Page 116 of Play of Love
She noticed and seemed uncomfortable with the way he stared. Seeing the awkward look on her face, I placed my arm around her anyway as we walked towards the opposite corner. I was amazed when she didn't protest or make any comment.
When we sat in the last booth opposite each other,I glanced across at the man and saw that he was still staring. He looked like a fool ready to start trouble.
Clearly, he didn’t recognize me. Most people around San Francisco and LA tended to recognize me straightaway, if not from football then at least from an ad or promo. I’d already done roughly ten photo shoots, one of which was for a Calvin Klein ad I actually saw on a billboard on the way here. I was happy Abi hadn’t seen it. It probably would have added to her sour mood of my presence.
People saw me do stuff like that, but it wasn’t what I was famous for. They knew me to be crazy on the field with a temper on me that couldn’t be tamed. When it came to using it, I didn’t hold back.
When I got the ball in a game that was it, leaving me to do whatever I was going to do with the ball was wise.
I didn’t go around beating people up but when someone rubbed me the wrong way, like this guy here, I had no limit.
Abi’s cheeks colored fiercely as the man continued to stare, and that look of discomfort filled her face again.
I didn’t know what came over me, or what pissed me off more, the fact that this idiot had overlooked me and dismissed me as non-threatening or the way he was looking at Abi.
“Hey, can I help you with something?” I balked at the man, startling him. I twisted around so the other two who were with the guy could see my face. At least they looked cautious, wary of me, but the guy just looked like this was some kind of joke.
“Wise guy! I’m talking to you,” I added.
“Nothing, man. Just chill,” the guy replied with a smile that even I had to describe as creepy.
“Okay, well if you eye-fuck my woman one more time, it’ll be the last you use your eyes.” I couldn’t help it. Maybe that was a little over the top but the guy deserved it.
He might not have looked scared, but he at least seemed to get the message. He turned to face his colleagues who had gone silent.
Feeling satisfied with the effect, I turned back to face Abi and immediately took in the look of wordless surprise on her face.
“What?” I asked, not sure if it was a good surprised look or if I’d just made her mad.
“You. What if he came over here and started something?” As she spoke, I realized she wasn’t mad at me. If anything, she was grateful and was trying not to show it.
“Really, Abi, you’ve seen me on the field, and you know I’m not a man to be trifled with.”
“And since when am I your woman?” she laughed. It was the first time I’d heard that laugh in years. A soft and gentle full-hearted sound that rippled through the air. It was the kind of laugh that could make anyone feel instant happiness.
“You’rewelcome, Babydoll.” I smiled at her, and she shook her head.
“Thank you.” She smiled, revealing her perfect white teeth. It was a genuine smile too. The one I remembered from the girl who used to love me. As the waitress came over to take our orders, I couldn’t help but focus on that smile.
It seemed like this was definitely going to be one interesting day.
