Page 54 of In the Safety's Zone
“You’ve heard the stories about my family, that’s not enough?”
He shook his head and I could see how his mind shifted, and the heat diminished between us. “You think your people crazy but they ain’t got nothing on my mama.”
“I need to hear this story.”
“You sho? Ain’t a word of it pretty.” He was smiling but I could tell that it was sad, almost self-deprecating and I wasn’t sure why.
“We’ve got us. I showed you my wounds, so show me your scars.”
I wrapped my arm around his waist as best I could from the side and laid my head on his chest. Anthony’s heart was racing like he was afraid of how I would take what he had to say. He shifted on the ground and even I wanted to get up off the floor but I was afraid he was going to change the subject or use his fingers, tongue or dick to distract me. This was the type of information that would be key for me understanding him and I didn’t want to ignore it.
“Why are yours wounds but mine are scars?”
“I can tell that you’ve healed. My father still gets to me. Finds a new way to make me bleed, I’m just used to living with it. But your mother doesn’t play an active role in your life, right?”
He shook his head slowly, like his answer made him sad. “Nah, she don’t.”
“That’s the difference.”
“Well, we’ll find a way to turn yours into scars one day, AP.” Anthony picked up my hand and kissed the back of it.
“You’re doing a damn good job of starting that right now. But back to the subject of toxic parents.”
His sigh was heavy, and his eyes immediately got a distant look. When he shifted again displaying a discomfort that I hadn’t seen since I first approached him months ago I almost told him not to worry about what he was going to confess. But he opened his mouth to speak before I could tell him it was okay to change the subject.
“So you know about Hurricane Katrina and the levees, right?” I nodded still wanting him to take his time. “I grew up in the Magnolia Projects just like Juvie the rapper. Shit, I just realized you were born 9/9 of 2000.” He seemed more interested in that realization that his confession and I wanted him to focus.
“Sir, what does that have to do with anything?”
He looked at me like he was waiting on me to say I was joking but I wasn’t. When I didn’t he sat up and stood us both up.
“Oh, hell no. I can’t claim you if you don’t know this song. We gone get to Jill’s bullshit but for right now you gottaBack Dat Ass Up, one time.”
CHAPTER SIX
Cross the Pond
APHRODITE
“WELL, LOOK WHO it is!”
I glanced up from the menu and looked up to see the past coming to step into my present in a way I didn’t want.
I’d spent my time training at one of the national centers to get ready for this game not bothering to head back home to Jersey. The house manager, that my mother absolutely didn’t need, had gotten all the clothing I’d requested to me so I could prep for the weather here. The entire flight over I’d spent sleeping and the first few rounds of the tournament had flown by. Everything that happened since Miami seemed to happen in warp speed. I lived it but none of it felt like I’d experienced it because my mind was stuck in the past with him.
One magical weekend of romance and exemplary dick had me going through the motions of my life. Heading back home to be berated would’ve only ruined my mood so instead I trained harder to prevent my game from faltering. Along the way, Anthony was encouraging with his words and affirming in his actions. He’d have food waiting on me and groceries sent to the short-term rental I’d reserved. He caught a quick flight up just to meet me for dinner so he wouldn’t be a distraction. We ended the night with him using every part of his body to provide me with the best massage and then my favorite part of him to further relax me.
This was more than infatuation.
Which is why this mop-headed asshole walking toward us with an expectant smile on his face had me in such a shittymood. The lack of surprise on my parents’ faces let me know this was a setup.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harper, so nice to see you here.” Christopher Valentine stopped at our table with a grin and it was crazy that my parents thought I was going to sit here through this bullshit.
“Dite, aren’t you going to say hello to Chris?”
I nodded my head toward him as he shook my father’s hand and hugged my mother.
“Chris.”
