Cree agreed and tried not to eat so fast, but her dish was delicious. It had the perfect balance of noodles, peanuts, and fresh vegetables. Add that with the sweet, salty and savory spices, and she had the perfect meal.
“What do you do in your free time?” Tristan asked.
“Lately, I haven’t had much free time, but when I do get some, I hang out with family, specifically my sisters. Oh, and now I have a niece and nephew, twins, who I spend time with when I can.”
“Nice! Whose kids?”
“My brother, Zion, and his wife, Raven.”
Cree told him about how the two got together and what a shock it had been for Zion and the family to learn about the twins. Though Tristan hadn’t met her family, he knew about them. She filled him in on the new marriages, as well as Dorian and Lynix’s recent engagement.
When she was done talking about her family, he gave her updates on his. His siblings hadn’t married yet, nor did he have any nieces or nephews. He explained how he was selling some of his properties around the country while looking for a new place for his parents, as well as himself.
“Sounds like you’ve been busy. Now that you’re retired, have you done anything fun?” Cree asked.
He shook his head. “Not really. More than anything, I’ve been trying to get settled in. I always knew I’d return to Chicago, but I didn’t realize how hard it would be to leave Philly. It was my second home, and I made some good friends and connections while there. I’m even missing the fans a little.”
“I bet. With them bowing down to you wherever you go, I can see how it would be hard to leave that type of attention.”
Tristan chuckled. “The notoriety has its pros and cons. Most of the fans have been cool. Every now and then, a jerk will try to start some mess but overall, they’re okay. I’ll miss some aspects of the fame, but I won’t miss some of the reporters who twist the truth and make up their own narratives.”
Cree listened as he told her about the uproar that surrounded him and a few other players a few years ago. They’d been accused of betting on several NFL games, and though some of them had, Tristan insisted he had never bet on any professional sport.
“It was a mess. I ended up filing a defamation suit against the reporter and the media outlet who spewed that nonsense. We settled out of court, and they had to make a public apology. I’ve tried to stay clear of reporters since then or risk knocking someone the hell out.
“But anyway, now that I’ve been forced into retirement, I’m trying to decide what I’ll do with the next chapter of my life.”
Cree understood why he hadn’t wanted to retire yet. He was still in his prime but retiring at such a young age with enough money to live on, he could do whatever he wanted. Including starting a new career.
While they continued eating, small talk flowed easily between them. Tristan told her about how hard it had been to come to terms with his injuries after his last professional football game. Cree could hear the despair in his tone, and it sounded like his injuries and his recovery had been a lot worse than the media had reported.
“I’m glad you’re okay now, but that all had to be scary. I hate you had to experience that,” she said, meaning every word.
“Yeah, it was the second worst time in my life,” he said as he ate and stared down at his plate as he spoke. “The first time was losing you.”
He didn’t look at her when he spoke those words, and Cree’s heart squeezed. Normally, she’d change the subject, but it was time they discussed what happened back then. Not necessarily why they broke up, but what happened after the fact. Or at least discuss a little of what they had endured. Some things she still wasn’t ready to talk about.
“I’m sorry, Tristan,” she said, surprising them both.
Cree could admit to not being one who apologized often, but he deserved an apology.
“I’m sorry I put us through that. Looking back, I wish I would’ve taken a beat before reacting. There are so many things I regret about that time, but… I was hurt by your decision and how you didn’t tell me you were considering a new agent. Yes, I understand why you went with Ralph, but…”
As flashes of that night and their heated argument came to the forefront of her mind, a sudden bout of emotion gripped her. She had lost a part of herself that night, and her self-confidence had taken a major hit. She’d only been twenty-four, newly graduated from law school and had put her heart and soul into starting her sports agency. When Triston shoved her aside for a new agent, it had crushed her.
Unexpected tears filled Cree’s eyes, and a tightness gripped her throat.
What the hell?
She swallowed hard and blinked rapidly, trying to keep the unwanted tears at bay. She wasn’t a crier, but this subject always hit her right in the feels. Actually, anything involving Tristan always had a visceral effect on her, and when they broke up…
“We were supposed to be a team,” she continued, her words coming out on a sob. “Ride or die, we were supposed to be together forever. It was going to be you and me against everyone else, and we were going to be unstoppable. You on the field and me with my sports agency.”
Cree startled when Tristan’s large hand covered hers on top of the table. “Baby, I am so sorry,” he whispered.
He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the inside of her palm.
“If I could go back and make different choices I would. I would’ve fought harder for us, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have signed with Ralph before talking it through with you. But everything moved so quickly. One minute he and I were just having conversations and the next I was a client.
