Page 38 of A Player's Prayer
His mentioning Adrian made me feel a way. He and I weren’t together, but I didn’t want to speak about him with another man. Not only that, but I felt weird about being here with Dr. Morrison. I felt like I was cheating or something, even though this was very platonic. No matter how I spun it in my mind as I chewed my greasy pizza, I realized it was time for me to go home and lie down.
“Dakota, can I ask you something?” I nodded for him to go ahead. “What do you see in thathooliganof a man? A woman like you deserves someone who worships you. Not someone that disrespects you by fucking you in an employee parking lot.” My eyes went wide in shock.
How does he know that? Was this conceited-ass nigga stalking me?
“I know who he and his family are, and the money can’t be worth your self-respect. If I were your man?—”
“You’re not, and you never will be.” I stopped him before he got too comfortable with his words. I knew I should have stayed my ass at home. It was time to go for real now. “No matter the type of time I’m on with Adrian, I won’t let you disrespect him. Please don’t speak on matters that concern me or Adrian, whether those matters happen at the hospital or not.” I gathered my things and stood from the booth. “I love Adrian for who he is and not for what he has. If you speak on him again, I will have him knocking at your front door. Have a good evening and never hit my line again if it’s not work-related.”
Storming out of the pizzeria, I stepped into the night air fuming. How dare he insinuate I’m only with Adrian for his money? How dare he call Adrian out of his name? He wasn’t my man, but I wasn’t going to let anyone play on his name. Nearing the curb where my car was parked, I felt Dr. Morrison call my name once more before I was pulled by my wrist.
“Look, Dakota?—”
“Get your hands off her and put your hands up, nigga!” Snapping my eyes behind Dr. Morrison, I froze before lifting my hands at the sight of a masked gunman. Dressed in an all-black Nike Tech sweatsuit and shiesty mask, he pointed his Glock at us both as his eyes pierced Dr. Morrison. “Make a move so I can shoot you, muthafucka.”
“Is it money you want?” Dr. Morrison asked shakily as he held the box of leftover pizza. “I have a little cash in my wallet. She may have some too. Dakota, give him your purse.”
“What?” I hissed incredulously. “You give himyourmoney!”
“Please.” Dr. Morrison fell to his knees and began to cry. “I have a wife and kids. I just wanted a little something on the side. Please don’t kill me.”
Frowning, I kept my hands raised as I lifted my foot and kicked Dr. Morrison in the back of the neck as hard as I could. How dare he try and date me while he had a family? Never mind us being held at gunpoint. If the gunman didn’t shoot his ass, I will.
“Take out your phone and call your wife, nigga!” the gunman barked out an order in a muffled tone, causing us both to jump. His voice was rough, but I couldn’t describe it due to his mouth being restricted by something. “Do it before I change my mind and shoot you.”
Placing the pizza box on the ground, he pulled his phone from his pocket and did as he was told. Looking around, the street was empty without a soul in sight. Here I was, held at gunpoint under a single streetlight, wishing I were with Adrian. He would have beaten this man’s ass by now. As I listened to Dr. Morrison cry and confess his adultery with various women, I brought my eyes back to the gunman. Looking into his eyes, there was something about them. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but they were familiar. It was almost as if…
“I did what you asked!” Dr. Morrison bawled, gun still aimed at his head. “Please let me go.”
“Give me your keys.” He held his hand out. Shakily, Dr. Morrison placed them in his hand. “Give me your money and phone too.”
Doing as he was told, I watched as Dr. Morrison handed over everything. Placing the cash in his pocket, the gunman drew back and hurled the phone and keys into the small river that was located behind us. Stepping forward, he grabbed the pizza box before giving his attention to us both.
“Now, I hope you both learned a lesson here tonight. Take your ass home to your fluffy-ass wife and hope she still wants your trifling ass.” Dragging his eyes to me, he stared for a moment before adding, “Go home. Get you a nigga that thinks you’re worth more than a twenty-dollar pizza and a quick fuck.”
His words hurt, but I wasn’t going to push my luck. Unlocking my door, I was about to slide inside my car, but his words stopped me. “Your ass looking good in those tights, baby. Keep it tight for daddy.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I locked eyes with the gunman before he lifted the bottom of his mask, eating the pizza he took from Dr. Morrison. As I watched him disappear down the dark street, I couldn’t help but wonder…
Did Adrian just rob us?
Pss.Pss. Pss.
Slashing through three of Ava’s tires, I doubled back to place a Snickers bar in her gas tank. I’d strategically placed sardines on the inside of her air vents too. Jolly Ranchers were placed all over the windows, as well as bologna all over her car. With this Georgia heat, she was going to need a brand-new car by the time I was done with her trifling ass.
I’m going into a second week without Kodi, and for every day I’m without my girl, I’m going to make Ava’s life a living hell. Had she left me the fuck alone, I wouldn’t be wreaking havoc in her life. Not only hers, but Kodi’s too. With Kodi, I’d been doing more petty shit like breaking into her house and messing with her things.
“That bitch better hope I don’t wring her fuckin’ neck,” I grumbled once I slid back into the driver’s seat of my truck. “Should’ve left me the fuck alone, tramp.”
Leaving the hotel where Ava is staying while she’s in the city. The only reason she’s still here with breath in her body is because of my sister-in-law. I don’t know or care what possessed her to come to my house the way she did, but I’m going to make her wish she had never popped her loose ass up at my shit.
Speeding through the city, my mind went to Kodi. These past couple of weeks have really shown me just how much that girl means to me. I can’t eat, sleep, or even work without her crossing my mind. My dick doesn’t even get hard for these bitches like it does for Dakota. When she caught Ava at my crib, yes, I was aroused, but it’s only because she caught me off guard. She was a pretty, thick bitch that I’d taken down before, so I knew what it was hitting for. No matter how my body reacted, I wouldn’t have fucked her. I would have put her out on her ass even if Kodi hadn’t been the one to do it. I just would have allowed her to put some clothes on.
With my thoughts consumed with her, I decided to take a chance and call her. I’ve been blocked for a few days, but I was hoping that since our birthday was coming up, she would have mercy on a nigga.
“Hello?” Her sultry voice flowed through my truck speakers, causing me to swerve. “What is it, Adrian?”
“Daddy misses you, mama.” My chest began to hurt, knowing I couldn’t have her the way I wanted to right now. “Can we sit and talk about this shit, Kodi. A nigga loves you, and regardless of what you saw, I’d never cheat on you. I’d die before I hurt you, baby.”
