Chapter 9 Hymn
HYMN
Walking into my kitchen, I went over to the stove and gave my chef dap while peering inside one of the pots. “Smells good,” I continued my observation.
“It’s gon’ taste even better too,” he assured me. “I should be done in about fifteen minutes.”
“Bet.”
As I walked over to the bar area to fix myself a drink, Huncho entered the room. When I got in from practice, he was asleep. Now, he was alert, dressed, and about to walk out the door. We still hadn’t been saying much to one another.
“I’m going to Atlanta tomorrow,” he stated as I opened a bottle of tequila.
“I’m staying there until classes start. I enrolled in community college yesterday.
Even if I can’t play ball, I’m still going to work toward my degree.
When I get my two year, I’ll figure something else out.
Maybe finish up at an online university. ”
A wide grin lifted my cheeks. “That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. I’m proud of you, Huncho.”
“Thank you. I’m about to head out to a movie with one of my homegirls.”
I gave him a curt nod before sipping my drink. Huncho telling me he was going to continue his education even without football was a shocker, but it was a good one. I just had to pray that he didn’t go to Atlanta and get into any trouble before it was time for him to come back and start classes.
I was in the comfort of my own home, so I didn’t feel the need to get dressed to the nines, but I didn’t want to look completely homeless during dinner with Brion.
I put on a pair of black pajama pants, a plain black tee, black Versace slippers, and put one of my diamond studs in my ear for a lil’ razzle dazzle.
I also moisturized my beard and put some cologne on. That was as good as it was gon’ get.
After only a few conversations, I still didn’t know a lot about Brion but what I did know was, aside from work and her kids, she didn’t do much else.
Hell, she didn’t really have time for much else.
That was cool with me. She also didn’t give star struck groupie vibes.
We were two adults, and I for sure wouldn’t look at her sideways if we had sex after dinner, but I didn’t expect it.
And that was fine too. Her heartbreak was fresh, and I was more than fine with moving slow.
I couldn’t even be sure what we would lead to, but whatever happened is what it was.
Despite Brion being adamant about the cheating being a deal breaker for her, I wouldn’t be surprised if she took her ex back at some point.
Seven years was a lot of history, and they had three children together.
After seven years of being in a relationship, you don’t just pop out with someone new unless it’s a rebound.
I was deep in thought sipping my drink when the doorbell rang bringing me back to reality.
Standing up, I walked over to the door and when I opened it, I was reminded of just how fine Brion was.
That hair. She rocked her natural hair, and I loved that shit.
She didn’t have makeup on, but she had lash extensions that accentuated her slanted eyes.
Clear gloss made her lips shine, and she had on eyeliner.
Brion was dressed casually in black capri’s, a fitted, black muscle shirt, and black sandals.
Not over the top, not overly dressy, but casual and sexy.
“Damn you looking like that, and I have on pajama pants.”
Her smile showed off her stark white teeth. “You are at home. I wasn’t going to leave out of the house in pajamas. You have a very nice place,” she looked around.
“Thank you. The chef is almost done preparing dinner. You want something to drink?”
“Ummmmm,” she sat down on the couch and contemplated. “Maybe a glass of wine. I don’t want to do too much since the drive back isn’t a quick one.”
“Gotcha.” After nodding my understanding, I went to the wine cooler and grabbed something expensive that would have her feeling good after a few sips but not overly drunk.
“Thank you,” she gave me a small smile as I gave her the glass. “Do you only live in Diamond Cove during the season?”
“Correct. I have a home in Atlanta. During the off season, I don’t do too much besides rest and travel. I have passive income that I invest in because during the off season, I’m not doing any kind of work, and I don’t want to be bothered.”
“And you shouldn’t have to. This is really good,” Brion eyed the wine glass in her hand after tasting it.
“I’ve never drunk wine a day in my life, so I had my sister to stock the wine cooler. I just told her to get the good shit.”
“You don’t drink wine, huh?” she smirked playfully. “So, the good shit is for the guests?”
“Yes, it is,” I chuckled. “I don’t have a lot of company, but my sister comes through a lot when she’s in town. And in the event that I do have a guest like tonight when you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.”
“I know that’s right,” she simpered.
The chef walked into the room with a small smile and a head nod. “The food is done. I prepared steak fried rice with sauteed vegetables, shrimp egg rolls, and red velvet cupcakes for dessert.”
I stood, walked over to him, and gave him dap. “Appreciate you, man. See you next week.”
Walking over to the bar, I set my cup down and grabbed the tequila.
One more shot would do me right. I wasn’t trying to get drunk.
Just a nice lil’ buzz to help me sleep better.
In the kitchen, I pulled a chair out for Brion, and she thanked me.
The chef had already fixed our plates and left pitchers of water and lemonade on the table.
“This looks amazing,” Brion’s gaze poured over the food.
“My man can cook his ass off,” I assured her. “I’ve never tasted anything he cooked that wasn’t top tier.”
After bowing our heads, we said grace, and I finished off my drink. Before I could grab my fork, Brion was chewing. “Oh my God,” she moaned with her eyes closed. “How hard do I have to work to be able to afford him?”
“I’ve used him for so long that I don’t know his regular prices. We have a set amount locked in, and I tip him lovely. But anytime he cooks for me, you’re welcome to some.”
“This would have for sure come in handy when the girls were smaller. Honestly, even now that I’m working.
Women that can afford help are very lucky.
I love my kids, and I was never mad at staying home with them, but I also like being able to work and make my own money.
