Page 24 of In the Safety's Zone
“What mission?”
“The heat. People are going to have lots of questions about us when they see this spread. Nobody is going to think this is the first time we’ve met each other.”
“They can go to hell and search for ice water with the devil for all I care about their opinions. But if it’s a problem to be associated with me—”
“I’m taking you to my secret spot in the city. You think I’d have a problem with that? I chose you remember?”
Something about that shit had my chest warm again. Like her words were an edification I was unaware anyone outside of my family could provide.
I dipped my head trying to hide my smile but her short ass looked up and caught me. “That you did.”
“I didn’t even ask if you preferred a specific food or had food allergies or anything like that. Are you back in training yet?”
“Nah, I’m one of those dudes that’s always had a crazy high metabolism and like my brother I try not to get out of shape so I don’t have to bust my ass to get back in it. Even when I wasn’t playing I still worked out like I was so I could be ready to goanytime. But you look all worried now. Damn you not about to take me someplace that needs a hazmat suit are you? ”
“No, crazy man! I was going to order for us and I need to make sure I didn’t get anything that was going to give you hives or send you to the ER.” She bumped my shoulder familiarly again and damn I liked that shit. The physical ease between the two of us that seemed to happen unconsciously.
“‘Preciate the concern.”
I’d tried to tell myself our closeness was because of the number of people around and being tethered to someone would keep her from getting lost, but it felt like more than that. Or my brain was making a feeble attempt at it being more and I was going along with it. She talked about the part of the city that we were in and how I would get back to my hotel from here since she would have to get a car out to her house. Not that she cared but the last thing I would do is put her in a car by herself back out to New Jersey. Her father might be a piece of shit but I’d ride with her wherever she needed to go and then head back into the city solo before I left her alone.
I got so lost in talking with her that I was almost surprised when she finally stopped in front of a store. The purpose of all this walking was to get food but I be damned if I hadn’t forgotten about being hungry. She led me into the store and the folks behind the counter almost lit up seeing her there. The big awning over the front said Jake’s but I knew this place had probably been here so long there was no telling if Jake’s ass was even alive. The store wasn’t big like a supermarket but they seemed to have everything packed into one spot. A bunch of guys were behind the counter with hairnets and aprons on. There was a flattop like they were the northern version of the Waffle House. There was a small line and when they tried to wave her forward so she could get served first, Aphrodite shook her head and led us to the back of the line.
“I’m not crazy enough to jump somebody trying to get food at Jake’s. Besides, I don’t want special treatment. They’re already going to try not to let me pay.”
She was speaking low so that the people in front of us couldn’t hear her. I was glad that she was getting special treatment somewhere. Seemed like nobody had been putting respect on her name including her fucking people.
When we got closer to the front, I could see they had a picture of her with a bag of food over the register and it was like everyone knew not to make too big a deal about her being here.
I let her walk ahead of me and she ordered some shit that I wasn’t familiar with but rocked with it off the strength of her. If it sucked I could grab room service from the hotel or just eat the rest of the snacks I was gonna grab to go with this food.
“That’s Vince and next to him in Leo who runs this place now. Guys, this is Anthony, it’s his first time in this part of New York so you know I had to bring him here.”
Vince was one of them racially ambiguous dudes with a haircut like a nigga. 360 waves met a tapered fade and he had a diamond in one ear. His ass could’ve been anything from light-skinned Black to Dominican to Middle Eastern.
“What’s good? We gone get you right whenever you come by. Especially since you’re with good people.” Vince smiled and nodded at Aphrodite and she just grinned. I needed him to watch that friendly shit though ‘cause I wasn’t playing when I told her I got jealous quick as fuck.
“‘Preciate it. She been singing y’all’s praises so I’m sure it’s good.”
Leo nodded as we stepped to the side so Vince could take somebody else’s order. Before I could say shit else Vince was trying to cake it up with Aphrodite again. “How’s it look for the French?”
“Pretty good. You gonna be watching?”
“Only reason I started watching that sport was for you. You know football is my first love.”
“I think that’s America’s first love but I’ll take my wins where I can.”
She shrugged so easily I knew she didn’t realize this nigga was flirting with her. I peeped that shit and was staring a hole in this nigga’s head while he avoided my eyes.
“You better learn the game yourself you walk in here with a safety.” My ears went on alert and my brows furrowed at Leo who was an older Black man nodded at me. “You thought you wouldn’t be recognized in the city, huh?”
I shrugged because it had been a minute since I’d had to dodge people knowing my face. Shit felt weird honestly. “Not really recognizable.”
“That’s a lie. The two of you have the humility thing down. I’m a huge college fan. They did you dirty but I’m glad to see you clawing your way back. This is gonna be a good year for you.”
I nodded thankfully and could admit it felt good for a stranger to say that. “‘Preciate that.”
“Just don’t mess with the home team too bad when y’all come up to play them this season.”
