck up your day.”
“That’s easier said than done.” The way he was peering into her eyes made Symphony’s heart skip a beat. He was so damn fine she almost forgot the reason she was upset.
“It is as long as you have that mindset. Other people’s problems are not your problems. Don’t let anybody guilt trip you into feeling like you’re supposed to do whatever it is they want you to do.”
She knew he was right, but her feelings were still hurt. Maybe she should have just given her mother the money. Words were tangled in her throat and because she didn’t want her voice to crack, Symphony gave a brief nod.
Her breath hitched in her throat as Block leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’m glad we have an understanding.”
As she watched him walk away, Symphony made the decision to worry about later, later.
She would push her mother’s gambling addiction to the back of her mind and enjoy the time she was spending with Block.
Symphony had spent too much time worrying about everyone else.
It was time to focus on herself. Everyone else got to be carefree and irresponsible while letting other people pick up the pieces.
It was time for her to be selfish. Mason was different because he was a minor.
She would do whatever she could for him but as for adults, Symphony was done giving a fuck.
Blak was trying his hardest to act normal, but it was hard.
Earlier when he went to Averi’s home, Blak could have sworn he was being followed.
He took a detour and lost the car that was following him, if it was really following him.
He wasn’t sure if he was just being paranoid, or if there really were eyes on him.
His visit with his uncle was the next day and unfortunately, he was still attending the engagement party that Naomi’s father was throwing them.
Blak didn’t want to go through with the marriage, but he wasn’t telling Naomi that until he spoke with his uncle.
Blak wanted to be up front with Averi about everything, so he was taking her to lunch to tell her about the engagement dinner.
If she got mad at him that’s just what it was.
He was doing what he could at the moment to ensure that his uncle didn’t suffer for his actions.
He was in love with Averi, but he loved his uncle more.
“You good?” Averi bit into a flavorful, fried, prawn.
“Not really,” Blak mumbled. He stared at his untouched plate for a moment before looking at Averi.
“My visit with my uncle is tomorrow. Until I talk to him, I have to keep my word. I can’t back out on the engagement dinner that Naomi’s people are throwing for us tonight.
” Blak waited for Averi’s head to start spinning with bated breath. He knew she was going to be pissed.
Her shoulder lifted slightly. “Okay, so go to the engagement dinner.”
Blak stared at her blankly. Just when he thought he had her figured out, she threw him for a loop. Averi noticed his shock and decided to tell him how she really felt.
“I don’t know about all this shit. Arranged marriages to drug dealers’ daughters and all that.
I just have to assume that this man is powerful.
You made a deal and if backing out of it will cause you to be hurt, then marry her.
” Averi swallowed down a lump, and Blak could tell that was hard for her to say.
“Baby, listen to me. I don’t want to marry her.
If I have to, that’s all it will be. Some shit that’s arranged.
I won’t have sex with her. I promise you.
I was out of pocket for not pulling out, but one thing I’d never do is make a child and not be there.
She can’t keep me from you. Her father can’t either. I put that on everything I love.”