Working, raising kids, maintaining a house, it’s a lot. ”
“Do you want more kids?” I put a forkful of food in my mouth. “Got damn that’s good.”
Brion laughed. “It’s actually delicious. I’m not sure. I’m leaning toward no. My ex wanted another, but he wasn’t hands on enough with the three we had, so that was a hard pass. And for sure no more babies out of wedlock, so yeah, there’s that.”
“I feel you on that.”
“When did your love for football start?” Brion changed the subject while digging into her food.
I told Brion all about how I used to climb onto my grandfather’s lap when I was six and watch football with him.
For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be like the guys on television playing ball.
Even after both of our plates were clean, we conversed for at least another hour.
To my surprise, I didn’t want the night to end, but Brion had to get home, and I had to get some sleep.
Walking over to the cabinet, I told her to take some cupcakes to her daughters.
After placing four cupcakes into a Tupperware container, I walked Brion to the door. “I enjoyed dinner.”
With a sheepish grin, she shifted her weight. “I did too. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Look, I know your situation, and I know you need time. But would it be too much to ask if I wanted to see you again? I know you might be tired of coming to my home, but I’m sure you understand why I want to be private.
That being said, maybe we can take a flight to Atlanta, go to my house there, and watch a movie in the theatre room. ”
“Atlanta? Um, I don’t mind, but I have to get back with you on the date. My ex is supposed to get the girls on the weekends, but he hasn’t proved to be the most trustworthy or reliable.”
“That’s cool, and there’s no pressure. Get back with me when you can.”
“I will.” Brion tossed another smile my way before leaving.
Chuckling, I closed the door. The first woman I’d liked in a long time was newly single with three kids. Go figure.
Eyeing Isaac as he sipped his drink, I waited to see if he was going to tell me what was stressing him.
Going out for drinks after practice wasn’t on the agenda, but Isaac had seemed distracted and troubled all throughout practice.
I was trying to lay off alcohol for a week or two, so I had water.
Just as I parted my lips to speak, he sighed.
“I looked in London’s phone.” Isaac’s gaze remained on the table. He didn’t even look me in my face as he spoke.
My brows hiked as I waited for him to finish. Maybe I was being na?ve as hell but even with the somber look on his face, no one could make me believe that he’d found anything in her phone that indicated she was a bad person.
Isaac took another sip of his drink. “She’s been communicating with her high school sweetheart.”
I wasn’t trying to be bias. I knew Isaac before I knew London. The reason I knew London was because of Isaac. When it came to people, I wasn’t the best judge of character but either London was a good one or a damn good actress.
“Communicating how?”
“His fiancée died three months ago, and he moved back here from New York. The shit started with him saying hey, how you doing, and all that fuck shit. That led to her asking him how he was, and he started that woe is me, my girl died and shit. She’s been checking on him and consoling him for the past few weeks, and I don’t like that shit.
I think the nigga is trying to cry his way into some pussy. ”
Nothing about what he said was funny, but I laughed anyway. “Isaac, bro, you can’t be for real. You might not know this dude, and you’re not wrong to side eye him. But, you know your wife, and I know you trust her.”
“I do for the most part, but she hasn’t mentioned the fact that he reached out to her. London is a girl’s girl. She’s sweet, nice, and all that, but she wouldn’t want me conversing with an ex on a regular basis. You know how pissed I’m gon’ be if I’m out here being faithful for nothing?”
I stared at Isaac in awe. “I know you hit your head in practice. You had to. Faithful for nothing? You don’t even believe that. I’m not saying you have to like it, but she’s not cheating on you. I don’t even see London getting down like that.”
Isaac didn’t respond. There was no way I could pretend that I knew his wife better than he did.
The man looked real life stressed. If he really thought she was capable of cheating, I couldn’t convince him otherwise.
I just hoped he wasn’t using his anger to try and justify him doing some fuck shit.
The groupies and sack chasers weren’t worth it.
London was genuine and authentic. She loved that man, and I was willing to bet my last on that.
He finished his drink off then ordered another one. “Go home and talk to your wife.”
“He was the nigga that took her virginity.” Clearly, Isaac was bothered by dude.
“What the hell does that mean? You think she’s still hung up on the person she lost her virginity to when she’s married to you?”
“That nigga is going to find a way to weasel his way into her life. If he was so sad about his shorty, he wouldn’t be reaching out to mine every day. Pretending to be vulnerable and shit. Sucka ass nigga,” he seethed.
Clearly, whatever Isaac was feeling, he needed to vent and get it off his chest. I was done with the motivational speeches because Isaac clearly wanted to pout and be in his feelings.
I wasn’t married. Had never been married.
Honestly, I wasn’t even for sure I’d ever been in love.
So, I couldn’t relate to what he was going through, and I was trying hard not to judge him.
But something in my gut was telling me that London would never do him like that.
Life was stressful enough. Currently, with the things I was going through with my mother and Huncho, adding in relationship drama probably would have sent me over the edge.
These were the times I felt I was better off single.
Isaac and London were everybody’s couple goals.
On the outside looking in they had the perfect relationship but yet, here he was the day before game day getting drunk and looking like he wanted to cry.
When he was done with his drink, Isaac looked over at me. “Thank you for listening to me whine like a bitch. I’m going to go home and talk to my wife.”
“I think that’s a great idea. Communication is the key. You got it? Com-mu-ni-cate.”
“Fuck outta here,” Isaac chuckled standing.
It was the middle of the season, and I was super focused. So focused that it wasn’t even bothering me that on average, I was only having sex two or three times a month. I needed my head all the way in the game. Women could wait.