“For real? It’s only Fall Ball. A lil intrasquad scrimmage,” Tech asserted.
“Well, you know, after that video went viral, there were so many people coming out to defend his stance,” Vez clarified.
“I knew he looked familiar,” Tech snapped his head in my direction.
“SHHHHHH!” I placed my finger to my lips because I knew exactly what he was referring to.
Tech’s eyes narrowed in on me, and I turned away to avoid any further comments. Then my heart felt like it sank to my feet. Yaseer rounded the corner in tailored slacks and a crisp white button up, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms and thetop few buttons undone, just enough to tease the top of his chest tattoo that I was formally acquainted with. Amill and Wayne were behind him. He scanned the bleachers until his eyes landed on me. They came in our direction, and I wanted to melt into a puddle. Yaseer walked with that slow, powerful stride like he knew he was that nigga, and that confidence lit something up in me.
Yaseer climbed to the section of the bleachers, and I stood, wrapping my arms around him. I remained in his arms longer than I intended because the embrace and his familiar scent had me spent. “You wanted to play games, so I had to fit myself into your schedule.”
“You are truly too much,” I blushed.
“Hey Marissa,” Amill greeted me with a hug.
I turned to my family and offered introductions. Everyone was receptive and I was thankful for that. Yaseer sat next to me, and Amill and Wayne sat in front of us.
“I missed you,” I whispered, laying my head on his shoulder.
“I missed you, too. I wasn’t going another day without seeing that smile. People love saying that you make time for what you want, but I also believe sometimes you gotta insert yourself in a motha fuckas life if you trying to solidify your position.”
Yaseer’s words made me blush and feel guilty at the same time. “I promise I’m going to make time for you moving forward. Every day if you let me.”
“I’ll let you,” he confirmed.
I bit into my bottom lip and lifted my head off his shoulder as the coach went to the middle of the field to thank everyone for coming out and got the scrimmage started. Halfway through the game, Yaseer pulled me closer.
“You said you’d make time every day and that starts tonight. Where do you want to go to dinner after this? I know you have tosee your son off, but afterwards. You been running from me all week.”
“I haven’t been running from you. It’s been a busy week.”
“I see, you had time to get your hair braided. I love this shit on you,” he complimented, exhaling slow and deep like he was trying to keep himself in check.
“Thank you,” I bubbled. “I can’t do dinner tonight. I have caterers at my place, and we are all going there for dinner after this. However, you and Amill can join us.”
“I’d love that.”
Lil Q and Jameera came around the corner. His arm draped over her shoulder, and she gripped her hand in his. They were smitten with each other, and anybody with eyes could see it. They approached us and I introduced them to Yaseer before they claimed their seats. Lil Q’s eyes lingered on him for a few seconds before Jameera pulled him to the row in front of us. They sat next to Amill and Wayne, and it took no time for the girls to start chatting, leaving Lil Q free to keep looking back at me.
Yaseer suddenly stood and raised his hand, waving a young man in a pair of slacks and a coral button up shirt over to us. I noticed the blue and white box with green cursive letters sprawled across the front.
“Yaseer,” I squealed, gently tapping my feet and clapping my hands in excitement.
“The cake you requested, Mr. Haynes,” the young man greeted him once he reached us in the bleachers.
Yaseer took the cake and pulled the top open to examine it.
“Good looking, Ellis. You passed your first week trial. I’ll have Gina send you the offer letter and compensation for the week. By Monday, you will have your company issued phone and laptop. I appreciate this,” Yaseer smiled, extending his hands in his direction.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Haynes. I promise you won’t be let down,” Ellis grinned, shaking his hand.
“Now that you’re hired, call me, Yaseer. You can head home. I don’t need anything else today. Enjoy your Saturday.”
“Of course. You guys have an amazing evening,” Ellis waved at us before taking off. His smile was bright enough to light up the universe. Matching the one I wore at the sight of the cake. I didn’t even get to enjoy the previous cake due to Lil Q’s tantrum. Yaseer knew about that and promised he’d get a cake for me before the week was over. I told him that wasn’t necessary and moved on. The bakery that made this little slice of heaven was in Miami. I never thought he’d really go through the trouble.
“Thank you,” I smiled as he sat the box next to me.
Lil Q was mean mugging us from his seat, but I was silently ignoring it until Tech questioned it. We continued enjoying the game until Yaseer excused himself to take a phone call. Amill and Wayne went to the concession stand leaving us alone.
