“What did I tell you, Mani?” I asked with a warning glare.
“If I start to get too emotionally charged… log off.” She pouted and tucked her phone back into her bag. I had to take my own advice more times than I’d like to admit because ever since the news of Chase and I hit the internet, people who were sleeping on air mattresses on top of boxsprings felt like they had a right to an opinion on how I lived my life. Every morning, it took everything in me not to hop on social media, type, “BITCH! MY man got me a jet, YOURS got you put on antibiotics, we are NOT the same!” and log off. I had to take my own advice of shutting the fuck up, so a lot of days I stayed off social media altogether.
I still wasn’t gettin’ no damn flip phone.
“How far do you think we’ll make it this year?” Joce asked as we looked on. We looked solid.
“Shit, we better win it all. Chase said he’s retiring as soon as he gets a ring at home, and I can’t wait.”
“Damn, girl. He ready to hang up his cleats already?”
“Already?” I laughed. “That man is fifty-three years old.” As if he heard me, his eyes shot directly in my direction, and I blew a kiss to the sidelines where he stood.
“Y'all are cute or whatever,” Mani teased.
“So, what's up with you? Do we need to hook you up with somebody on the team? Orlando is a cutie. I can put in a good word for you.”
“I'm good,” she sighed. “When I start dating again, I want somebody low-key, as far away from all this shit as possible.” I really looked at her, she was beautiful as ever, but she lookedsotired and sad.
“You good, boo?” I asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I'm fine,” she huffed. “This is just exhausting sometimes.”
“Well, you know we're here whenever you need us,” Joce promised. She gave us a warm smile as we returned to the game.
“So what's next for you?” Joce asked. “I know you’re not gonna sit still for too long.” Joce had made it abundantly clear that she had no problem being a full time WAG for the time being. I respected it, but I needed something to keep me busy.
“I think I might do more consultant work. I’m feeling the work I'm doing now with Mani. I like helping people, and not just chasing the bag.” I had met a few Black celebrities who were less than pleased with how their careers were being handled, and a few of them saw what I was doing with Mani and wanted something similar.
“So, are you offering me a discount onmyservices?” Mani teased.
“Bitch, is your name Coupon Mani? No! So, pay up, Money Mani!” I threw back.
“You get on my nerves,” she chuckled before finishing off the rest of her smuggled drink. By that point things were wrapping up, and I was literally vibrating with excitement at the thought of being with my man again. I was also nervous as hell when I realized that this would be our first official public appearance as a couple. Neither of us responded to the blog posts, but I mean, what could we say when pictures hit the internet of us damn near hunching with our clothes on in that restaurant?
As we waited for the team to come back from the locker room, all the other wives, girlfriends, and relatives crowded the entrance after not seeing their men for two to three weeks. I stayed to the back, trying to play it cool because I really didn’t even like him like that. Mani had gone to get ready for a club appearance and Jocelyn was at the front of the line to get to Johnathan.
I felt like Chase must have put some type of tracking device on me because as usual, the moment he came out the tunnel, his eyes met mine. I tried my best to keep a straight face as he strode over, but the moment he was within arms’ reach, a smirk broke out over my face.
“Hey,” I said, looking him over and wondering if I wouldeverget used to the way my heart sped up whenever he was near me. I eyed his clean white Flyers tee and red shorts and made plans on talking him right out of his clothes, just so I could steal them.
“Hey?” he asked with a smirk of his own and a cocked eyebrow. “If you don’t get your ass over here and greet me properly.” I was on him in an instant, our bodies pressed together while he kissed me like we weren’t in the middle of a crowd. I knew we were officially outed, and pictures would be all over the internet by dinner, but I was glad that at least we got to do it on our own terms. We went around, meeting a few of his teammates and their families, and my smile got a little bigger every time he introduced me to someone as his girlfriend. Once it finally started to clear out, we walked hand in hand down the tunnel.
“So,” I started, leaning in. He stooped down so I could whisper in his ear. “Are you one of those athletes who feels that they have to abstain from sex for the season to stay focused? Because, if so, we may need to renegotiate the terms of our contract.”
“Amaya,” he chuckled as he gripped my waist roughly. “Respectfully, my dick been hard since the last time I saw you, so I can’t wait to get you home so I can knock that shit out the frame.”
“Oh,” I said, my face heating up when he planted a kiss to myneck and tapped me on my ass. Usually, he didn’t start talking nasty like that until we were in the act, but that shit made me want to get naked right there.
“Oh, there you are!” A voice called from behind us. “I know that I’m late, but I’m here! I always make it!” I felt his body stiffen as his grip around my waist tightened and we both turned to face Chanel. Her eyes bounced from his face, to mine, to the hand he had around my waist, and her face broke like a windshield after a head-on collision with a brick. Even though I hated her ass, I still felt the slightest bit of sympathy. Ithadto be hard to see the person who you thought would always be with, with someone else.
Then, I remembered how she tried everything in her power to ruin him and force him to be with her, and my face went sour. I immediately started my counting down, knowing that I would need it.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
“Chase, what is this?” she asked with furrowed brows. “I’m out here going to rehab for you, and you out here hugged up with fat bitches? What the fuck is this?” The longer she went on, the louder her voice got.
“Bitch?” I asked. Security made me leave my blade in the car, but these hands went everywhere that I did, so I didn’t need it. I tried counting again, and he must have picked up on my energy.
