Page 17 of Kove and Xiah
“I feel you but I’m still going to focus on putting in work. For now, let me handle getting what I need, and if I need help, I’ll let you know.”
“Fine. Check your email. I sent a list of obligations for the next two weeks. They’re organized by commitment level. Some are optional, others are mandatory, which means nonnegotiable. They’re a combination of brand deals and press runs that Vanessa and I have worked out. The schedules are pretty tight so tardiness will not be tolerated. The majority of the media coverage for Royals players has been prioritized by draft picks so we’ve had to call in favors to get you in front of these specific outlets…”
“I don’t need that shit. All I need to do is put points on the board.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not how things work. This is an entirely different level of play. The money comes from marketability, both with the fans and with your team. The owners want to know you can fill seats…”
“That’s not my lane. They have Jabari for that.”
“Agreed but there are five men on that court, Yaakov. He can’t be the only one selling tickets. It’s important to get the city behind you and that’s exactly what we intend to do. Review the schedules I sent you, memorize where you need to be and when. Vanessa will reach out with your stylist for the events so you have the look required to make the right statement. We’re going to do our part, make sure you show up and do yours.”
“Yeah aight, I’ll check it out.”
“Great. Oh and we’ve not discussed your relationship status…”
My jaw tensed. “Why the fuck would we?”
“Every detail of your life plays a role in how I brand you and how Vanessa handles your press. Also, there are several commitments you’re obligated to that will require a plus one. If you’re currently dating someone, then she will need to be vetted. And if you’re not, I will get with Vanessa to prepare a list of acceptable options who can attend.”
“The fuck does acceptable options mean?”
I didn’t know a lot about how this shit worked but they damn sure weren’t about to have me out here looking crazy with women I didn’t want to talk to or bless with a nut, just for the sake of them getting a photo opp.
“Women who will not create an unfavorable press disaster that creates work for Vanessa or complicates the money I can put in your bank account with brand opportunities. The gameisn’t just on the court, Yaakov. It filters over into your life as well.”
“I’m not doing no fake ass relationship. So if that’s what you mean, dead that. If I need a plus one, my brother can be that.”
“Your gang banging brother who has two felony convictions, tattoos on almost every visible part of his body, not to mention some on his face? Absolutely not.”
“Yo, that shit sounded hella judgmental, so I hope like fuck you’re just stating facts and not your personal feelings on any of those things because everything you said about Yoel is pretty much the same for me. I’m gang, I got tattoos. Balling doesn’t change where I came from and if that’s what you’re expecting…”
“No, I’m not. I know exactly who you are, what made you the person I signed as a client. I would never judge the things I’ve lived and understand. What I will do is make sure those things don’t get in the way of what you could be. You’re a phenomenal player, Kove. Don’t let your ego get in the way of what you deserve. Trust me and I’ll make you a very rich man who doesn’t have to answer to anyone but himself. You’re not there yet. Right now, we play the game. You handle the things on the court, I’ll handle business off the court. Can you give me that?”
I ground my jaw, feeling annoyed, but I agreed. “Yeah I’ll give you that but I’m not doing no fake shit, regardless of the opportunity attached to it. I have to be me or I can’t do this.”
“Understood.”
“Aight. I’ll let you do your thing but please understand, if I’m not feeling that shit, it isn’t happening.
I ended the call with Sovoya and went straight to my email. Sure enough there was one with a detailed list of press commitments and brand meetings. Some of these were ten to fifteen minutes apart. Interviews, photo shoots, and podcasts. There were also events that ranged from recreational appearances to formal attire and a long ass list of linksunder something titled suggested partnerships and donation affiliations.
The fuck…
I swiped right on out of that shit, tossed my phone on the bed, and headed to my luggage to find something to put on so I could meet Xiah. I threw on a pair of jeans and a graphic tee, keeping it simple but fly. After that damn call with Sovoya I considered burning one in the car but wasn’t sure what the vibe was with Xiah or where we were having lunch. Something about her gave me uptight vibes, which had me grinning because I was for sure going to break her out of that shit if she truly wasn’t chill.
After I dressed, I grabbed my keys, phone, and wallet, tossed my bags into the bottom of the closet, and left my suite, blocking out the way my life was about to no longer be my own and focused on the woman I had no business pulling up on in the first place.
The address Xiahsent me brought me to a street not too far from the arena which was lined with food trucks. The only way to access it was on foot so I parked in the lot across the street near the little ass toy she risked her life in. It was the same color, make, and model; so if that wasn’t her baby ass car then there was another person out here who didn’t give a fuck about their life or safety.
As soon as I crossed the street from the lot, I did a quick scan and located Xiah sitting at a table in one of the grassy areas near the end of the food truck alley. She was focused on her phone and I took the opportunity to focus on her. Xiah’s caramel skinwas on display thanks to the black dress she wore. It had thin ass straps exposing her arms, shoulders, and neck, but was long enough to cover the remainder of her body.
Braids flowed down her back and hid her face on one side while the other had a few tucked behind her ear, offering me access to that beautiful smile directed at the device in her hand.
The way she was smiling had me a little pressed because who the hell was she grinning at? I immediately considered that pretty smile, which created crescent moon dimples, could have been on display for her nigga and that gave me pause. Because if it was, why the hell did I care?
“Food trucks?” I stopped in front of her and she looked up and squinted because the sun hit her eyes and them shits had me entranced.
“What’s wrong with food trucks?”
