Chapter 5 #2
But when you were in your twenties going out and getting wasted was what you did.
Twenty-somethings were not interested in sober game nights or picnics.
If you got invited anywhere, there was a pregame at someone’s apartment.
Most of the time you were already feeling the liquor working through your system and you hadn’t even left the house.
Then you’d hit up the bar or club and it was shots, then drinks, followed by more shots.
And if you were in your twenties with a little bit of money there was no limit to the shit you could get into.
“This is what life is about,” Dante said, pouring something into his cup. “Do you know in college I got zero play?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t a starter, and I wasn’t as swole as I am now. But shit, cut to the present and these bitches are practically fighting each other for my attention. And I always say, ladies why fight when you can share.”
I chuckled.
“What about you? I bet you got a ton of bitches in college.”
“Nah, I was in a relationship most of college.”
“A what?” Dante leaned in.
“I had a girlfriend,” I shouted.
“Shit, how do you spell that? Girlfriend?” He said the word like it was foreign to him. “Hopefully you don’t still have that problem.”
“Don’t tell me you’re anti-relationship?”
“I like options. Relationships limit them.”
I nodded thoughtfully. Not going to lie, that was sound logic.
I’d found myself single again after being with Ashley for over a year.
Ashley was fun. She was an influencer, and she was a girly girl.
Her nails were always done, her fit was always right, and when she stood next to me we looked impressive.
I liked Ashley, but that like never quite transitioned into love.
For all her good qualities she was also self-centered, and her physical beauty was her best asset.
She was rude to waitstaff, housekeeping, shit she was crappy to her friends.
I was never going to marry Ashley. It was about a good time but in the last few months it stopped being fun.
She started asking real fucking questions, like where were we headed.
Could I see myself married in the next five years?
The answer to that was yes, just not with her.
I actually said that out loud. As you can imagine a fight ensued, she started to cry, and I said we should end shit now before I hurt her any further. That made her cry harder.
The funny thing is until that moment I didn’t know she cared so deeply.
But maybe the tears were less about me and more about the loss of access my presence provided.
Let’s not pretend dating a ballplayer didn’t come with built-in perks.
Courtside at the games, entry into all the hottest parties just off the strength of my name, and the boost to her social media which included men who were fans of me and wanted to live vicariously through Ashley’s posts of us together.
“Excuse me?” I was pulled from my thoughts to find a Black woman with wicked curves in front of me.
My head jerked back when my brain made the connection of who she was. “Hold up, Anika?”
“You didn’t think you’d be in my city and never run into me did you?”
Dante nudged me. “Who’s this?”
Dante and I both stood. “Uhm, Dante, this is Anika Irwin.” The two exchanged fuck-me eyes and a bit of bile crept up my throat.
“Nice to meet you.” Anika extended her hand and Dante kissed it before literally sucking one of her fingers into his mouth. And to my surprise Anika squealed in delight.
“Could we not.” I inserted myself in between them. “Is Danessa with you?”
“No, you know she can’t be out past her bedtime.” I was unable to hide my disappointment. “But I could call her and convince her to meet us at the … Waffle House maybe.”
“I’m down for the Waffle House. I have alcohol that needs to be sopped up,” Dante said.
I pulled Anika aside. “Do you think she’d actually come out if you asked?” Anika was like family, and she was always good at sniffing our bullshit, so I wasn’t going to try. Yes, I wanted to see Danessa again.
Anika smirked. “I know what to say to convince my sister. You just make sure your fine ass friend is there.”
“Dante? Done.” I swallowed hard. “Uhm also … maybe you could throw on a jacket because I can see your areolas,” I said as delicately as possible.
Anika thrust her chest forward. “Are you slut shaming me Mosley?”
“No, I would never.” My eyes were focused on everything but Anika. “I just … you look cold.”
Anika laughed. “You haven’t changed Aldridge. I see why she still likes you.”
My brain stretched from the new information. Locking eyes with Anika, I asked, “Did she say that?”
“Do you want me to call her or not?”
“Yes, please.”
There were hundreds of bad bitches at the Enclave, and I was only thinking about one.
And truthfully, she was all I could think about since arriving in Vegas.
Before our first meeting I’d seriously contemplated texting her with the “I’m in your city,” message.
