Chapter 13
SIENNA
Throughout the game, Yakira and her homegirl’s snarky comments were drowned out by the roar of the crowd, booming of the music and announcer.
The more Yakira attempted to get Whimsy’s attention, the more Whimsy clung to me.
She didn’t even want to sit with her auntie.
That had nothing to do with me. Of course, Yakira took offense.
As the game neared the ending, she forcefully tried to make Whimsy come to her.
“She’s fine right here,” I spoke over the chaos of referee whistles that sounded off followed by the crowd’s loud jeering.
The Jets were down by two points with fifteen seconds left in the game.
I was trying to root for Synder and his teammates, but these birds were adding stress to an already stressful situation.
Yakira rolled her eyes so hard at me that I laughed in her face. That set off her and her homegirl.
“Turn around before you get smacked, ho!” her homegirl warned.
If it weren’t for Whimsy, I would’ve dared this girl to smack me. I was on the job, though, and they weren’t doing anything except taunting me to get me out of character. With my blood simmering, I glared hard at her. I wanted to leap over this seat and strangle her.
“Sienna…”
Somehow, Synder’s low, deep voice broke through the cacophony of noise.
I turned to see him standing a few feet away, on the sidelines.
Intently, he stared at me. He did so until the referee tossed him the ball.
Back in game mode, he threw the ball inbounds.
Everyone held their breath as his teammate threw the ball back at him.
Like butter, Synder spun away from his defender, stepped behind the three-point line, and shot the ball.
His sideline three-pointer made the loudest swoosh sound as it entered the net.
The crowd went crazy. I did too. Fuck his sister and her cockatoo-looking friend. Synder was the star of this show.
On the ride to Synder’s house, he asked, “My sister or her friend say anything crazy to you?”
I glanced at his profile and shrugged. “You know how women can be. Sisters included.”
“Nah, that ain’t what I asked you, mama. You looked upset. What happened?” he questioned.
“Whimsy ignored her, and her friend likes you. Although I don’t like it, catty behavior is expected.”
“I’ll check her about that shit. And fuck her friend.”
“There’s no need for that,” I reasoned.
“Yeah, it is. She’s not about to fuck wit’ you. If I let it slide, she’s gon’ think she can come at you any type of way, and I’m not goin’ for that.”
“She’s your sister, and she probably thinks I’m trying to steal you and Whimsy from her.” I giggled then because it sounded so immature and stupid.
“Shit, you can’t steal what’s yours,” he said.
Side-eyeing him, I waited to see if he corrected his response.
“Fuck. I’d throw myself at you if I knew you wouldn’t disown my ass,” he harped.
Although he was serious, I burst out laughing. “Thank you for respecting my boundaries.”
He shook his head. “Being a gentleman never felt so wrong.”
I laughed harder at his distressed expression. “Aw, poor Synder,” I teased. “My mama would love you.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Nah, for real,” he said. “She would.”
For a minute, things were quiet as he drove. Clearing my throat to break the awkward silence, I said, “Is there a time in your life where you absolutely enjoyed the holidays?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, before I understood the dysfunction that surrounded me. My grandma used to throw elaborate holiday gatherings, and everyone would be there.” His face seemed to light up while talking about his grandmother.
“What’s your grandmother’s name?”
“Sylvia. Mane, you ever been whooped with a shoe and a belt at the same time?” He shook his head while I died laughing. “Every chance I got, I did some stupid shit. And every time she got, she whooped my ass for it.”
I hollered. “No! Not the sweet Synder I know.”
“Shit… I’ve calmed down, baby. Ten years ago, I wasn’t anything to play with.”
I didn’t doubt that. “The league changed you?” I asked.
“Not so much as the weight of my responsibilities did. There I was, a kid in his second year of college, risking it all to go pro. Sure, I had the stats, championships, and accolades to get me there. However, it was one thing to want to play, professionally. It was another beast to carry the pressure of playing professionally.”
“Ah. I understand.”
“So, what about you? Ya boutique is the epitome of the holiday spirit. Plus, you wear red often. You love Christmas?”
Grinning, I said, “I love it bad. There’s something about the scents, sights, and fellowship that brings my spirit so much joy. I could celebrate the holidays every day of the year.”
“Ya family celebrates together every year?” he questioned.
“Without missing a beat,” I replied. “Last year was the first time I didn’t enjoy my holidays.”
“Why not?”
Shrugging, I really didn’t want to talk about it. “It’s not a big deal. So, your grandmother hosted elaborate parties? At some point, you stopped enjoying them?”
