“So that’s a yes. Starlight, I’m happy that you’re getting some dick even though I would’ve preferred it to be from someone that was going to be serious about you. But you have to understandthat I don’t want my business to get the reputation of having girls that end up with their employers. That’s not a good look for me and I don’t want women who only end up trying to chase a bag darkening my door, do we understand?”
“He is and I’m not about to have people think ill of your business, Dalton. Things happened and it’s not something that was just a fling.” It kinda stung that he felt as though Aldrich couldn’t or wouldn’t be serious about me. I knew it was more like he felt athletes weren’t serious but damn, I could change a man.
And see that’s how girls stay delusional about these men.
“Girl, I just had to get that shit out of the way for legal purposes. Are you happy? He isn’t doing any funny shit is he? Because I will do my best to whoop his ass.” Dalton was way too much of a dandy to be out here fighting but it was cute that he said he’d try. It was nice to think I had family looking out for me for once.
I grinned playfully because his words made me smile and I was glad he wasn’t doubting Aldrich or me. “Do your best? Is that how you relay a threat?”
“Have you seen that man? I don’t stand a chance but because you’re blood I would absolutely try.”
I cracked up but still I had questions. “How did you even see me and where was it?”
“Girl, Denise’s messy ass dropped the link to a story onAthlete’s Dirt. Your mother is on a rampage and I’m trying to give you the head’s up that you were spotted.”
I sighed but it made me almost relieved to know that it was already done. “Thanks for the notice, but I don’t even care.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Dalton sounded stunned but I meant every word I said.
“I don’t care. She can say whatever she wants. I’m happy and that's something that she won’t ever be. She’s been calling me for months, sending me ridiculous text messages and I am tired ofit. I don’t care what she thinks of me. She wants me to give her access to my share of the trust—”
“Well, that’s illegal and against the rules but that’s typical of your mama.”
“Yeah and frankly I’m tired. Of it and her. I’m happy. Being here makes me happy. None of this is easy and there are still things to consider but I’ve found peace and I’m not letting anyone disturb that.”
“Damn, being in Texas did you good. Not to be crass because I think of you as a little sister, but that man sounds like he put a battery in your back.”
He’d put something in me alright but I wasn’t about to say that out loud. “It’s not even him, it’s Ami. I love her deeply, like she’s mine and I could never imagine treating her the way my mom treats me. Anything that might interfere with her joy is an automatic reason for me to stand up for her and for myself.” I spoke unabashedly because I wasn’t about to apologize for how I felt.
“I’m proud of you. Keep doing what you’re doing, Sterling. Your mama can’t touch shit you got going on, let alone your joy.”
“I appreciate it. If you’re in town and want to stop by the game—”
“Hell nah. You’re with a bunch of women who are already taken. And if they’re there you have respect for them. You know I enjoy dealing with chicks that have zero expectations of me. Makes it easier to cut them loose later on.”
People always thought that Dalton was gay because his father started saying it and his being concerned with how he looked solidified it with our family. The one time he had a girlfriend, his father told the girl he was aboard so often that nothing Dalton could do convinced her that he wasn’t DL. He learned early not to bring anyone else home.
“You’re a mess but it’s gone bite you in the ass one day. But I need to get back to the game and my baby.” It was wild how easily calling her mine rolled off my lips.
“Cheer on your man, cousin. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dal. I owe it all to you.”
“Tell that nigga of yours that the check cleared but he can always send me a bonus and a referral.”
I burst out laughing because I knew he wasn’t joking. “Bye, Dalton.”
ALDRICH
I WAS READY to go.
My body was ready. My mind was ready and my heart was at peace. This energy felt good as hell and knowing that my mama, my girl and my baby were up in the box cheering for me. The energy on our sideline was even higher when we watched Aphrodite make history last night. Anthony had been on one all morning, the energy that he had from being named on the fifty-three man roster. We had a unifying need to prove people wrong this year: his was to prove he actually deserved his spot and mine was that I still deserved to be here. My off the field antics as they liked to call it had long since cooled down but now that the season was going on, they wanted to speak on my baby like she was a distraction and not a blessing. How she got here was fucked up, but I wasn’t about to look at her life as a curse and love her any less. I was going to do whatever I needed to prove them wrong.
Besides the people who tried to live in my head and get me off my game, I wanted to contribute. Having another ring and knowing I’d been a part of making the organization that had given me a chance to live out my dreams wasn’t something I took lightly. I was thankful that even with the additions I’d made to my life; I had a partner by my side who understood how important this was to me.
God really be looking out.
I glanced around as we trotted out to a mixture of boos and cheers. Desperados fans traveled well so we were never in astadium that didn’t have a sizeable chunk of our people there. Ant came up beside me and I could tell he was looking nervous.