When she opened the door to the property in Canyon Gate, part of me thought I willed her there because she was steady on my mind.
I’m not saying I wanted my old thing back.
But we weren’t just lovers, we were also friends and that is what I missed the most. Okay, I also missed the way my dick felt when I was inside of her, but I was trying to keep it classy.
I was stuck in a booth with Dante and Anika who’d quickly shifted from flirting to all out freak nasty talk.
Matching freak levels was cool and all, but I was literally sitting next to them while Dante loudly explained the physical mechanics of The Screwnicorn.
Trust me, do not ask. This is what I get for trying to be friendly.
A few days prior, Nori claimed I wasn’t making an effort to get to know the other players on the team.
I disagreed, stating I was pretty familiar.
Deion tolerated me, Colin Pratt despised me, and all the other players were reserving their opinions of me until our first game.
I wasn’t antisocial, far from it, but the last thing I was going to do was beg someone to sit with me in the cafeteria.
Every day at lunch I was joined by a player from Serbia who only spoke to me in his native tongue although I knew he could speak English.
Dante extending an invitation to hang out was my only olive branch, and if this was going to actually work, I had to at least have a few allies.
He wouldn’t have been my first choice, but he was the only one trying to connect.
But now I was regretting my decision and seriously considering docking Nori’s pay.
Listen, I was in no way a cockblocker if you liked it, I loved it.
But Anika was like a sister to me. And watching her stick her tongue down Dante’s throat was a visual I could have done without.
I was about to call the night a bust and head out when Danessa entered the Waffle House and changed my whole perspective.
Stick with it for the plot, I told myself.
Danessa didn’t immediately spot us, giving me a chance to linger over her frame.
She was dressed casually in sweatpants, a cropped graphic T-shirt, and sneakers.
The outfit was basic, but the bracelets, multiple rings, and brown lined and glossed lips really took the fit over the top.
It was two in the morning and with little effort, this woman was the finest person in the room.
And I know what you’re thinking, that’s an easy title to claim at a Waffle House but trust me it didn’t matter the setting, Danessa would always take the prize.
Anika’s sing-song laughter drew Danessa’s attention in our direction. Her face telegraphed her surprise to see me. That surprise quickly morphed into anger which I hoped wouldn’t be aimed in my direction. Approaching she cleared her throat to pull Anika from out of the crook of Dante’s neck.
Anika pushed Dante out of the booth jumping up. “You made it.”
“I thought you said you didn’t want to eat alone?”
“Oh them? They were here when I got here. Aldridge and I were just catching up.”
“I can see that.” Danessa’s eyes bounced from me to Dante.
“Dante Caldwell, it’s a pleasure to meet you. And might I add you are just as fine as your sister.” His eyes tripped down the length of Danessa’s body stopping at her ass, causing the muscles in my jaw to flex.
“Nice to meet you, Dante. Anika, can I talk to you over there for a minute?”
“Sure.”
The two sisters went to the other side of the diner, and I used that time to draw some boundaries. “Hey, just so we’re on the same page. Danessa is off-limits. No leering, no crude jokes, and absolutely no suggestion of an after-party orgy.”
“Listen, I’m happy with the chick I’m with. I know for a fact I’m getting laid tonight. Can you say the same?” Dante tagged me on the chest.
I wasn’t trying to get laid. I just wanted to see Danessa again.
When the ladies returned. Anika didn’t bother reclaiming her seat. “Dante, could you walk me to the restroom?”
“Why the hell would I do that?”
“Because I’m a lady and if you’re trying to get active tonight it would be in your best interest.” Dante didn’t need any additional convincing. He tossed his arm around Anika and they were off.
Danessa slid into the booth opposite me. “So did you and my sister plan this?”
“No, why would you say that?”
“Because I get that it’s a small world, but it ain’t that small.” She perused the menu.
“We ran into one another at Enclave, and she suggested we grab some food.”
“And how did I get dragged into this exactly?”
I expelled a breath of air. “That I really don’t know.”
Danessa bit down on her full lips. “You are and have always been a horrible liar.”
“I may have mentioned your name.”
“Umm. So who’s this Dante guy?”
“He’s my teammate. And he seems to have taken a liking to your sister.”