Briefly, he glanced at me, then nodded. “The older she got, the crazier the gatherings got. I mean, every family has its issues. Mine just…” He shook his head.
“They don’t get how to grow together. It should be family before everything.
Family is supposed to root for you win, lose, or draw.
Honestly, I don’t know when the last time anyone showed up to my games.
I’ve done what I could to prove to my people that I love them and will forever ride for them.
I’ve stopped lookin’ for them to change. ”
The passion in Synder’s tone gave me pause. I loved how he didn’t mind sharing his true feelings with me. He didn’t sugarcoat them or pretend that his problems didn’t exist. His openness was so fucking attractive.
“If you could have anything for Christmas, what would it be?” I asked.
“Oh, that’s tough,” he replied while smoothing his hand over his beard. “I have everything, right?”
I shrugged. “Do you think you have everything?”
This time he shrugged. “Would it be selfish to want more?”
“Depends on what it is, I guess,” I offered.
“Do you have everything you want?” he questioned me.
It was my turn to respond, but I found myself stumbling. Lost, I turned to the window and watched the passing night. Atlanta was wet and cold tonight. The forecast didn’t call for snow, but a girl could hope.
I never responded to Synder, and when we pulled up to his house, I was relieved. Thank goodness he didn’t pry. Truth was, I felt the same way he did. It would be selfish to want more when I had everything.
When did material things become everything?
Right, I thought. That was shallow to think.
If I wasn’t here with Synder and Whimsy, I’d be back in Niceville Shores going home to no one.
While I was okay with that, being around Synder dredged up yearning inside me that I wanted to deny. Only, I couldn’t.
Inside the house, I quickly prepared Whimsy for bed while Synder showered.
I wanted to have his gift ready by the time he was done.
Thirty minutes later, Whimsy was out like a light.
I hurried to my room to prepare Synder’s gift.
I said I would make his holidays special, and I meant that.
Every day leading up to Christmas, I planned to gift Synder an ornament.
Since he had several Christmas trees throughout the mansion, I figured this was a great idea.
Plus, the custom ornaments could be passed down to his children and so on.
I squealed as I wrapped the first one. Getting them done on such short notice cost triple the price, but Synder was worth it.
The ornaments were a mixture of red hues.
Diamonds accented each ornament, setting off sparkles whenever anyone looked at them.
They were so nice that I planned to get myself a set next Christmas.
Just before Synder got out of the shower, I hustled into his room to place the box on his large bed. As soon as I turned to leave, the shower cut off. Giggling, I hurried out of his room and went downstairs to make him something to eat.
Cooking for Synder was therapeutic for me. He wasn’t the type to demand a thing from me. He ate whatever I cooked, even if it wasn’t gourmet. For the first time, being around an athlete didn’t make me cringe for one reason or another.
Fifteen minutes later, Synder entered the kitchen just as I topped a hefty salad with a grilled salmon filet.
Smiling big, I hoped he liked his gift. When I glanced up, this man’s tattooed chest was bare, showing off the cut of his body.
If it wasn’t for the look on his face, my mouth would’ve dropped in awe.
He looked perplexed, causing my smile to falter.
The ornament was in his hand, and he even looked at it with confusion on his ruggedly handsome face.
Placing the pan on the stove, I thought of a way to wiggle myself out of whatever mess I’d just made.
“Synder—”
His hand came up to halt me from talking as he approached me, and his frown deepened. I swallowed to cover up my nervousness at his nearness. His beard was still damp from the shower, and he smelled like he swam in an ocean of come ride me, Sienna.
“Sienna, baby.” When he stood in front of me, our bodies touched. Synder’s fingers feathered against both of my cheeks. His touch was like the coolest fire. The way his fingers traced my face, I shivered from his touch. “Now I’m referring to you as my baby.”
On the inside, everything melted.
“Would I be wrong if I kissed you right now?” he asked.
Blinking rapidly, I thought of something to say. I wanted to say yes, but my heart and pussy said no.
“Matter of fact, I wanna do more than kiss you. Or is that sayin’ too much?” he added.
My chest rose and fell just as rapidly as I blinked.
Lowly, he chuckled. “Let me chill before you hyperventilate. I’ll settle for that kiss, though.”
Before I knew it, Synder’s lips closed in on mine. It was a quick few pecks, but more electric than anything I’d ever felt.
“This gift is amazing, beautiful, and thoughtful as hell, lil’ baby,” he said against my lips, then kissed me again. Quietly, he retreated. I watched his back, wishing he would turn around and be anything but a gentleman.