Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Titan
I had a meeting with Sasha and Danielle this afternoon, and I already had a feeling that they were going to piss me off.
I’ve been chilling, so they better not be on no bullshit.
Instead of hanging out, I’ve been stalking Tink’s social media.
I learned that she attended CHSU studying physical therapy.
That was some good shit to be in, especially for a nigga like me and my career.
She posted a random picture of herself in her workout attire, and I commented just to fuck with her.
@TitanWR1
Lil’ fine shit ??
I knew that one comment was going to have the blogs all over my shit and hers but fuck them.
“Bubby, you ready?” I looked up and Ailani was looking down at her iPad as she spoke.
“Yeah,” I responded.
“Who’s @ItsCady2U?” Her nosy ass asked.
“None of your business and get out my shit ’fore you see some shit too grown for your eyes,” I joked.
“You’re a nasty ass nigga like your daddy,” she claimed.
“Nigga, that’s your daddy too... the fuck?” I frowned.
“Yeah, but you’re nasty like him... not me.” She shrugged.
After tucking my phone, we headed out and headed toward Sasha’s office. It took me all of forty-five minutes to get there with all this fucking traffic. When we arrived, Sasha and Danielle were already seated at the table, going over something before they acknowledged me.
“Well, hello to y’all ill-mannered muthafuckas too,” I spat as I took a seat.
“Hey, Lani,” they spoke to my sister.
“So, fuck me, huh?” I leaned forward and stared at them. I could already tell this was about to be some bullshit.
“Titan, we need to work on cleaning up your image,” Sasha started. “From the random women, the court cases, and now a rivalry with your own teammate, we have a few people wanting to pull out of their deals because they think it will be bad for business on their end,” she finished.
I sat back in my chair and let her words sink in. It was really some bullshit that they wanted me to change who I was. I wasn’t doing shit to hurt anybody. I minded my own fucking business, but they didn’t know how to mind theirs.
“So, you’re telling me these muthafuckas are trying to tell me how to live my fucking life? Like I’m some kind of fucking show dog for them to prance around and do some fucking tricks?” I snapped.
“That’s not what this is, Titan,” Sasha added.
“Then what the fuck is it, Sash? I go out on that field every fucking week and bust my ass for these muthafuckas and they think they can tell me how to live my life?” My voice elevated because I was beyond pissed.
“They just want you to—”
“—To what?”
“To tone it down a bit,” Danielle added.
I waved her off. “Fuck outta here. They want to control a nigga and I’m not that nigga.”
“Titan, just listen,” Sasha started again. “Danielle came up with a plan that could work... just hear her out.”
I looked between Sasha and Danielle and didn’t say shit. I was already over whatever the fuck they were plotting.
“Bubby, just hear them out,” Ailani voiced. I forgot she was even in here.
I looked at Danielle and spoke. “Go ahead, Dee. What elaborate plan do you have for me?” I sat back in my seat and waited for her to pull a rabbit out a fucking hat.
“Well, after going over everything they seem to have a problem with, I figured we could stage a relationship and that could show them that you are capable of commitment and they’d be more willing to continue to work with you,” she stated and I looked at her like she was speaking another fucking language.
“A relationship? That’s what the fuck you came up with?” I frowned.
“You got something better?” Sasha interjected. “Look, Titan. I know it may not be ideal, but this could work.”
“So, let me get this straight.” I sat up. “You want me to stop fucking random hoes, yet y’all came up with this elaborate scheme for me to pretend like I’m in a relationship with one?” I squinted at them.
“That’s exactly what we’re saying. The only difference is, it’ll be one girl and not a gah damn harem,” Sasha fussed.
I sat back in the chair and blew out an exaggerated breath as I ran my hand through my hair and down my face.
“Can y’all at least let me think about the shit before you force this shit on me?” I asked.
“Yeah, I actually think it’s best for you to sleep on it.
Give yourself some time to get used to the idea.
The good thing about this is that Kinetiq hasn’t said anything yet, and that’s the biggest endorsement you have right now.
We need to get ahead of this before they want to follow the leader,” Danielle stated.
I got up to leave because there wasn’t shit else to say. It was clear that they had already made their minds up about the shit whether I agreed or not. I wasn’t a relationship kind of nigga, yet they decided the shit for me.
“Don’t rule this out, Titan. We’re trying to save your career... not hurt you,” Sasha voiced. Her voice was much calmer now. She knew what type of person I was, so she knew boxing me in a corner wasn’t a good move, but she still had a job to do.
I didn’t respond because I didn’t want to say no foul shit, so I just left with Kalani on my heels. She didn’t speak up again until we got in the car.
