“Arriving at restaurants right before closing.” She smirks.
“I’d like to think our thing is what we’re going to do after strategizing tonight,” he counters with a sexy but salacious ass look. His eyes narrow on her with a slight curve of his lips.
Why is he so damn sexy?
“Well, that too,” she admits, blushing slightly. It’s been practically forever since she felt this comfortable, at ease, and dare she say giddy, around a man. The conundrum that she’s fully accepting is that this one is a killer though. A protectiveand caring killer who’s going to kill for her. “Definitely that,” she gushes as she latches her arm around his, basking in his comforting aura.
The Brick Wall Sports Bar & Grille is located in the heart of the small town. It’s a full-service restaurant and bar with six large flat screen TVs. The menu has an array of homemade burgers, salads, and local seafood. There’s live music nightly and tonight the performer is great on the guitar. It’s a nice vibe with great service. Within five minutes of sitting, their drink orders were taken and cups of ice-cold water were placed in front of them.
“Your strawberry-mango sangria,” their server says as she slides Sunjiya’s drink to her. “And your whiskey neat, sir. Are you ready to order yet?”
“Yes,” Sunjiya says while Akeem nods.
“Okay, good. We have two specials today. For the seafood lovers, it’s our shrimp and grits, my favorite. It’s gouda cheese grits topped with andouille sausage and a crawfish Julie sauce. And for the barbecue lovers, it’s our Pig Newton. A delicious pulled pork sandwich topped with bourbon barbecue sauce, slaw, and fried pickles. It comes with one side,” she says.
“I’ll take the pulled pork with fries,” Akeem says and she nods.
“And you?” she asks Sunjiya.
“The shrimp and grits sound so good but I’m going to get the New Orleans style barbecue shrimp and a petite house salad with blue cheese dressing. Can you put the dressing on the side please?”
“Of course. I’ll have that right out,” the server assures with a smile before walking off.
After taking a sip from his drink, Akeem pulls his cell from his pocket. He shot his brother a text, letting him know they made it. Then he hit Quise with a sarcastic text because he didn’trespond or thank him for the two hundred dollars he’d sent at the rest area.
Akeem: Thanks, Pops.
Almost immediately, Akeem’s cells ring. Quise knows he fucked up so he’s calling instead of texting.
“It’s my son,” he utters to Sunjiya before sliding out of the booth. “Yeah,” Akeem answers nonchalantly as he treks toward the door.
“Pops, don’t do me like that. My bad. I meant to call you after practice to say thank you but got caught up. But for real, Pops, thanks,” Quise rushes out.
“Caught up? With what?” Akeem questions.
“Just caught up,” he responds, too vague.
“With who, Quise?” Akeem asks sternly.
Any time Quise is vague, he’s trying to avoid revealing something. He’s a good kid, so it’s never anything too major, but Akeem knows he’s avoiding discussing something.
“Pops, man. You always think you know what’s up,” Quise scoffs.
“I know my son. How you got caught up?”
Quise releases a heavy ass sigh then gives up the information, sparingly. “I was talking to someone,” he admits in a low tone and Akeem smirks.
“A girl?” Akeem questions, although he knows the answer.
“Yeah, man. But before you clown me, she’s just a friend. It ain’t even like that,” he huffs.
“What’s her name?”
“I told you it ain’t all that. Why you need her name?” Quise counters.
“’Cause I want to know who you really spending all my money on,” Akeem teases. Quise sighs but Akeem continues togoad him. “Girlfriends are expensive. You sure you ready for that?”
“She’s just my friend,” Quise insists, but Akeem knows what’s up.
