Me: Perv.
I waited a few seconds as I chewed on my nails.
Me: What are you doing? Send me a pic…
Stenton: I’m about to head outside to play.
A picture came through and my mouth dropped. Stenton was decked out in a black cowl neck sweater that framed his chiseled chest intriguingly. He rolled his sleeves displaying the heavy ink of his forearms, making the look every bit cosmopolitan. He paired it with what appeared to be casual hunter green riding pants. What topped it off was the black fedora atop his head and gold wire framed sunglasses that hid his eyes. Stenton looked good enough to eat.
And those heart shaped lips…
I figured he decided to put away his rocker boy style for tonight. I just hoped it wasn’t for someone of the female persuasion. I felt that unfamiliar pang of jealousy excreting into my bloodstream. Sex does that to people. Or at least it did to me in that moment.
Me: Be sure to play in the middle of the turnpike.
Stenton: LMMFAO & SMH. Lata Nina.
Jealousy felt crappy.
~~~~~~~~~~
July 2007 ~Stenton~
“You okay, Zo?”
Zoey’s head popped over to face me. Her eyes were big and mouth open, evidently caught off guard by the sudden sound of my voice.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I see you’re finally up.” She cracked a small smile.
“Yup,” I croaked as I stretched my arms and legs, yawning hard and big, tired as fuck.
“Did you sleep through landing?” she asked, still smirking. “I can’t believe you were out from the time we took off until now. Somebody’s too tired to vacation.”
Not too tired for what I have in mind for you, though.
When I learned that we’d be going to the finals, I had Paul book a getaway. My last game was last night. As soon as I got off the court, finished my interviews, took the usual pictures, chatted with coaches and teammates, and showered, I headed home to do last minute packing. Excitement wouldn’t allow my labored body to sleep. I twisted and turned with heavy anticipation of the next day.
Before the sun rose the following morning, we headed straight to Princeton to pick up Zoey and then shot up to Teterboro airport. I was drained—physically and emotionally—from this season. I put my all in, pushed myself, and now I needed respite. I used being alone and away with Zoey for a week as my carrot-at-the-end-of-the-stick to perform optimally. And I did. So, I got to hide away and restore in the Cayman Islands…with her.
When Zoey stepped on the plane, I noticed she was a little off. Likely because of the private jet that I chartered. I’d taken several women on their first chartered plane experience and had gotten several reactions; some outwardly excited, some indifferent—those were the groupies who only fucked with dudes with money—and this time with Zoey, it was different. She tried hard to not come across too thrilled, but did admit to never being on a private aircraft. Another new experience for my Ni?a. This was going to be a great vacation. That, I was sure of.
“You ready, chief?” Rob asked as he and Barry shuffled from their seats behind Zoey and me to get to the main door of the cabin.
As I studied Zoey, I answered, “For sure.” She still looked a little askew.
I knew taking this young girl out of the country was crazy, but it was what I wanted. I paid minimal attention to my curiosity as to what tale she gave her family about being away this week, but decided to watch her closely to be sure she didn’t freak out. Zoey was adventurous, but still grew up in a bubble and wasn’t exposed to the shit I lived. Like now, she was eyeing Rob and Barry as though she’d never seen them before.