“I’ve seen some of the comments asking me about my ex-fiancée, Natika, and her wedding with Shannon. I wanted to address that but in my own way. A very special person helped me realize that I’m over that part of my life. It’s been a year this weekend, but I’m not settled in that space anymore. Y’all give it more credence than either Natika, Shannon, or I do.
“Anyone who knows Natika knows that she’s a good person who loves deeply, and she’s fiercely loyal to those in her circle. It just wasn’t meant to be for us. It was fucked up the way that it happened, but it is what it is. Those folks have gone on with their lives, and so have I. I wish them nothing but the best and all the happiness they can handle.
“A lot of you have had a lot to say about me, and there are some who have had a lot to say about her. Well, I’ll say this . . . I have never, nor will I ever, put my hands on a woman. She just fell out of love with me and in love with someone else. Did that shit hurt my ego and heart? Hell yeah, but life is meant to be lived, and I’m living mine. I saw some of the signs at the game last weekend before he married her. Y’all let that man love that woman in peace. I think they get the message. Ladies, quit bashing me. I’m a good man. I promise you that I am. Natika would be the first to admit it. It’s all good, though, because some special, beautiful woman is gonna realize it and snatch my ass up. Then y’all gon’ be hating again.”
I chuckled. I saw a question in the chat that I couldn’t ignore. A smile plagued my lips as I replied, “Yes, @theeNyakobella, I’m still on the market—but some beautiful woman did pierce my heart this weekend.”
She had found me.
8
NAVY – MIX-UPS
Igenuinely felt good after that public, heartfelt speech about Natika, but even more than that was the way that I felt seeing Nyako in my chat. I had seen the moment that she entered it, but I wasn’t sure if it was her or not, despite the official blue check mark beside her name. Her question left no doubt in my mind that it was her who was stalking me.
I pushed it out of my mind for the remainder of the ride. She had probably been checking out the wedding photos of Natika and Shannon and seen my live feed suggested, since my name was often linked with theirs, especially at this first anniversary of that famous fiasco I created at the stadium. I tried to shove Nyako out of my thoughts and mind.
I didn’t follow the fashion world, but it was hard to miss a woman like Nyako Bellacorte. She was not only universally famous, but she was a stunning beauty. At five-eleven, she was one of the few women who came close to matching my six feet and three-inch height.
Smooth sepia skin was rich and luscious like a Dove bar. Her features were angular, precise, and perfectly symmetric from her high cheek bones to the angular nose with its snubbed, upturnedpoint. Between that and her upturned, nut-brown eyes with their long lashes, her appearance gave snobbish vibes, but the woman was anything but.
Thick arched eyebrows and full, heart-shaped lips added a polished touch to her diamond-shaped face. Nyako wore her hair cut short on top and shaved on the sides and in the back. She truly wanted to take away from everything else and bring exclusive attention to her regal, sleek features, . . . and though she was a model, her slim curves were very visible.
My phone rang again, and rather than ignoring it, I stepped out of the shower and vigorously rubbed the water from my face and hair with my towel. I fucked up sleeping with a woman like Nyako. She was all I thought about since I left her at the airport. Only an hour had passed since I arrived at the Airbnb, but I hadn’t been able to scrub her from my thoughts.
It was a little after eight, and though it was early for me, I wanted to go to bed. I needed to sleep a couple of days after being stranded at the airport in Colorado. When it was all over, then I would be ready to face the world.
I hadn’t even alerted my parents that I was coming to town. I needed some time to unwind. Because before I ran into Nyako, I was prepared to bury myself in alcohol and women this weekend and the next week. This last year had knocked quarters out of my ass.
No sooner than I posted that live and ended the call, my agent, our PR rep, my social media coordinator, Zach, and my coach had been calling me. I had ignored all their calls, opting to handle things myself, and I was getting ready for some much-needed R & R.
I saw that it was Zach calling back. Ignoring my gut instinct, I answered the phone.
“Aye, what’s good?”
“I wish I knew. Your accounts are blowing up like crazy. Why didn’t you call me before you went live?”
“It was something I felt I needed to do. I called Natika, and after I finished the call with her, I knew that I wanted to address the fans’ questions.”
“That’s all fine and well, dude, but you gotta prepare a brother. I mean, that’s all they’ve been asking you for this last year. You had to know that was going to be bananas.”
“My bad. Sometimes, there’s no time for that.”
“Listen, your fans are still commenting on that video, and they’re asking questions about the special person you mentioned. A couple have noticed that the model, Nyako, entered the chat. They’re wondering if she and you have something going on. Got the women going crazy, and some saying only another woman could have triggered you to come on and clear the air on your feelings about Natika. You should address your fans concerns and comments, Navy.”
“That’s what I’m paying you for.”
“You’re right, but it would help if I had some solid answers myself, or at least a base from which to start.”
“Listen, I just arrived at my destination. I need some time to unwind and breathe.”
“A’ight. I feel you. Call me, Navy.”
“I will. Give me at least a couple of days.”
“Damn it, Navy.”
“Two days, Zach.”
