Chapter 11
Deion’s house was exactly what I expected it to be, modern, sleek and masculine. Shit, why wasn’t Danessa showing me places like this?
“How much you pay for this place? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“I don’t remember, around six.”
“Six million?” My eyes fled to my hairline.
“Yeah.
“Million?”
“It’s probably worth ten now.”
I wasn’t paying six million on a gotdamn thing.
Following Deion out to the backyard I had to admit it was money well spent.
The yard was manicured with perfectly symmetrical bushes and a waterfall attached to the pool.
It was like an oasis, the tranquil gurgle of the water cascading into the pool could make you forget your worries.
Shit, I was tired of hotel living. I needed a space all my own.
“What happened the other night?” Deion asked.
“Huh?”
“You, Colin, heated exchange.” Deion reached for a nub of cheese. If you told me I’d be hanging out with the Deion McCabe in his backyard noshing on a charcuterie board … shit, if you told me Deion McCabe ate charcuterie boards, I would not have believed you.
“Is that what Colin said?”
“That’s what everybody is saying. They thought you two were going to come to blows.”
“I know Colin’s your friend and all, but he’s an asshole. And he instigated that situation.”
“You could’ve just walked away?”
I blinked owlishly. Was Deion “Bust You in the Head Until the White Meat” McCabe suggesting being the bigger man. “I’m from Philly, we don’t walk away.”
“And that’s why nobody likes you.”
My head jerked backward with surprise. “Excuse me?”
“Colin may be an asshole, but so are you.”
“I was defending myself.”
“You have a slick mouth, and you don’t know when to shut the fuck up.”
“I know you’re not talking about slick mouths.” A female voice from behind us rang out, stealing the words off my tongue.
“A and B conversation Sloane, so—”
“Nope, I have thoughts.” This beautiful woman with wild hair sat down next to Deion.
“Aldridge, this is Sloane. Sloane, Aldridge.”
“Nice to meet you.” I extended a hand she didn’t bother to shake.
“Mmm, normally any time someone meets Sloane, nice isn’t the word they use,” Deion said.
“What? I’m a joy to be around. A joy.”
“You’re my joy. I’ll give you that.” Deion smirked and the two shared a wordless exchange that made me feel like an intruder.
Sloane swept her big curls from her eyes. “So, you’re having problems with Colin?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Colin talks a tough game, but he’s a private school kid who had everything handed to him.”
“So am I,” Deion said.
“Yeah, but you were raised differently.” Sloane grabbed hold of his chin and gave it a shake.
I nodded in agreement. “I’ve known plenty of guys like Colin, all bark no bite.”
“I think someone needs to slap the shit out of him one good time and he’ll tighten up.”
“I like her.” I smiled so big it split my face.
“It’s never easy being the new kid in town. But your game will speak for itself. If you’re really as good as Deion says you are, that will silence the haters.”
I turned to Deion. “You think I’m good.” The thought caused my stomach to trill with excitement. Joining the league allowed me the opportunity to play alongside veterans and the experience had been a mixed bag.
“You can shoot a ball. Don’t read too much into it.
” Deion’s tepid compliment still meant a lot.
Despite what my teammates might think, I wasn’t trying to be an agitator.
I wanted the Ramblers to succeed. I wasn’t stupid enough to truly believe I could make that happen alone.
“Look, you could be the second coming of Jordan but if the team isn’t behind you, you’ll flounder. ”
“What do you suggest?”
“Learn to play nice in the sandbox. Stop acting like a one-man show. Most of the guys understand their role and if you show them some respect, they will fall in line.”
“When have I been disrespectful?”
Sloane looked up from her plate of assorted meats and cheeses. “You’re a cocky little shit and it’s written all over your face.”
“Listen, I’m an elite ballplayer. I’ve worked hard to perfect my craft, and I’m not going to dim my light to make others feel comfortable.”
Both Sloane and Deion broke into uncontrollable laughter.
“Did he say dim his light?” Deion wiped away a tear.
“Sounding like he read one too many self-help books.” Sloane rested her hand on her pregnant belly which jiggled as she laughed.
“Okay, well fuck you Deion. And on a lesser more respectful level, fuck you as well Sloane.”
“Don’t shoot the messenger,” Sloane said.
“Look, I’ve been in this game far longer than you and I’ve worked on teams with all types of personalities and big egos. The times I was happiest were when I was vibing with my teammates. You don’t have to be BFFs but there needs to be mutual respect.”
