Chapter 8 #2
“See what I’m saying,” he laughed. “But nah... just be normal. Don’t force shit and don’t overplay it.
I know it’s gone be some muthafuckas out there in the cracks with their cameras out as soon as they notice me.
I won’t do too much but try not to knee me in my dick if I put my hand on your hip or some shit. ” He smirked.
“Hmm... I’ll see about that.”
Shaking his head, he got out of the driver’s side, nodding at the valet who was close to his side.
He came around my side and opened the door for me and helped me out the truck.
I saw him admiring me again... this time nodding in approval.
Titan grabbed my hand and escorted me inside. I noticed Malik was not far behind us.
When we got inside, he let the hostess know that he had a reservation, and she escorted us to a table in the far corner, away from the crowd. You would think he was hiding, but I get it. With his status, he probably didn’t get to enjoy his privacy.
Once we got to the table, he pulled out my chair before taking his seat. I noticed Malik ducked off in the corner... on guard and on point.
“I bet you thought I was gone take you to Linc’s or some shit like that?” he quizzed with a smirk on his face.
“To be honest... I did, but I wouldn’t have minded one bit. They have some good ass wings,” I simpered.
“Hell, yeah, they do. I’ain want to take you there for a first date though. You deserve better than a ten piece and some fries.”
“Oh, baby, I can eat, so add another ten to that and put some extra seasoning on my fries,” I joked.
That caused Titan to bellow out like we were the only ones in here.
“Shit, that’s good to know,” he laughed. “How’s school, though?” he asked.
“It’s better. I can breathe now,” I admitted. “Thank you ag—”
“You already thanked me once. I’m glad I could help, though. I can tell that shit meant a lot to you,” he said sincerely.
The waiter came and Titan gave them our drink order and ordered the Cajun lamb chops as an appetizer.
“So, what made you want to be a Physical Therapist?” He asked as the waiter sat our drinks down.
“I broke my leg when I was younger, and I had to go through a lot of rehab to be able to walk again without a limp. The therapist I had really loved her job, and that made me want to do the same thing,” I admitted.
“Damn, that’s deep. I see that shit paid off though because you can’t even tell.”
“I have my days sometimes, but that’s rare.” I took a sip of my drink. It was a Pear Blossom and good as hell. “Did you always know you wanted to play football?” I asked.
“Hell yeah. That’s all I wanted to do, but my mama wanted me to make sure I had a degree to fall back on.” He leaned back in his chair.
“So, you have a college degree?” I asked... shocked.
He nodded. “I have my B.A. in Business Administration. That’s how I met my manager. We took the same marketing class, and she was good at her shit, so we became friends and I brought her on when I signed,” he admitted.
“That’s admirable of you,” I clarified.
“I’m a good nigga, Tink. Muthafuckas just can’t stay out my fucking business long enough to see that.” He frowned.
“Well, don’t you think that you give them something to talk about?” I cocked my head to the side.
“How?”
“By the random women. The fights... the scandals. They wouldn’t have anything to talk about if you didn’t give them anything to go off of.” I shrugged.
He stared at me for a few seconds before he spoke up.
“So, if a muthafucka kept telling you that you had a nasty ass attitude and stop being mean to everybody, would you do?” He peered at me.
“First of all, I’m not mean and my attitude isn’t nasty. People just assume because I speak up. That’s on them... not me,” I spat.
“Exactly,” was all he said, and that shut me right on up, so I decided to change the subject.
“You have a sister, right?” I asked.
“Yeah... with her aggravating ass. She’s my assistant, but she thinks she’s my fucking mama with her nosy ass. I’m surprised she hasn’t called me yet to be nosy,” he laughed.
“She knew about the date?”
“She made the reservation, but not before getting into my fucking business,” he laughed. “You have siblings?” he asked.
“No...it’s just me and my mama,” I answered.
“Where your pops at?”
“Dead. I never met him. My mama said he disappeared before I was born. She later found out he was married, so I never got to meet him,” I responded.
“Damn, Tink,” he replied sincerely.
“It’s okay, I can’t miss something that I never had.” I shrugged.
The waiter came back and took our dinner order before he disappeared again. I heard my phone vibrating in my clutch, so I took it out and saw that Nae was texting me.
Nae Bae ????: Bitch are you okay?
Nae Bae ????: Oooh he took you to a five-star restaurant… you might need to let him sniff it a little bit ??
Nae Bae ????: Call me when you get home unless you have a dick down your throat ??
I laughed out loud because that girl was fucking crazy.
“That bet not be another nigga over there laughing you out your panties,” Titan blurted, causing my eyes to snap to him.
“And if it were?” I challenged.
“You’on wanna find out Tink.” He winked before taking a sip of his drink.
The rest of the night went surprisingly well, and I genuinely had a good time.
I didn’t see any cameras, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there.
When we left the restaurant, we left hand in hand, and he helped me back into his truck before driving me home.
When we got to my building, he parked, and this time walked me to the door with Malik trailing behind us.
“I had a good time,” I admitted as I opened the door.
“I did, too. Your little ass ain’t that mean after all,” he laughed.
“Whatever nigga. You aight, too.” I smirked.
“Yeah... I bet. I’m out though. Lock up.” He pulled me into a hug, and my body melted into his. When he let go... I immediately felt abandoned.
I closed the door behind me and caught myself smiling.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?