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I didn’t think about Coach, or the rest of the team. Not the other kids waiting for us to visit. “I’ll hit him up.” I slapped his hand then Tree’s before I said, “My bad. For real. I’ll see y’all later this week.”
The pain in my hand increased as I gripped the steering wheel. But the anger inside of me at dude for approaching me was worse. From jump, I didn’t like dude. From the moment Gigi told me he cheated on her. Before me and her were anything other than strangers in a bar. Then I knew if I ever met the dude, I’d square up with him. But now that she was my girl, oh, he had to see me.
Still, I could hear my mama telling me that it was unnecessary. Violence in her eyes, was always unnecessary. Dad, on the other hand, would argue it was circumstantial. I wasn’t ready for that debate yet, so I avoided contact with them.
I wasn’t ready to talk to anyone. But I needed to take Corinne’s advice and get ahead of the story his punk ass would surely spin. With my phone to my ear, I walked into my house. “Shana,” I hurried, “Hey, I may need your help.”
“What can I do for you, Angelo?” Shana was one of the most notable agents that year. One of her clients was a top ten draft pick. If anyone could come up with a plan, it’d be her.
“We volunteered at the children’s hospital today—”
Her bubbly voice continued, “I heard. Great publicity. Good look as these sponsors start rolling in for you.”
“I hit a dude.” I had to rip the Band-Aid off quick.
“You what?” The sunshine drained from her voice.
I explained the situation, then after asked, “Anything you can do to make sure this doesn’t hit the media too hard.”
She scoffed. “You mean in the internet age where everyone has an opinion?” I could hear her breathing hard into the phone. “Let me see what I can do.” Before she hung up, she warned, “Angelo, don’t talk to anyone.”
“Got it.” But as soon as I hung up with her, my phone vibrated in my hand. I looked at the screen and cringed. “Fuck.” Gigi wasn’tanyone.She wasthe one.My eyes bulged.Did I just…
The phone still vibrated in my hand. It stopped. Then started again.
“Hello?”
Gigi huffed, “Oh my goodness. Angelo, are you okay? I heard what happened.”
“Yeah, I’m good.” I walked to the freezer and pulled out the ice.
“Tell me what I’m hearing isn’t true.”
I closed my eyes and leaned against the counter. The despair in her voice destroyed me.
“Gigi, there’s two things I’mma do. Show up for my team and protect the people I love.”
“Wait…” There was a long ass pause. “What?”
I said it.The four-letter word I reserved for my mama on all occasions. My dad on special occasions. And my sister if she was lucky. The word I hadn’t uttered to anyone outside of those three ever.
Did Gigi make four?I shrugged. Gigi made four. And I wasn’t mad about it.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Gianna
Lora Leigh running into my office to tell me Angelo and my ex were in a fight was chaotic. Learning it was a tad one sided, even more bizarre. But hearing Angelo say, “I protect the people Ilove.” That was like rain in the middle of the desert. Unexpected, but welcomed on every single account.
I already planned to stop by his house that night, but his words had me hurrying from my desk. Grabbing my purse and walking toward the front door.
Lora Leigh asking, “Going to see about Angelo?” didn’t get a response from me.
Not the one she expected. I said, “Have a good night. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” before exiting the office.
I couldn’t get to Angelo’s house fast enough. When I told him I was on my way to check on him, I could hear the worry in his voice dissipate.
I showed up to his house with a bag of snacks, a first-aid kit, and my overnight bag. “Come here,Tyson,” I said after he opened the door.