“What you thinking, Bubby?” she asked.
“I’m thinking they can suck my dick, but I know that’s some fucked up shit to say,” I huffed.
“They’re just looking out for you,” she offered. “You know Sasha is always in your corner and has your best interests at heart. The best you can do right now is to listen and let them help,” she stated.
“Are you my assistant or my fucking therapist?” I countered.
“I’m your fucking sister before anything and I will always want what’s best for you,” she responded sincerely.
I looked over at my sister and she was right, but right now all I could think about was this random ass relationship that they were trying to force on me.
***
I’ve been in a funk ever since my meeting with Sasha and Danielle. Me? A relationship? Be for-fucking-real. They act like I was a dog ass nigga cheating on my girl or some shit when in reality, I was a single nigga doing single shit.
Now, I was home venting to my boys and Lani. They were the closest people in my circle whom I trusted with this kind of information.
“So, that was the only thing they could’ve come up with?
” Tatum asked. He was the only one with a lady, so he didn’t have these problems. Ava trusted his ass, and she had every right to because he wasn’t out here dogging her ass out.
Ja’Kobe had a baby mama that he couldn’t stand, but that was his shit, not mine, and Trey was just as doggish as me, if not worse.
“Apparently so. They claim that it shows that I know how to commit, but to me it just sounds like they want to control a nigga. My thing is, as long as I take my ass on that field week after week, what I do in my personal life should be none of their business.” I was already annoyed with this shit, and nothing was even in motion yet.
“So, what you plan on doing?” Trey asked.
“I’on plan on doing shit. I’m waiting to see if this shit is really necessary. They claim it’ll help, but I call bullshit.”
“I think you should at least give it a try,” Lani inputted.
Before I was able to shut her idea down, my doorbell rang. Looking at my camera app, I saw it was Kendra. I didn’t say anything to them when I went to let her in.
“Hey, boo,” she sang as I stepped aside to let her in.
I ignored her and walked back to where my company was. When Lani saw her, she started her shit.
“This is why you’re in the position you’re in now. You need to fire this thirsty hoe and find somebody who can actually cook. Mid ass food and you call yourself a chef,” Ailani ranted, causing everybody to laugh at Kendra’s expense... even me.
“Man, chill,” I laughed.
“Really, Titan? You’re going to let her talk to me like that?” Kendra whined.
“Want him to let me beat your ass instead?” Ailani cocked her head to the side waiting for a response.
“Aye, chill out,” I said to my sister. “Kendra, I’m good. I thought I told you that when you texted me.”
“You did, but I wanted to make sure,” she uttered.
“Nah, you wanted to get fucked,” Ailani spat. “Get your ass out before I throw you from the balcony. Ass cook like you learned from Josh’s mama, and you have the nerve to be promoting that shit.” She frowned.
“Man, Lani... cut the shit,” I said firmly. When my sister didn’t like you, she didn’t hesitate to let your ass know, and right now, Kendra was on the receiving end of that.
“Kendra, you can leave, and if I need your services again, I’ll hit you up. Aight?”
She had a somber look on her face, but she nodded and left with her tail tucked.
“Shit, she seems eager. Why not ask her to be your pretend girlfriend?” Miles threw out.
“Or whoever @ItsCady2U is,” Lani inserted.
When she mentioned Cadence, I knew Miles and Kobe were going to clown me.
“That’s the chick from the club, right?” Trey asked.
“Hell yeah,” Tatum said.
“You still messing with that girl?” Kobe asked.
“Nah, I’m cool off her,” I lied.
“Then why are you going through all her pictures and liking them then?” Ailani blabbed.
“Man, stay off my shit. You’re my assistant... not a fucking private detective.” I frowned.
“I mean... she would be a better option if she actually liked you,” Tatum stated.
I thought about it, and he was right. She would be perfect, but she wouldn’t even give me a decent conversation. But after overhearing her girl the other night at the club, I might be able to use that information in my favor.
“Aye, Lani. Find out her class schedule for me,” I said as I leaned up.
“What are you up to?” She squinted her eyes at me.
“I’m doing what these people want me to do... cleaning up my image.” I smirked.
“That mean ass girl is gone beat the good hair off you,” Kobe joked.
“And I’m gone have the time of my life laughing at you, because her little ass stay giving you shit, so I can’t wait to see you pull this off,” Tatum chimed in with Trey joining in.
“I just can’t believe that you actually like a girl, so whoever she is, is already alright in my book,” Ailani mentioned.
I was taking a chance with this shit, but hopefully it wouldn’t take much convincing Tink to agree and get on board. Even if it was for the cameras, I would be all over that shit... and her.