Page 121 of In the Safety's Zone
“Y’all need to be young as hell. I thought Money was gone be a good influence on you but you over here just as up in the house as his ass.” Choo had the nerve to look angry at my being mature but I know he was worried. I’d spent the last few years hustling. He wanted me to enjoy myself, but being with Phro was my enjoyment.
“You worried I’m going to have regrets?”
Antwan had on a custom short set that was made of fabric he had custom made for him. It had his, Rye and Nia’s initials on it interlocking around a P. Shit was fire and he was the only person who could pull it off.
“Yeah. I know I ain’t missing anything. I been there and done all the athlete stuff when I first got in the league so I don’t miss it when I’m in the house.”
“Right. You did that cause you were running away from demons that wanted to chase you and keep you in that toxic shit. And your behavior was letting them win. I’m thankful that I had a brother and an uncle who were gracious enough to force me to heal before I got this opportunity. Besides, there ain’t shit out there for me but women who would try to make me a trick or have me spending money I got better uses for. That’s like me leaving my girl at the house just to see and be seen. None of that appeals to me.”
Choo’s brows rose and he was nodding like he was impressed. “You trying to sound healed and shit and I don’t know how to feel about that?”
“Feel like you did your job so well that I learned from the mistakes you made instead of repeating them.”
Choo grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. “Real talk, that’s probably the best gift in the world you could give me.Y’all still need to be young a lil bit but I understand why you’re focused.”
“We’ll do something on the bye. We already talked about it.” We were going to take a few days and run down to somebody’s beach. I was letting Aphrodite handle the logistics because she wanted to do something nice to celebrate before moving.
“You need—”
I patted his chest to stop him ‘cause he was trying to do too much. “I got it, bruh. I appreciate the offer but we're good. You seem to forget your wife keeps me on a budget and I’m not about to have her ass mad at me. We discussed it, put the budget out and I’m good. Save your money big bro, you don’t have to carry me anymore.”
Antwan looked conflicted at my words. Like his heart and mind were battling with the reality of what I said. He was proud but also worried I was doing too much. In the end, he trusted me, which I appreciated.
“It was never a problem.”
“I know that. But I’m grateful that you no longer need to.”
His hands went to his chest covering his heart being extra as always. “You tossing me away like that?”
“Nah, Twan, you’re always my big brother. I’ll always need you for that. But as a man, I can stand on my own two. Besides, you can always hook me up with your jeweler’s info when the time comes.”
“It’s like that?” For him to have just been talking about me being young and turnt, he looked too excited for me to be talking about rings.
I rubbed my chin knowing I wanted to scream yes but also realizing I might scare the fuck out of Phro if I popped up with a ring. “Not yet, but definitely not long.”
“Smart man.”
“Are you good, baby?” Aphrodite was looking me over like she thought I was going to run after the other team’s bus and tell Carter he owed me one. She walked over with Rye and Nia close behind her.
“Damn, everybody thought I was gonna fight?” I pulled her close to me as Antwan took Nia from Rye.
“Yeah, that fool had you by the face mask and was hitting you. I was ready to fight.”
Aphrodite looked like she was still pissed and with the way Rye was nodding in agreement I knew she’d been up in the suite talking all kinds of shit. I couldn’t wait to see the replay of the broadcast ‘cause I could only imagine what shots they got of the suite when everything was happening on the field.
“You been around Rye way too fucking long, AP. All this aggression can be dealt with for real.” I kissed the side of her face as Rye flipped me off before taking Antwan’s hand.
“Dealt with? Is that a threat?” Aphrodite didn’t hesitate to run her fingers down the front of my blazer like she was trying to get something started.
I smacked her ass in the black leather she wore and instead of laughing her eyes started flirting with me again. “Nah, it’s a promise.”
“There is a little one over here while y’all are being nasty.” Antwan had his hand covering Nia’s eyes when she wasn’t even paying us attention.
This nigga was hilarious ‘cause he acted like he forgot who he was. “I know you not talking. Them Korean dignitaries probably got your bare ass on film from when they caught you in the pool.”
“That’s when I was young. Do like us and go in the other room. We have decorum.” Antwan spoke like that shit really made a difference that they were sneaking off to fuck with my niece and Gram’s wondering through the house.
Antwan took Rye’s hand as we all headed toward the parking garage. “Whatever. Silas and Grams are waiting on us. You know she would lose her shit if we mess up her dinner.”
