“Nah, man, don’t start; this one’s off-limits,” Loyal said, snickering.
Tracy laughed and slapped Loyal’s knee before reaching a long arm out to Ellie to squeeze her hand.“She’s pretty, son.”
Ellie blushed and took her seat.
“Old man always running game on every girl I bring home. He been doing that since I was fifteen,” Loyal said, clueing her in. She smiled in amusement.“Nigga always flirting, and Ma, you just be encouraging him.”
“Kind of sounds like you’re a chip off the old block,” Ellie teased.“I’m just saying, considering I just met you, and somehow, you’ve convinced me and my kids to go on a date with you.”
“Thisain’t a date. I’ma do this much differently when you allow me to take you out for real,” he whispered in her ear.“This is…”
“Pity?” she asked, frowning.
“Grace,” he replied.“And us getting to know each other.”
She nodded because she could accept that.
“Mommy, can I get popcorn and soda?” Tessa asked.
“No soda, my love, but yeah, we can get you some popcorn,” Ellie said.“Brook, do you want to take your sister to the concession stand?”
“There’sa waiter for front row,” Loyal informed.
“That’s okay. Tess is an explorer. She only wants the popcorn because she wants to walk to see what she can find along the way,” Ellie explained.
“But, Mom, I’m on live!” Brooklyn protested.
“This girl and this damn live. She’s not even watching the game,” Ellie fussed.“Most girls who sit front rowain’t sitting front row to watch the game. It’s about the look, not the game.”
Ellie shook her head.“I guess,” she responded.
“Come on, little one, let’s go explore,” Loyal said, standing and leading the way up the long staircase that led to theconcessions.
Ellie was winded by the time they got to the top. Loyal seemed to be a regular face at the games. Several people stopped to speak to him as they made their way.
When they got to the concession booth, Loyal picked Tessa up and put her on his shoulders so she could see the menu.
“You can get whatever you want,” he said.
“Not whatever you want, Tess. Baby, be polite and choose two things,” Ellie said, placing limits before her daughter got out of hand. Loyal turned to Ellie, noticing how uptight she was. She wore her day all in her body language. Her arms were crossed, and her brow was bent. Her shoulders were so tight that she looked like she was stuck in a permanent shrug. The confrontation with Cairo had stressed her out.
“Hey,” he said, grabbing her attention.“She’s fine. Relax. Let that shit go, and let me show you and your girls a good time.”
She sighed and nodded.“And there’s no limit with me,” he added.“You want anything?”
“A margarita, please,” she said, smiling.“I’m sorry. I’m just in my head about facing all this tomorrow.”
“Don’t apologize,” Loyal responded.“You dealing with some shit you shouldn’t be. It’s some sucker-ass shit.” He freed one hand from holding Tess and pulled her closer so he could whisper in her ear.“I’m sorry you’re going through that.”
His understanding somehow made her chest feel lighter.
Tess ordered up the menu. She ordered so much stuff that Loyal had to tip the workers to deliver it to their seats.
“These seats really are crazy,” Ellie shouted over the roaring crowd.
“I’m glad you like ‘em,” Loyal stated.“I figured your kids would like the action. I normally chill in the box instead.” He pointed to the hallway where the players access the locker room. There’s an elevator that takes you up to the suite floor.
Ellie ducked as a loose ball flew her way.“Yeah, the box suite sounds like more my speed,” she said, laughing as she picked up the ball and threw it back to the referee.
