“Vegas has a rich history, you know Elvis … Tom Jones … the Rat Pack … the Bunny Ranch.”
“How do you know about the Bunny Ranch?”
“Are you kidding, that’s the reason I agreed to join the Ramblers.”
“I thought Vegas was a shit hole?”
“I never called it that. It’s hot as hell and the residents tend to stare, but I’m learning this city has some redeeming qualities.”
“You’re Aldridge Mosley of course people stare.”
“Someone should tell them it’s rude.”
“I thought you’d be used to people asking for autographs and singing your praises.” She pushed the foil from her burrito, taking another bite.
“I don’t ever wanna get used to that. It’s weird. I’m just a guy who’s good with a ball. The Stan culture is disarming.”
“You handle it well.”
“Because I don’t wanna be the headline story on SportsCenter. First rule of being an NBA player is, keep your nose clean.”
Her brows inched up her forehead. “I don’t think I could willing surrender my privacy for wealth and fame.”
“Fame takes for sure but it also gives back when you have talent to go with the celebrity.”
“Sounds like the cost is worth it for you.”
“This job allows me to support my family. If I get stopped in the mall or at the grocery store so be it.”
“The love from the fans is also a great motivator.”
“There’s nothing like locking eyes with a kid in the crowd with my jersey on. That’s something you never get used to.” I could never afford to attend professional sports games as a kid, but I did stand outside and arena waiting for my favoriteplayer to make an appearance, and was rewarded with a signed basketball from Deion McCabe.
“It’s cool knowing you’re out here inspiring the next crop of young ball players.”
“I don’t know about all that.” The thought of being someone idol was unsettling.
“Well, I do. Some kid is out there right now with your poster on their wall watching the highlights from tonight’s game and taking notes.” While I wore blinders singularly focused on my next goal, Danessa was always thinking about the bigger picture and my legacy. I was just manifesting a championship, but Nessa was already envisioning my number getting retired and me being inducted into the basketball hall of fame. I’d missed having her in my corner.
We both focused on our food and looked to the crowd for entertainment. I took the time to workshop the logistics behind a do over. There was a reason Danessa was back in my life. Maybe there were lessons we still needed to learn. Or perhaps it was the universe’s way of telling me Danessa was my person, which was something I’d started to doubt the longer we were apart.
“I’m tapping out. I can’t eat anymore.”
“Lightweight.” My burrito was already gone. “So did Anika go home?”
“No, she went to celebrate with herfiancé.”
“That is still so bizarre. I mean he’s a fuckboy, she’s a fuckgirl. What could they possibly have in common?”
“The fuckary is the common thread. They’re both chaotic and spontaneous. Just like their whirlwind romance.”
“I say we place an over-under type bet on the union because there is no way.”
“He gave her an official ring.”
I gasped. “Shut up.”
“Five carats, pear-shaped, flawless diamond.”
