“My hands were sweaty.”
I shoved him. “No, you can’t make excuses.”
“I got a finger cramp. I’m out of practice.”
“You need to add finger conditioning to your workout routine. My fingers stay ready.”
“I’m sure they do.” Aldridge simulated finger banging.
This time I swatted his arm aggressively. “I have other tools for that.”
“Love a woman who stays suited and booted.”
Hinting at sex acts with my ex was not something I’d have predicted. But flirting was kind of fun, and I was so good at it. If they were giving out medals for best flirt, I’d at least win a silver. Flirting was entertaining because there were no real expectations for anything more. You could test the water without getting wet. Not that I was testing things out with Aldridge. We were friends, old pals, comrades, homies. He was the lil homie, lil big homie. Extremely fine homie. The homie that walked with a slight limp because his dick was so big.
Aldridge swiped his card to activate our game. I started out rough but quickly caught my stride and sunk three balls worth fifty each. He talked smack the entire time. How he could hit fifties and hundreds consistently was maddening. Like I said, shit just came easy to him. When the game ended, it was clear I’d been dusted and I begrudgingly accepted defeat.
“You had an unfair advantage because your arms are so long.”
“I can’t help it I don’t have T-Rex arms like you.”
“My arms are perfectly proportioned like everything about me.”
“You are perfect in every way except when it comes to arcade games.”
“Excuse me, are you Aldridge Mosley?” A young man asked standing among a group of friends.
“Yeah.”
“See I told you.” He spat out to a friend before turning back to Aldridge. “I knew it was you. We’re so hype to have you in Vegas bro.”
“Thanks, I’m happy to be here.”
“Can we get a picture?” a girl with braces asked.
“Of course.” Aldridge seemed in his element as if being approached by strangers was perfectly normal. But I guess for him it was. I often forgot how much of a big deal he was, not just in Vegas but in the NBA.
“I got it.” I grabbed the girl’s phone and took several photos.
“I can’t wait to tell everyone we met you,” another guy with red hair said.
“I appreciate the love.”
“You have no idea. I know you’re gonna bring us a championship.”
Aldridge flashed his signature smile. “I’m hoping.”
“You got this bro. Thanks again.”
“Have a good night.” He waved to the group who were all smiles and excited chatter as they walked away.
“Wow, talk about pressure,” I said.
“I’m used to it. The organization talks about me in interviews like I’m the second coming of Christ. Expectations are high.”
“But at the end of the day you’re just one man.”
“When we were together, you seemed to think I was up there with the greats McCabe Senior, Jordan, LeBron.”