“If I didn’t respect the players, I wouldn’t have agreed to join the team.”
“Then show it motherfucker.”
“How exactly do I do that?”
“I’m glad you asked. Each month we have a team-building function. The players take turns planning the event and the others show up.”
Shit, I didn’t know I’d be leaving with homework. “What type of event?”
“It can be whatever you want. But no strippers, no drugs, no gambling. I’ll add you to the rotation.”
My voice elevated in pitch. “What does that mean?”
“That you need to plan and coordinate an event for the team. Damn are you dense?” My eyes must have bulged from my head because Deion added. “You can have your assistant make the arrangements. You do have an assistant, right?”
“Yes.”
“Just checking because you have no friends, no place to live, and zero bitches.”
“I have bitches.”
Sloane and Deion both flashed me a dubious look.
“I can plan something, no problem.”
“Aldridge, no corny shit. This is your chance to make a good impression.”
“I understand the assignment, don’t worry about me.”
Deion’s words stuck with me. Mostly the part about having no social life.
So, when Dante reached out and suggested we go on a double date, I actually agreed.
Well first I said no because other than Danessa I didn’t know any other women in Vegas.
Dante shut me down with the offer to set me up with one of his lady friends.
I immediately said no again because I did not want Dante’s sexual hand-me-downs. He assured me he wouldn’t do me dirty.
I finally agreed on the following conditions, no MILFs don’t get me wrong, older women were great, but I was looking for someone I might be able to vibe with long term.
No kids. Eventually I wanted kids, but I wasn’t ready to date a woman who came with an insta family.
Situations like that required you to come correct, and I wasn’t interested in anything serious just yet.
No friends of Anika. I loved Anika as the sister of my ex, but she was not remotely my type.
How she and Danessa were raised in the same house was beyond me because the two couldn’t be more different.
After attending an NA meeting, I rushed home to shower and change before heading out to meet Dante at Sin City Playland, an arcade facility with food, drinks, and popular top forty hits so loud you could hear it from the parking lot.
Tonight was my first date since moving to Vegas and I felt a bit out of practice.
First dates were always awkward, so I would rely on my pro basketball player status to do the heavy lifting tonight.
Checking in on the main level, I walked up the stairs which opened up to the first of three gaming floors.
The music and people laughing and shouting were in competition.
It was a bit of a sensory overload with ringing, dings, and chimes going off every other second.
I didn’t have to find Dante, he found me piecing the noise with a shrill whistle.
Turning in the direction of the noise, I spotted him waving me over.
“You made it.” We exchanged daps.
“I said I’d come and I did.”
“I bet ten dollars you’d flake on us,” Anika said.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re a flake, don’t act surprised.”
“Speaking of flakes, where is my date?”
Anika and Dante exchanged a glance. “She’s loading her gaming card.”
Rubbing my hands together, I peppered them with questions. “What’s her name? Where’s she from?”
“Aren’t you eager? I know it’s been a hot minute since you had any pussy but calm down,” Anika said.
“Why does everyone think I’m hard-pressed for sex?”
Anika patted my arm like I was a pathetic loser. “When’s the last time you experienced a nut that wasn’t self-induced?”
I snatched my arm from her touch. “I don’t have trouble in the woman department, thank you.”
“Says the man who needed me to set him up on a blind date,” Dante said.
“So, I’m a lame for trying to meet new people in this city?”
Dante and Anika consulted one another. “Yes,” they said in unison.
This was the last time I hung out with these two.
I didn’t need to be ganged up on. If this mystery woman wasn’t a ten, we’d all be brawling cause I wasn’t going to subject myself to insults and a five in the face.
The crowd around us seemed to part like the Red Sea and there was Danessa.
It took me a few beats to make the connection this wasn’t an extreme coincidence, Danessa was my date for the night. Did she willingly agree to this?
When Danessa caught sight of me, her face crumbled.
Got it, she’d been hoodwinked like me. Knowing Anika, she’d probably straight up lied to get Danessa here.
Danessa’s face transitioned from surprise to irritation to clenched-fist rage.
Turning to Anika, she unleashed her fury.
“Are you fucking kidding me. You promised.”
“I know, but I lied.”
“Fuck you, Anika. I am so tired of your shit.” Danessa shoulder checked her sister on her way past me and down the stairs.
“Danessa wait,” I called after her, shooting the disastrous duo an angry look.
I caught up with Danessa almost halfway down the block. “Hey, can you slow down?”