“A what?” Sloanasked.
“Papa told me to always respect a woman’s honey-do list. My mama used to give him all these tasks to get done at the beginning of the day. Didn’t matter how small they were. Sometimes it was simple shit, but he never missed one thing. He said it was the way he built trust with my mama. Showing up, fulfilling her needs, never breaking his word, and fulfilling that damn list. Didn’t matter how big or small. She never needed to nag him because he prided himself on never forgetting,” Cassidy schooled.
“Papa knows something about women,” Sloan smiled.“That’sincredibly sweet.”
“I never saw a man love a woman better than that man loved my mama,” Cassidy stated.
“Is that how you love women?” Sloanasked.
“I haven’t had the chance yet,” Cassidy said shamefully.“Prison took away a lot. When I find the one, I hope to get it half as right as my parents did.”
Sloan felt like she was listening to a fairy tale. Her hand rested underneath her chin, and she gazed at him with dreamy eyes while he spoke.
“Little badass Cassidy has grown up to be quite a man,” she complimented.
He grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck.“Was I that bad?”
“Kind of. Jail wasn’t too far off-brand for you.”
“That’s fucked up,” he shot back. She laughed so hard that she snorted.“I’m glad you find my imprisonment so entertaining.” He couldn’t blame her, though. He had been on a bad path as a teenager and a young man. If the law hadn’t sat him down, the streets would have laid him down. He was lucky to have a second chance.
“You seem to have learned something from it, Cass. Good for you,” she said, getting serious.“Walk me to my car?” she asked.
“That was happening, anyway, don’t insult me,” Cassidy stated seriously.
He followed her outside and walked over to her G-Wagon.“Little Sloan, pushing big toys these days,” he complimented.
She shrugged.“I wanted it until I got it and realized how much gas it sucks up and how rough it rides,” she snickered.
He opened the door for her and held out his hand to help her step up and into the truck.
“Be careful out here. Let me know when you make it home,” he said.
“Is that your slick way of asking for my number?” Sloanasked.
“It wasn’t, but that was smooth as hell,” Cassidy admitted, scratching his temple. Sloan pulled out her phone.“What’s your number?”
“810-785-1325,” Cassidy said.“Have a good night.”
He closed her door and then trudged through the snow back to his lounge as she drove away.
Chapter 6
These seats are so cool! I can’t believe I’m sitting courtside at a professional game! Ma, can you take my picture?” Brooklyn squealed as she turned in her seat and posed with duck lips and a peace sign.
“It comes with a suite, too, if y’all want to switch and watch it from the box at halftime,” Loyal stated, chuckling at Brooklyn’sexcitement.
“This is unreal! I’m trying to go live, but I get like no bars in here. Is thereWiFi?” Brooklyn asked.
“Yeah, let me get you right,” Loyal said. He took her phone and connected theWiFi, and then passed the phone back.“Go ahead and flex all you want.”
Loyal motioned for an older couple, who sat on the end of the row.
“Ellie, this is my stepdad, Robert, and my mom, Tracy,” Loyal shouted the introduction, in an attempt to be heard over the crowd.“These are her girls, Brooklyn and Tessa.”
Ellie leaned in and shook their hands.“It’s nice to meet you!”
“Come on! That’sa foul!” Robert screamed, keeping one eye on the game as he shook her hand.“Basketball is serious business in our family,” the old man explained.“It’s nice to meet you,beautiful.”
