Page 74 of Played
“Of course I know who you are,” Noni raves, grinning hugely. “It’s amazing to finally meet you.”
She shakes the hand Solomon extends toward her. A strange expression crosses Minnie’s face as Solomon turns to her, offering his hand. I frown, but maybe I imagined it, because she politely smiles and accepts his greeting.
“Good to meet both of you.” He jerks his chin up at Noni. “You’re the one li’l mama’s always texting. And she told me you came to our game with her.”
“That’s me, and a belated thank-you for the ticket. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.” She hikes up an eyebrow. “And I regret nothing about the texting. How else am I supposed to get time with my best friend when she always holed up under you?”
I groan, and the corner of Solomon’s lips quirks.
“Excuse her. Whatever is in her head comes straight out of her mouth. No checkpoint,” I say to him.
“Nah, I like that. But now I’m wondering why you complain about my mouth when you have her?”
Noni laughs, and I grin. He’s not wrong.
I glance at Minnie, who’s been quiet, and she’s staring off toward one of the glass walls separating our section from the rest of the club.
Determined not to worry about her and her moods—hell, she’s lucky I extended the invitation—I wave toward the bottles littering the table.
“Do you guys want a drink? They have some of everything up in here.”
“Uh, is Nick Cannon out there making baby number fifty-two as we speak?” She scoffs and bends down, nabbing a bottle of D’Ussé and a glass. “You want some, Minnie?”
“I’m good.”
“Okay, sis.” A frown briefly wrinkles Noni’s forehead, but she shrugs and busies herself with pouring the cognac.
“What’s up with your girl’s sister?” Solomon murmurs in my ear.
I tilt my head back, and he bends from his towering height so I can say in his ear, “Who knows? I was being nice, inviting her because I didn’t think Noni would want to come here alone. Ignore her. I do.”
He huffs out a laugh, straightening. Just as he slides an arm around my waist, the birthday boy, Ciaran, ambles up to us. From the flush on his high cheekbones and the glaze in his eyes, he is having a really good time.
“Solomon, damn. I’m surprised you’re still here.” He cackles and slaps Solomon on the shoulder. I wince. If not for both of them being behemoths, I’m sure one if not both of them would’ve fallen over from that pound. “Who do we have here?”
He stares at Noni and Minnie, his mouth nearly split from ear to ear. Not that I can blame him. Noni looks sexy as hell in her whitesleeveless bodysuit and tight black leather pants. And from her wide smile and subtle hip pop, she doesn’t seem to mind his ogling.
“This is Adina’s friends, Noni and Minnie.” Solomon nods toward them. “Noni and Minnie, this is my teammate, Ciaran Mahone.”
“We know who he is,” Minnie pipes up for the first time, other than her hello to Solomon. “We’re huge fans of the Pirates.”
“Aw, see? That’s what the hell I’m talking ’bout. Well, welcome, ladies. Any friends of Adina’s are friends of mine.” He says the cheesy line as if we’ve known each other longer than the almost two hours I’ve been here. “C’mon, Noni and Minnie.” He moves forward and steps between them, offering his bent elbows to each of them. Glancing from one to the other, he asks, “Are you two related?”
“Twins,” Noni says.
“Twins?” Ciaran’s blue eyes gleam. “Shit. I’ve always wanted to be between—I mean, meet twins.”
I roll my eyes. He couldn’t be more cliché-ish if he tried.
“Seriously?” Solomon balls up his face. “I hope that shit’s because you’re drinking.”
“Ignore him, ladies.” Ciaran sniffs, and I chuckle. He’s a little obnoxious, but he’s charming in a douchey kind of way. “Let me introduce you to some of my teammates, since you’re fans. Hang around that one”—he jerks his chin in Solomon’s direction—“and your heart might shrink three sizes too small.”
I crack up at the reference to the Grinch. So does Noni, and even Minnie gives a small smile.
“He’s hilarious,” I say.
“Yeah? I hope he remembers that slick shit tomorrow when I accidentally send him into the boards at practice.”
