Page 27 of Keeping Busy
Friday night after the youth camp banquet, Maddox and I hopped into the back of his Range Rover. After spending three days with him in one week, all I could say was that each time had been more fun than the time before it. And the banquet was a blast.
Maddox and his team had outdone themselves. They’d rented out a local venue, and transformed the place, having it decorated to resemble the ESPY awards complete with a few of his NFL friends acting as presenters and announcing the “winners” in each category. There were film clips of highlight moments, “golden” statuettes, a press room, a red carpet and it was catered with the most delicious food I ever tasted. I looked at him with a new appreciation for the man he was, and how he got down.
“That banquet was so nice, Busy.” I told him, as we made our way downtown towards a late dinner with the professional athletes who had come to the banquet. “It’s obvious how invested you are in your athletes and your program.”
He placed his hand on my thigh, giving it a firm squeeze, and demanding my attention, his eyes met mine. “Thanks for coming with me, Mecca. Thanks for making me look good.”
His eyes held a double entendre. Sydnie Whitmore had made sure to get the local press out in force to cover the banquet as a “hometown hero/feel good” story. The coverage was good for the boys who attended the camp, but it was also good for the players, and especially for Maddox. Playing the role of his doting girlfriend made him look good. The strapless, yellow Carolina Herrera mini dress and five inch Tori Burch sandals that I was wearing made him look good. I got it.
“You’re welcome.”
A comfortable silence settled over the truck, Maddox thinking his own thoughts, and me wondering if he had always been this person - this selfless, sweetheart of a guy - even when I disliked him and thought he was an arrogant asshole.
We seemed to be the last ones to arrive at the restaurant. Heavy pulled up just in time for us to see Maddox’s younger brother, NFL wide receiver, Xavier Mayhew and three other guys disappear into the door of the eatery. Heavy jumped out of the truck, and quickly opened Maddox’s door, allowing him to slide out.
I waited as Maddox walked around the truck, swung open my door and extended his hand to me. “You ready?”
“Yep.”
Xavier was the first person to greet me when we walked into the private room for dinner. He pulled me into a breath-snatching embrace. I returned the love, even though a small part of me had beef with him for the way he played my little cousin, Reign Champion, back when they were dating. Still, he was like another little cousin to me, having watched him grow up from the time he was 3 years old, until he went off to college.
“I’m kinda tempted to cuff ya ass right now, just to make your boy go off.” He whispered into my ear.
“Don’t do it.” I cautioned him with a chuckle. “You’ll traumatize me. I can’t imagine getting felt up by little Xavier Mayhew.”
“I’m not so little anymore. Ask about me.”
He released me from his grasp, and I took a quick second to give him the “up-down.” He wasn’t lying. Little Xavier Mayhew was all grown up. “I don’t need to ask about you, you’re standing right here in front of me.”
“And I’m grown.” He stated, like he still wanted me to give him my stamp of approval.
“You’re grown, and very handsome.”
Grabbing my hand, Xavier walked us over to the table and held my seat while I sat down.
“Back off, Little Dude.” Maddox ribbed him good-naturedly.
Xavier took the elder Mayhew’s razzing in stride. “You mad because I’m pulling out her chair? You better level up, before I leave this restaurant with her.”
Maddox was dismissive in the way that only older siblings could be. “Whatever, man.” He sat down next to me and made the introductions, pointing to each man as he named him. “Yo Mecca, this is Kolby Foz; Justus Alexander, Robeson Miller, that’s Lance Gardner and you know X’s ass. Ay, this is my girl, Mecca Goode.”
“I don’t remember you being how we’re doing it in the Chi?” Robeson Miller flirted. “Hell, I might need to come home more often.”
I simply smiled.
“Don’t get your ass ripped at this table.” Maddox warned.
Robeson clearly wasn’t one to stand down easily. He completely ignored Maddox’s threat. “So, gorgeous, how’d you meet this burly, swoll motherfucker?”
“We grew up across the street from each other.” Maddox supplied.
Robeson gave him the screw face. “Who asked you, Dox? I’m talking to her. I hear your scratchy, Barry White ass voice all of the time. I’m trying to hear something feminine. Let her talk.”
“Next time bring your own girl.”
“Next time, she might be mine.”
That was when I spoke up, with a shake of my head. “No, I won’t be yours. I’m too busy being his.”
