“Well, everything went great until he basically kicked my ass to the curb this morning.” I look at my sister. “He literally handed me my jeans, called me a cab, and told me not to let the door hit me on the way out.”
“Wait, what? He said that?” Her jaw drops and she has shock written all over her face.
“In so many words.” I look around the room. “Where’s Jen?”
My sister breaks into a grin and looks to Gabby, who begins shaking her head.
“You know Jennifer. Apparently, she also had a night with a basketball star and hasn’t been kicked to the curb yet.” She throws her head back and laughs. I slap her with a pillow from behind, only causing her to laugh harder. This is one of those moments where I hate my sister.
“Whatever, I’m heading to take a bath. I’m starving and ready to see my boy.” I grab my bag and head to the bathroom and forget the time I spent with Landon Prince.
But why’d the sex have to be so damn good?
Chapter Seven
“Mom, I have a question and I really need you to say yes because it’ll make me the happiest kid in the whole entire world.” I glance at my son. He’s standing with his hands behind his back and trying not to smile as I stare him down.
“And what is the question?” I stop wiping the countertop and cross my arms in front of me, giving him my full attention.
“Well, ya know how I just had a birthday?” he asks, as if I could have forgotten that special day. I nod. “Well, I think it’s time for me to go to a ballgame.”
I’m caught off-guard momentarily. Not because I don’t think he deserves it, he loves this sport so much, but I, however, am no longer a fan. If I thought I hated basketball before, well, let’s just say I completely despise it now.
“Hmm. I’m not sure, buddy. The games cost a lot of money.”
“I know, I’ve been saving in my piggy bank and Mimi and Peepaw said they’d give me some extra for helping do yard work last time I was there.” He bites his bottom lip, nervous of my answer. I’m not sure if I'm able to attend another game, the last one was a disaster, not to mention the events after the game. But, if I say no, I'm punishing my child for my selfish situation and hatred of the game. A game, he truly enjoys.
“I’ll call Jennifer and see if I can get us some tickets for a game soon.” Carson turns to run away. “But –” He stops quickly and slowly turns back to face me. “That bedroom better stay clean all week, mister.”
He laughs, runs over to me, and gives me a hug before heading back down the hallway.
One thing is for sure, I’m not wearing that damn shirt he gave me.
Jennifer was able to come through with the same tickets we had to the game two weeks ago. Carson hasn’t stopped talking about the game since I told him we could go. I’m still unsure if this is a good idea, but Carson doesn’t deserve to miss out on things just because I can’t stand the thought of seeing a giant douchebag again.
“Holy cow, Momma.” I look down at my son; his smile is the biggest I have ever seen. He’s staring at the jumbotron, in awe of everything surrounding him. Several players are on the court warming up, and my eyes glance to each one. Searching him out, and hating myself for doing so.
“I see you looking for him,” Jennifer says as she takes the seat beside me.
“Oh, shut up.” I roll my eyes and sit back in my seat.
“I talked to Cal about that whole situation.” She leans closer so that Carson doesn’t overhear the conversation. “He said he’s never heard of Landon kicking anyone out and that he has never allowed anyone to come to his house before.”
“Well, he did.” I cross my arms over my chest and huff. “And why are you still talking to Cal King?” I raise my eyebrows at her in question.
The players all begin moving back toward the tunnel that leads to the locker room. One by one, they walk by. Cal looks our way, then winks at Jennifer beside me. He approaches our seats in the front row and exchanges a quick hello with Jen before turning his attention on Carson.
“Hey, dude. You must be Carson?” He squats in front of my son and holds his fist out. My son taps his to Cals and I can see the disbelief on his face. He is talking to one of the star athletes he’s watched play basketball on TV. His little mind is racing so quickly and I slowly let go of some of the anger when I see his excited expression.
“Hi. You’re gonna kick butt tonight, Mr. King.” He’s always so proper when he speaks to a grownup and it makes me beam with pride.
“Call me Cal, bud. You wanna go shoot some hoops with me?” Cal stands, holding his hand out for a ball that one of the ball boys quickly tosses his way.
Carson turns to me. “Can I, Momma?”
“Sure,” I toss back, knowing this is making his year right now. I pull my phone from my back pocket and quickly open the photo app. I can’t miss these moments.
I snap several pictures of Carson attempting to shoot, only to fall short.
“He’s great, isn’t he?” she asks, her eyes focused on Cal playing with my son.
“He really is. What’s going on there?” I ask, curious to know the answer. I return my attention back to Carson, who is trying to steal the ball from Cal. Cal pretends to trip, giving Carson the perfect opportunity to snatch the ball away and shoot. Only to miss once again because the goal is ten foot.
“Nothing. Girl, you know I don’t like to be tied down and he’s a player just like me. Two individuals cut from the same cloth. It’s really perfect. Fuck buddies is my thing, and he is a damn good fuck buddy.” I laugh at her admission.
I watch as Landon approaches where Carson and Cal are still playing ball, and freeze. He bends and gives my son a fist bump, the same as Cal. I can see them chatting away with each other, my son extremely enthusiastic to be talking to both star players of the Atlanta Hawks. The two they call “The Royals.”
Carson looks my way and points with his little hand. He has a giant smile and gives the biggest wave when he sees me watching him. Landon looks my direction and pauses, his face a stone mask now.
What the fuck?
Cal walks Carson back toward me, Landon slowly following along behind. When they approach our seats, Landon avoids making eye contact with me, making this entire situation slightly awkward.
“Momma, will you take our picture please? I can’t wait to show Peepaw when we get home.” Carson is bouncing up and down with excitement. I pull my phone up again. Cal and Landon each kneel beside Carson, who is holding a basketball to his chest. Cal winks at Jennifer before smiling at the camera. Our eyes collide momentarily, Landon’s focused on mine as I snap away.
Once finished, Landon stands, pulling a silver sharpie from his pocket, and asks Carson for the ball. He scribbles his name across it and passes it to Cal, who does the same. They each fist bump Carson once again and head toward the locker room. Landon doesn’t bother looking back as I watch him disappear through the entrance of the tunnel.
“Momma. Wow. Can you believe that I got to go on the court with them?” Carson tosses his new basketball in his hands. “Maybe one day I’ll be as huge as them and get to play basketball. Wouldn’t that be awesome, Momma?”