Grinning, I placed a small scoop of ice cream in my mouth. “You’re the main reason I’ve stayed sane and haven’t crashed out from cabin fever. A pretty distraction never hurt anybody.”
“You sure know how to flatter a girl,” Brion simpered. “You’ll be back on the field before you know it. Enjoy your last few weeks of rest.”
I was starting to feel like Isaac had done his big one when he encouraged me to get at Brion. I saw two young, black boys who appeared to be around eight or nine approaching. I looked over, and they were inching forward hesitantly. When I smiled, they smiled back and moved toward me with ease. A man that I assumed was their father turned around from disposing of his trash, and his eyes widened before he took long strides in our direction.
“Is your name, Hymn?” the taller of the two asked.
“It sure is,” I grinned. “I take it you like football.”
The young man nodded eagerly as his father approached. “I’m so sorry. I told them not to bother you.”
“They’re good. Y’all want a picture?” I asked directing my attention to the boys.
“Yes!” They exclaimed in unison.
“I appreciate it man,” their father pulled his phone from his pocket and took a few pictures of me and the boys. When he was done, he asked if he could take a picture, and I told him of course.
“You seem pretty good with kids.”
“I don’t have a lot of experience with them,” I admitted. My siblings don’t have kids. Isaac doesn’t have kids. I don’t get much practice in that’s for sure.”
“I got some practice fo’ yo’ ass,” she stated matter of factly making me laugh.
“Oh, you trying to set me up with the three for one special.”
“Speaking of the three for one special, I better get going. Thank you for the ice cream. It ain’t tricking if Big Daddy got it,” she winked, and I shook my head with a grin.
“Insane.”
I walked Brion to her car and when she was inside, I leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Yeah, I was getting in deep with a newly single mother of three, and I gave no fucks about it.
CHAPTER 16
BRION
I walked outside hesitantlybecause I didn’t know what Corey wanted, but I knew if he was at my parents’ house to cause a scene, he might end up with something hot in his ass. My father didn’t play those kinds of games. I had just walked in the house from taking the girls to school. Alisa had court all day, so I was going to work from home versus going into the office. I really only liked to be there if she was there but even still, I worked from home at least three days a week.
When I stepped outside, I came face to face with Corey, and he looked like shit. Red rimmed eyes, and he needed to shave. He looked weary, and I really wanted to know what he had to be so stressed about. Especially since he flaked on my kids and didn’t get them the past weekend.
“Can I help you?” I inquired angling my head to the left.
Corey didn’t respond at first. He was studying me. Even though I was working from home, I needed to run a few errands before I picked the girls up from school, so I dressed that morning in brown sweats, a brown fitted, long sleeved shirt, brown Gucci socks, sneakers, and my hair was pulled back in a ponytail while a Gucci cap rested on my head. I still had lash extensions, and I’d glossed my lips after brushing my teeth, butthere was no makeup. I wasn’t anywhere near dressed up. Just cute and put together, but Corey was ogling me like I had on lingerie or some shit.
“You really out here running around with a football player?” when his voice cracked, I almost lost it. If Corey stood in front of me and cried, he’d never forgive me for the fun I would make of him.
The reality show hadn’t started airing yet, but there were a few teasers that had posted on the social media page. He either knew because of that, or maybe someone recognized me out with Hymn the day before and went back and told Corey. I honestly didn’t care how or when he found out.
“You really over here asking me about the next man when you keep standing my fucking kids up?!” I barked.
“Here we go,” he groaned. “I have to work. What part of that don’t you understand?”
“Well get them on the days you don’t work. I don’t care how good business is for you, you’ve never worked seven days a week. Please don’t start now.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Because I don’t answer to you, nigga!”
“It’s all good,” Corey pinched the tip of his nose. “You can never tell my daughters that I didn’t try and make it work with you.”
