“It’s just to the store; no one is gonna bother us,” he responds.
I agree for the sake of not arguing, but I know better. We hang up the phone and quickly I change out of my sweats and into a pair of tight shorts, with a loose fitting tank top. Running my fingers through my hair, I brush my teeth, then go and look in the fridge. We really have no groceries, so I make a mental list.
Then my phone chimes with a text and I check it. I’m downstairs, babe.
On my way.
Grabbing my purse, I lock up the condo and head downstairs. Sure enough, the instant the elevator doors open, there is Bain. The moment we see each other, our eyes stay connected.
I can’t help but want to run to him. Instead, I keep my poise and confidence ’til we are finally brought together. He shrouds his tattooed arms around me, holding me tight. But I want more than a hug, so I pull away, pressing our lips together.
“Mmmm, you smell good,” he says and grabs my hand. We walk outside and there is a Lincoln town car waiting for us. The team always has them to take players to and from practice.
“Don’t you wanna walk?” I ask.
“I would, but I’m tired and my knee is sore as fuck after banging it in practice.”
He opens the door and we get in. There is a bouquet of flowers on the seat and I smile, picking them up and pressing my nose into them.
“How was practice? Is your knee bad?”
“It was good, and my knee will be fine. You make everything better,” he says cupping my sex through my pants. “What about you?” he asks, still holding me.
“It was nice. I didn’t unpack shit around the condo. But I signed you a new deal with a clothing company. The contract should be back from your attorney tonight.”
“Sweet, what does this one entail?”
“A photo shoot and then you’ll get a big check and a ton of free stuff.”
“Oh, God, it better be shit I like.
“It is, I promise.”
“Good. Well, I was thinking today about what we should do this weekend. What do you think?”
“Stay in the condo, no electronics, and stare at the amazing views.”
“I love it. I’ll tell James and Benny we need some down time.”
“You’re awesome. You really think we could?”
“Absolutely.”
“Here you are, Mr. Adams. I’m gonna pull around the block and park, just call me when you’re done.”
“Thanks, Carl,” Bain tells the driver. “We won’t be long.”
We hop out and he is immediately spotted. “Bain, Bain!” two young men yell, coming over to us. We start to walk inside and they ask, “Can we just get a picture?”
Bain looks at me and I nod my head. He stops and the guys look like they are on cloud nine. One of them looks around as to find someone to snap the shot. I offer to take it for them. After a few smiles and some autographs, Bain and I finally enter the store. He grabs a cart and we move through aisle after aisle, focusing on each other. I can sense he’s being recognized, but he never takes his attention off of me. I love that about him, I’m always number one in his eyes. I know I always have been and always will be.
Check out is a breeze and the drive back to the condo is quick. Once we arrive, Bain first puts his gym bag on his shoulder and then we unload the groceries. Herbert, our doorman, greets us with a friendly hello and of course starts to ask Bain how practice has been going, engaging him in talks about basketball. As I stand there with a heavy load of bags, I kiss his cheek and whisper, “I’m gonna head up, take your time.”
He nods his head in agreement and I walk off. Bain really admires how nice and kind of a man Herbert is. His brother used to play in the NBA, so the two of them always get to talking about basketball. I keep my eyes on Bain ’til the elevator doors close. God I love him. Walking down the hallway on the eighteenth floor, I search my purse for the door key. Finally, I fish it out, somehow with all of the bags still in my hand.
When I slide the key into the lock, I feel a cold hand on my upper arm. I freeze and slowly turn as the voice of a ghost says, “A.”
Instantly, I recognize it and am scared to turn around. As I do, I can’t believe my eyes. This is not fucking possible. I lose all control in my arms and drop the grocery bags. The milk hits the ground and busts open, tipping and splashing all over, pooling around my feet. With my eyes locked on his, I’m shocked. Taking my hands, I press them to the sides of my face and shake my head. There is no way it’s really him. “Nate?”