Page 13 of A Player's Prayer
“What is your blind ass doing?” I giggled unintentionally because he thought my glasses were the quirkiest thing. “I’ve been calling you to see if you wanted to grab breakfast. Where you at? Why do I hear birds chirping and shit?”
“Adrian, I just finished a run.” I rolled my neck before wiping away excess sweat from my face. “I have some things to do today, so I’m going to pass on the food. Thank you, though. I’m going to get a protein shake from the cafe by my house instead. I have to go, though, so I’m going to call you later. Okay?”
“Bet,” is all he said before disconnecting the call. At first, I thought that shit was so rude, and I still do, but I also know now it’s just him.
Placing the phone back inside my bag, I turned and gave my attention back to Dr. Morrison. “Sorry, Dr.—I mean, Craig.” He chuckled as I gave him a small smile. “What were you saying?”
“I was just telling you about where I was going to take you on our date Monday night.” He smirked as he stepped closer. “It’s not like you have to work.”
Rolling my eyes playfully, I turned and resumed the path toward the exit. “Do you think that’s a good idea? You’re practically my boss. The last thing I need at that hospital is for people to think I’m sleeping with a coworker.”
While I couldn’t care less about what the staff thinks, I didn’t want to put myself in any unnecessary drama. What happened with Wild was enough to last me for a lifetime at Grove’s Memorial.
“What’s a harmless dinner amongst friends?” he asked as we made our way to the cafe. I didn’t invite him to join, but he had followed. I was thankful the small business wasn’t crowded yet when we reached the parking lot. “I just want to have good conversation with a pretty girl. Wait…” He held the door openfor me to enter, but stopped me from going in. “You don’t have a boyfriend, do you? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. Even though I’m sure your pretty ass is worth the risk.”
“I assure you, I’m single.” I thanked him for the door as I stepped inside. The smell of freshly baked Danishes damn near knocked me to my knees. “I have greater things to worry about at the moment; employment being at the top of the list.”
Stepping to the front counter, I ordered my protein shake, the same as I did every day. Craig insisted on paying, so I stepped to the side and let him. As we made small talk while we waited for our order, that familiar voice sounded behind me, causing me to groan.
“Damn, Kodi! You’re looking gooder than that chocolate cake on Matilda in those tights.”
Walking up behind us was none other than Adrian Mills. Dressed in a simple white tee and khaki shorts, the man was so damn good-looking. His dark brown dreads were out of the bun, flowing freely on his shoulders. I could tell he’d used a different cologne today, but it still smelled like money and violence. His perfectly straight teeth glistened as he flashed me an open-mouth grin before shifting his eyes to Dr. Morrison. The diamonds in the Cuban link around his neck danced just as much as the Patek on his wrist. The A Ma Manière Air Jordans on his feet were new because not a crease was in sight. All of this glory didn’t seal the deal—it was his demeanor. This man was fine, and his cocky ass knew it.
“Adrian… what have I told you about your mouth?” I frowned at him as he got closer. His eyes never left the man standing next to me until I slightly raised my voice. “Adrian!”
“My bad, baby,” he said as he slowly dragged his eyes down to me. “You know a nigga don’t have it all.”
With a slow grin, flashing his model-type smile again, he reached out and pulled me into a hug. It shocked me becausethe last time I was this close to him, we were throwing hands aggressively. Against my better judgment, I closed my eyes and melted into his embrace, inhaling that cologne that mixed perfectly with his natural odor. His smelling so good had to be because of my lack of intimacy. It was ashamed how much I wanted to bite his ass right now in these people café.
“Gooder…? Did you meanbetter?” Dr. Morrison asked out loud, pulling me from the daydream I was having. Before I could intervene, knowing Adrian was ignorant as hell, he slid me smoothly to his side and eyed Dr. Morrison again.
“You talking to me, Larry the Crab?”
I snapped my eyes closed to hopefully cage the chuckle that was attempting to escape.
“Wait… Adrian? Adrian Mills?” Craig cleared his throat. “I’d think someone of your caliber would speak better in the presence of a lady. Nevertheless, I’m Dr. Craig Morrison.” He gave Adrian a tight smile as he handed over the shake he’d grabbed during my lustful hug with Adrian. “We met briefly at Memorial…”
“I don’t know you, Larry.” He frowned, folding his arms across his chest. Not giving Dr. Morrison another word, he turned his attention back to me. “I thought you said you had something to do when I called about breakfast. You out here on dates with Mr. Clean and shit?—”
“Dr. M— I mean, Craig… Thank you so much for this.” I held up my drink as I pushed Wild toward the door. “I owe you one.”
“I’m going to hold you to that!” he called out as Adrian and I stepped outside. He’d left his Trackhawk running on the curb, not caring about someone possibly jacking his truck.
“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I hissed as soon as we were alone.
“Meee?” He dragged out his words and palmed his chest. “You blew me off so you can have a date with that steroid-taking-ass nigga? You like him or something? What? I’m gon’ have to start calling you Sandy, and Tanessa’s wide ass, SpongeBob?”
Looking at Adrian as if he’s lost his mind, I came to the conclusion that maybe he had. “Are you jealous?” I smirked as I sipped my drink. “Let me find out…”
“The only thing you’re going to find out is how I really get down around this muthafucka.” Taking a coin from his pocket, he flipped it in the air before catching it. Frowning in bewilderment that this man had really been flipping a coin to make decisions, I watched as he uncovered it with his hand to see what it landed on.
“It’s your lucky day, Kodi.” He sounded disappointed as he walked over to the passenger door of his Jeep, holding it open. “Bring your ass on so I can drop you off at home. Out here blowing me off and shit just to kick it with Terry Crews.”
Against my better judgment, I bellowed out in laughter as I slid inside. From the SpongeBob references to him jabbing at Dr. Morrison being bald, Adrian had me in tears now that I was able to let myself laugh.
Calming down, I looked around his Jeep. I knew the model was expensive because Bear always complained that he wanted one but couldn’t afford the down payment. His ass thought I was going to help him once I got my first nursing position in Florida. The nigga had been dumb from the start to think that was ever going to happen. Now that I had left him, the memories of the constant bickering over how I spent my money was noticeable. I wasn’t sure why Bear thought I was going to take care of him after we got back together because I’d never given off that vibe in all the years he’d known me. My grandmother didn’t raise no fool, even though I was foolish to let him play me for years.
Adrian’s Trackhawk interior was nice, though, and I could tell he’d had it customized. The truck smelled of marijuana and him, even though he had a car seat in the back. As he got into thetruck, he mumbled to himself about how I had him fucked up. Instead of entertaining him or asking who the car seat was for, I remained quiet. When he pulled away, I locked eyes with Dr. Morrison through the heavily-tinted windows. The look on his face looked less than pleased, but I only had the energy for one crazy nigga today.
