But more important than his dick I was worried about his mental. I placed both hands on either side of his face and lifted his head up so he could look at me.
“You good?”
He blinked once before slowly nodding his head. “Yeah. I mean I was, I am embarrassed about all of this but that’s something I have to work on in therapy.”
“And you’re still interested in going?”
“I have no interest in it whatsoever but I know it’s something I have to do in order to stay healthy. I look at it as a type of training. I run and lift to make sure I keep my body right for myjob. I go talk to doc to keep my mind right for you and Ami. Ain’t no question I’m going to stay in top shape for both roles.” He kissed me easily ignoring the sweet words he’d just spoken that made my heart clench.
“We appreciate that.”
“I know. Now, I’m gonna get Ami’s ass since she wanna take a short nap. You mind reheating the food? I’m hungry as hell.” Aldrich rubbed his stomach and I was thankful he had an appetite after what he’d revealed.
“Yeah, I got it.” He stood up still holding my legs around his waist, before slowly lowering them to the ground so I could stand on my own. He didn’t let me too far out of his grasp before he squeezed me close so I knew how hard he was.
“How you gone be nasty going to get the baby?”
He leaned over and squeezed my ass before kissing me on the cheek. “Just reminding you of what you got coming your way later.”
“You’re a mess.”
“After we eat I got Ami. Take some time and do what you need. Get your nails done or call someone here to do them if you don’t want to go out.”
My face perked up because a pedicure sounded nice. “You know someone?”
“No, but I’m sure the ladies have an idea. I just want you to have a break.”
“Thank you. I have some stuff I need to sew so I appreciate it.”
“Any time. And thank you, Ling. You can’t even understand how much you’ve changed my life. I have no problem spending the rest of it showing you how much of a blessing you really are.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Box Business
STERLING
THIS WASN’T MY first time here at Arthur Ashe stadium but I had to admit it was the most fun. I was nervous for my girl. Nervous not because I didn’t think she could do what she was about to, but because I wanted it as bad for her as I knew she wanted it for herself. Seeing her train the way she had to get back from her injury inspired me. Living and being friends with professional athletes gave me a newfound respect for how much time and effort went into what they did to maintain the standards of excellence they had.
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind. I had made my first appearance with Aldrich at the Desperados Gala that the team held before the season started. I was so proud that I’d kept my cool and hadn’t refused to attend. The thought had crossed my mind. But Aphrodite cursed me out as she helped me pick the design for my dress. Aldrich had waited until ten days before to even let me know about the event, which had me pissed off. I wanted to make something custom but was worried I wasn’t going to have time. Instead of stretching myself too thin I had several pieces overnighted from Freeman’s. None of them seemed quite right but there was a clear favorite when I was on the phone with Aphrodite. We talked about what changes I could make and I’d fixed the dress to my liking. The fabric was a sterling gray with a sheen to it and had been slightly too long. The strapless silhouette was too boxy for the newly formed curves that my exercising had given me. I was still plus-sized,still soft like I liked, but I enjoyed the hint of muscles I started to see.
My workouts having re-contoured my body was driven home when I started to tailor my dress and my custom dress form was no longer the correct measurements because my dress was loose even after altering it. Since Aldrich knew about my family, I didn’t feel weird having some of my jewelry sent down and the diamond teardrop earrings were the perfect complement to the halter neck style I’d reshaped my dress into. Everyone had given me a warm welcome and despite my missing Aphrodite since she was already in New York, I’d had fun spending time with theMVP wivesand catching up with Carine and Rachelle. We had so much fun at the gala that we made plans for a long weekend for the first game. Which is why we were here.
“I feel like I’m about to throw up.”
I gave a knowing smile to Yzabel who had to practically ditch her husband to make it tonight. I hated that Porsha wasn’t able to come tonight because her man had an event for his label. I was amazed that so many successful Black women were able not only to be friends but to truly support one another and be genuine about it. The guard I’d held up before the luncheon had crumbled and was basically gone. I could laugh without fear of judgement and be excited without thinking someone would make fun of my joy. It was foreign but the good kind of foreign.
Porsha and her husband would be in attendance for the game tomorrow because I’d asked them to come once we saw they would be in New York as well. Porsha said she was going to be in attendance with or without her husband. She really thought that man was going to let her out of his sight and I found that hilarious.
“I know. I want to be all confident like I just know she’s going to win because I don’t doubt her talent. But this is still a game after all. Anything can happen. I need to channel my inner Billy.”My hands were sweaty as if I were the one getting ready to play this point and I tried to keep my thoughts positive.
“Willa is about to shit her pants too. She wears that poker face better than anyone, but you can always tell when she starts to touch her hair or does that thing with her brows when they get tight that she’s fighting to keep calm.” Yzzy looked like her sister but not carbon copies. She favored their mother more with her green eyes but had the same big curly hair as her sister.
I watched as Billy ran a hand through her big hair again, tousling the curls around her shoulders despite her face remaining confident.
“She needs to give lessons.” I had a poker face but it wasn’t nearly as good as hers.
Yzzy laughed quietly so as not to disturb the quiet of this break. “I think it’s got to be genetic. Mama has it too. Me? I wear all my emotions on my face. I can’t help it.”
