Page 19 of A Player's Prayer
“What I have, I earned.” I stood from the table, trashing the remainder of my lunch. “I busted my ass to get where I am, and if I want the finer things in life, I’m going to have them because I deserve to. The only thing I have to tell you is that you’re acting really weird, and you need to check that.”
Leaving her behind at the cafe, I decided to continue with my day of shopping. I was flabbergasted that Zaria was assuming my life now came from anything other than me busting my ass. I got up every day and worked for the things I have. Even after Adriandropped a big bag of cash in my lap, I still had plans to continue working either at Grove’s Memorial or one of the urgent care clinics closer to my townhouse. And even if I did decide to stop working, that was none of Zaria’s business. I wasn’t counting her pockets, nor was I requiring her to provide anything for me.
Walking the Galleria, I found my favorite store, and I knew I was going to have a time. Before I could step completely inside, my phone started ringing, and I knew who it was instantly.
“Hello, Adrian,” I answered through my AirPods. Burping into my ear, Adrian cussed while I balled up my face at the audacity of this negro.
“What’s up, Kodi? My bad, best friend… a nigga needed that. I just fucked up a plate of wings at Skip’s club.”
“Ooo! I can’t wait to come visit. Some of the nurses said Club Honey is a hit every night.” I did a little jig as if I were already there. So many shifts were spent with the nurses, medical techs, and CNAs talking about their crazy nights at Club Honey. I’d yet to go, but I knew Amelia would do one-twenty on the highway to get us there if I asked.
“Man, your fine ass don’t need to be in nobody’s club with all that ass you got behind you. Fuck around and have me shooting up my brother’s spot.”
Laughing, I paid Adrian no mind. He was forever threatening to unalive anybody over me. It has been three days since our picnic date, and we’ve been talking every day on the phone since. I enjoyed his banter and had learned how smart he was, even though his everyday actions didn’t show it.
“Where you at, Kodi?” he asked after ranting about a setback in his shoe release schedule. He was supposed to get a few shoe samples this week, but the factory workers in Portugal had gotten a stomach bug and had to shut down for a few days.
“I’m in Sephora at the Galleria. Come meet me. I’ll wait for you.”
“Why in the fuck would I want to meet you at Sephora, Kodi? Do I look like a nigga that needs to re-up on Fenty blush? Get the fuck out of here with that shit.”
Laughing hysterically into the phone, I apologized as I caught the attention of several shoppers. “I’m just saying,bestie. I thought?—”
“If today is supposed to be about you spending time with me, then you need to get off the phone, Dakota.” Zaria huffed as she appeared behind me. I guess she’d finished the steak and was ready to bitch some more now that her tummy was full. “You act like that’s your nigga or something. Didn’t you say he was just with two girls the other day?” I turned to face her as she eyed me in disgust. “Yet you want to sit up here and act like Bear is the bad guy. You must be slow?—”
“Adrian, let me call you back.” I went into my purse to find my cell phone. “Zaria’s right, I am being rude for being on the phone with you.”
“Fuck her!” he hollered, snapping as he inhaled from what I assumed was his blunt. There was never a time that we were on the phone and he wasn’t smoking. “I heard that shit she said too. Tell her she’s just mad because I want to stick my dick in you and not her piggy lookin?—”
Beep. Beep.
Disconnecting the phone call, I placed it back in my purse before giving her my attention. I couldn’t control what came out of Adrian’s mouth, but I tried my best not to listen to his insults about my friend. Zaria pretended to be busy with the different perfume fragrances and not notice me staring at her, but I knew better.
“Zaria, if there’s something you want to get off your chest, then I need you to say it. I feel like I’ve given you multiple opportunities to be real with me.” I placed my hand on hershoulder and turned her toward me. The way she was looking, you would think that I slapped her. “Speak now or not at all.”
“Fine!” She slammed the perfume bottle on the shelf, and I thought it was going to break with the amount of force she’d applied. “You move here to this stupid-ass city and now you’re acting as if you’re better than us.”
“Who the fuck isus?” I asked in confusion. She clearly had some underlying issues, and while I would rather hash them out in the privacy of my home, it was go time. “Not once have I ever acted as if I were better than you or anybody else. What’s the real issue?”
Rolling her eyes, she continued to shop as if my words meant nothing and that the conversation was over. One thing I’ve never been good at was kissing ass. If she wanted to act like a brat, she would do it on her own. I wasn’t going to allow her to ruin my day.
After shopping in silence for over an hour, it was time to leave the store and head out for massages. Taking my items out of the mesh bag, the cashier was almost finished ringing up my beauty products when Zaria came and placed hers on the counter.
“Be a friend and buy me this.” She gave me a fake smile before rolling her eyes. “It’s the least you can do. I mean… I know the nigga you mess with has a little money, so you can buy?—”
“Ma’am, this will be all.” I gestured toward my things as she watched the interaction between Zaria and me. “One thing about me, Z, is that I’m a good friend with a good heart. But nobody isevergoing to play with me. I don’t let random people play with me, so imagine what happens to the peopleI knowwho choose to play on my top.”
Nodding and agreeing, the cashier rang me up while Zaria stomped her mad ass out of the store. The entire time that she has been here, it’s been nothing but animosity. It ends today.
Leaving the store, I groaned when I noticed Adrian’s navy blue Trackhawk parked next to my Benz as Zaria leaned against the passenger side door on her phone. I don’t know what her beef with Adrian was about, but she hates his guts. Approaching my car to place my shopping bags in the trunk, her phone conversation was now within earshot.
“I’m so ready to get on the flight and head home, babe. Bear wasn’t lying when he said she’s changed. I guess her new nigga got her feeling herself.”
“You know what?” I slammed my trunk down right as Adrian was getting out of his truck. “Let me call you an Uber to take you to the house.” I pulled my iPhone from my purse and pulled up the ride-share app. “If you want me to be a bitch, I can show you one. I have been nothing but a friend since you’ve been here, Zaria. You’ve been at my house, eating my food, and been rude as fuck to me since you got here.” Pausing my scrolling, I stepped to her face. “You say I’ve changed? It’s you! You’ve been talking to me like a fucking dog, and for what? Because I wanted to leave town and do better for myself… away from Florida? My father is locked up, and my grandmother is dead! There wasn’t shit for me there!”
“I was there!” she yelled as she stepped toward me. “Me, Sed, and Bear are your family, and you left us!”
Taken aback, I eyed her like she had lost her damn mind. “Zaria, you can’t be serious. Them niggas is not my family.”
