Page 33 of His Starr Player

“Hey, Ava. You played a hell of a game tonight. Don’t tell your father, but my parlay hit for a nice chunk of change.”

Ava giggled. “Always a pleasure to help those win big. I’m going to start charging you one of these days.”

“You know the money is good.” Vaughn stepped out of the way and let us through the doors to the suite.

This suite in particular was decked out with all the amenities and appliances. There was a private bathroom, bar with a bartender on duty, and two large flat-screen televisions. The suite had a max capacity of twenty people with four rows of reclining seats, lounge areas, and more. The suite was for people who made more than me, and I made millions.

“Man, this suite is insane,” I mumbled under my breath.

“Ain’t it?” Ava agreed.

“Thank you both for joining me. Would either of you like a drink?” Axel asked.

Standing just a few steps away from me was Axel Starr. We’d been in proximity all game, but now we were in the same room for a completely different purpose. Part of me wanted to fan outbecause, again, I was in the room with the greatest player of all time.

The other part of me knew to hold it together. I couldn’t put the man on a pedestal. Even though he was my favorite player, I didn’t idolize him. Like the saying went, meeting your favorite celebrities may not always be what it’s cracked up to be. We only see a glimpse into celebrity lives. Who they truly are and what they stood for could tarnish the image we created of them.

“I had some celebratory shots with the team. I’m good,” Ava answered first.

“I don’t mind a drink. What are you having?” I asked.

Axel motioned to the bartender. “I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy. What’s your drink of choice?”

“I’ll drink whatever you drink.”

Axel nodded. “Two old-fashioned, light on the rocks.”

The bartender made the drinks and slid them across the bar. Axel retrieved them and held one out for me to take. I thanked him for the hospitality.

“Both of you have a seat. I know it’s getting late, and I don’t want to keep you too long.” Axel claimed a seat on one of the lounge chairs. We sat across from him.

I sipped the drink.

“I want to start by saying I appreciate you going the lengths to find her necklace. The type of resourcefulness you exude was commendable. However, I do not want a relationship to get in the way of Ava’s career.”

“Well, no disrespect, sir, but I would never get in the way of Ava’s career. I love the sport of basketball just as much, if not more than she does. I watch my sister’s film to give her tips and pointers to grow on. Ava will be added to the list. It’s my job to support her and all she does. It’s my job to protect her, love her, and be whatever she needs me to be in whatever space she’s inat the moment. If anything, I plan to help her grow and become even better than what she is now.”

“Why?” Axel asked.

“Why, what?”

“Why do you want to see her grow? Do you plan on taking her money and fame and using it to your advantage?”

“I came with my own clout and money. I make more than enough to support Ava financially. Her money can go into an account I never know about. I have my fame that will thrive with or without Ava by my side. Even though it’s only been a short time, I know I want to spend forever with Ava.”

Axel nodded. “It seems you have a decent head on your shoulders with a solid plan. I’ll accept this for now. I’ll plan a dinner later this month where we can sit down and see how well you mesh with the Starr family.”

“I’m cool with that. Ava knows my schedule, but your assistant can contact my assistant to get put on my calendar.” I smirked.

Axel’s amused expression showed me he understood my joke. I leaned back and finished the drink in three large sips. The one drink wouldn’t do anything for me, but I enjoyed sitting with the legend. I would walk out of the suite with a new wave of respect for him. He didn’t disrespect me, and he listened to me thoroughly. He didn’t completely shut me down, as most dads would.

I never understood why men were so protective of their daughters while allowing their sons to be everything but a child of God. They thought it was cute and respectful to threaten people’s sons to protect their daughters. However, my parents didn’t play that shit with my sister and me. My mama would catch a case behind me if anybody ever thought it would be cool to threaten me.

The rest of the conversation went without a hitch. He gave Ava pointers on her next game, and I cosigned with my ideas for the game as well. She looked between us with amusement because she would do what she was most comfortable doing regarding her game play.

It had taken almost three weeks for us to find an opening in everyone’s schedule to sit down for dinner. It was Saturday night with no games, competitions, or interviews. We got to sit around the luxury dining table to eat a meal catered by Axel Starr’s private chef. There was a spread of Chinese food: Sesame chicken, General Tso chicken, broccoli, lo mein, shrimp fried rice, chicken fried rice, and egg rolls. We were served, said grace, and dug in.

“Marcus, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Mrs. Starr spoke first.

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