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“Yeah. I take it you’ve been to a concert.”
“Or two or three. I’m a huge fan. Don’t worry, Ms. Zenith. We’ll get this taken care of for you.”
“I really appreciate that, Officeeerrr…” I said as I looked at his badge. “Atwater? I know you lying.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. Very coincidental.”
Now all I could think about was the TV showChicago PD.Atwater was the whole reason I even watched the show. The officer standing in front of me was easy on the eyes as well. He licked his lips and smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back. Was he flirting with me? He handed me his card and said, “We will file this when we get to the computer in the car. If you have any questions or issues, feel free to call.”
“Thank you, Officer Atwater,” I said and giggled.
He slowly shook his head as a smile appeared on his face. Glancing over at his partner, I could see he was wrapping up as well and was about to escort Arik off the premises. “Kenya, I really am sorry about everything. I just wanted to right my wrongs.”
“It’s too late for that, Dr. Matthews. I hate it had to get to this point.”
He nodded and walked out ahead of the officers. I rolled my eyes and mumbled, “Jackass.”
Atwater turned to look at me before leaving. “See you at the next concert.”
“Sounds like a plan. Thank you.”
I supposed I wasn’t as ‘in the shadows’ as I thought I was since he recognized me. Then again, I didn’t have a very common last name, so he probably assumed I was related anyway. Taryn and I resembled, but I looked more like my dad than she did. When they left, I went back to my luggage, making sure I had everything together, then texted Nate.Restraining order filed. Are you busy?
I had about an hour before I had to leave for the airport. Seeing Nate and being free with him was all I could think about. After rolling my luggage to the door, my phone started ringing. A slow smile made its way to my lips.Here’s to a new beginning… hopefully, the journey to my one.
CHAPTER 7
NATE
“Nate!”
People were screaming, and cameras were flashing as I made my way through the airport. This shit was getting worse. It didn’t used to be so bad. Ever since my game had elevated and people saw my connection to Noah, it had gotten worse. That private jet wasn’t sounding so bad now. The security team was in place, though, and I was thankful. I should have flown in with the team and avoided all this, but I wanted to get here earlier to chill out with Noah.
He said he and TAZ would be in Palm Beach tonight, so that was where I was headed. It was only a little over an hour from Miami. The team would be here later tonight. We would have a one-hour practice in the morning. After getting in the car that was waiting for me, I sent Kenya a message, letting her know I’d landed and was heading to my hotel to change.
I was a little nervous about the concert because Noah was planning something, but I wasn’t sure what. The unknown tended to make me a little antsy. While I was sure it probably wasn’t anything bad, I just didn’t want it to be anything that would make me emotional, especially not in front of all those people.
Kenya texted back, telling me to be careful and have a good time with Noah. I wished I would have asked her to come along. After more thought about the situation, my mind kept telling me to slow down. She had a lot of drama going with her ex. Although she didn’t say, I was pretty sure he saw the flowers from me. I had no intentions of being in the middle of that bullshit. With the way the media was following me these days, he would know about our attraction to each other before we could count to ten.
When I heard him banging on her door, everything in me wanted to hop a flight and get to her. My heart was already feeling a way toward her, and I didn’t like that shit. I fell in love within two point five seconds, if I was already feeling somebody and I had the slightest inclination that they were feeling me too. I paced for an entire hour after getting off the phone with her, waiting to hear back and hoping she was okay.
Surely, she would think I was crazy and that I was on some rebound shit. My attraction to Jessica wasn’t a secret to anyone close to me, or Jess for that matter. Kenya had probably heard Noah or TAZ talking about it. I noticed how beautiful Kenya was right away, but I didn’t have any plans of pursuing anything with her at the time. She could have very well heardmetalking about Jess to Noah.
I’d never dated an older woman, but I knew I could handle it. People in my family often told me I had an old soul. I was mature for my age because I mostly hung around people older than me. As a kid, it was rare I stayed overnight at anybody’s house, because my mama didn’t play that mess. She said she refused to possibly subject me to anybody’s toxicity, whether it was intentional or not. If she didn’t know somebody’s parents, I couldn’t even go to their house to play, let alone spend the night.
So my upbringing had unknowingly prepared me for Kenya and everything she had to offer. I just hoped my upbringing could also ensure I used wisdom when dealing with her situation with her ex. I hated being gun shy when it came to my feelings. When it concerned a woman, I didn’t usually hesitate about what I wanted. However, that shit with Jessica had me rethinking my second and third thoughts. Even with all that hesitation and second guessing, I still wished I would have invited Kenya out.
Once I was changed and looking fresh, with my gold and diamond chains hanging around my neck, I made my way to my car. I was happy Noah had set up my security, because I would have come out here naked, no security in sight, and got mauled. People in the hotel were taking pictures and waving. I gave a few head nods and posed for a couple of pictures then got inside the car.
Following my thoughts from earlier, I sent Kenya a text.I wish I would have asked you to come out early with me. You’re probably busy anyway. You’ll be at the concert tomorrow though, right?
I knew she sang background for them sometimes, but I didn’t know if she would be making the trip. She was at the show I missed in Houston, so I was glad I didn’t go. She would have had to see my attraction to Jessica play out right before her eyes. Her text came through as my car turned into the gated community.
You should have asked me. I’m not busy.
I was gonna have to stop tripping. I could have been holding her in my arms. This was a private residence, so I was more than sure no one would be sneaking pictures to exploit. I dropped my head back against the seat, mouthing,fuck my life.
When the driver opened the door for me, I surveyed the three-story Mediterranean style home. I was pretty sure these types of homes were even more popular in Florida. Palm trees lined the driveway. Everything about it looked inviting. Walking up to the front door, I could hear the noise inside, not to mention the music playing. I rang the doorbell, and surprisingly, Noah was the one to greet me.
