Naasson knew that everyone had their own interpretations of the things they saw. But the way A’ja broke down his picture, the exact way that he felt it drew him to her like metal to a magnet. Disha was never his calm. Not while she was hiding him and worrying about what her parents would say about him. And he obviously wasn’t her peace. So, it was something that he didn’t have either. Naasson closed the distance between them, and his mouth found hers.
He parted her lips with his tongue, and gripped her waist as they shared a deep kiss. Seconds later, A’ja was stepping out of her heels and getting undressed. Maybe she didn’t have peace, but she would take the moment for what it was.
A’ja opened the door of her flat and squealed as she saw Rod and Simone standing outside. “I’m so happy y’all came,” she exclaimed as she hugged Simone.
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Are you ready to play better than you’ve ever played?” her friend asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
A’ja hugged Rod, and the group sat down in the living room to catch up. One thing A’ja decided to keep to herself was Naasson. They’d been seeing each other every day for the past few weeks and having so much sex that she could barely walk straight. Naasson was a good time. He was a fun time, and he was what she needed. A’ja still had thoughts of Kenyatta from time to time, but they weren’t as heavy or torturous as they were before. She actually had hope that she was moving past the depression stage of divorce. He was going to the game, but that didn’t mean she had to introduce him to her friend and brother right away. A’ja just wanted to keep something tucked away to herself for a moment. If she talked about him and made his existence known, she’d have to explain when and why he left.
And there was bound to be a time when they parted ways. It was inevitable. A’ja knew she was being naïve as hell to think long-term with anyone. This day and age marriage and healthy relationships weren’t everyone’s end goal. A’ja laughed at her brother’s antics until her stomach was sore. Rod couldn’t be serious for more than five minutes even when he tried. It was a personality trait that A’ja mostly loved, but it could get under her skin sometimes too.
Rod and Simone had a long day of traveling, and A’ja had a long day of practice so after some food and some wine, they turned in fairly early. A’ja had just gotten comfortable in her bed and closed her eyes when her phone rang. It could be her parents calling to check in or it could be…
Naasson.She saw his name on the screen and smiled. “Hello?” she answered in a low tone.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I just got comfortable in bed. I’m talking low because my brother and friend are here, and they’re nosey.”
“Oh, okay,” he chuckled. “You trying to keep me a secret?”
“Yes,” she replied hurriedly, and they both laughed. “You know when you meet someone new how people around you get overly excited and start asking you all these questions that you don’t even really know the answer to. I don’t want to deal with that. I want to keep enjoying it however it is and whatever it is. Just simple, easy, and going with the flow.”
“I definitely agree with that. I know tomorrow is the big day, so I don’t want to hold you. I was just thinking about you, so I decided to reach out and tell you. I look forward to seeing you play tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Naasson.” A’ja couldn’t keep the smile off her face if she wanted to.
“Get some rest, Love. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
A’ja felt extremely goofy as she stared up at the ceiling with a smile on her face, but she couldn’t help it. It had been too damn long since a man made her feel all giddy inside. For however long it lasted, she just wanted to enjoy the euphoria that she was experiencing. It never lasted too long. Ever. A’ja had never wanted her time in London to go so slowly. She was usually pressed to get back to the states, but this time was different. When she went back this time, life would be extremely different. She’d be living in a new place alone. At the moment, London and basketball were the few things in her life that were still the same. A’ja wanted to embrace the change, but that was hard to do when the reason for the change made her sad as hell. And just that fast, the smile was wiped off her face, and her heart was filled with heaviness.
A’ja turned over on her side and closed her eyes before the tears could form. These days everything in her life that felt good was short-lived. She absolutely hated how heartache had become a normal emotion for her, and she was ready for it to be over.
chapter
six
Naasson sat watchingthe game intensely. He was so focused you’d think he had placed a wager. He was enthralled with watching A’ja play basketball. Naasson was also intrigued at how intense women’s basketball could be. It wasn’t as aggressive or entertaining as the men, but it was pretty close. He was so invested in the game, that he barely realized it was halfway over. A’ja was doing her thing on the court, and it was turning him on. She was something like a female Lebron James. The Lions had thirty-six points, and A’ja scored sixteen of them.
Anytime she scored, Naasson clapped loud and cheered for her. He could tell who her friend and her brother were because they were even louder than him. Naasson knew that he’d be attending more games because not only was he supporting A’ja, but it gave him something to do. He also felt that it was dope as hell that she had an upcoming away game in Belle Vue, Manchester. A’ja’s team won, and Naasson stood to his feet and cheered for her. When the game was over, he went to a local bar to have a few drinks before he went in for the night. Naasson rarely checked his social media since being in London. He had logged out of all of the apps and didn’t really care to know what was going on back home. But as he sat in the bar, he decidedto check his messages, and he saw that his DM’s were full. Too many people had reached out to figure out where he was and if he was okay.
Naasson scrolled through the names until he came across a message from Disha. She had sent it three days ago, and it simply said:Call me please.
Naasson stared at the message for a few seconds before picking up his glass and draining the alcohol from it. After a few minutes of contemplation, he waved the bartender over and ordered another drink. Finally, he dialed Disha’s number, and she answered on the third ring.
“Hi.”
“What’s up?”
“I just wanted to hear your voice. The last time we got off the phone, I was angry. I didn’t ask you how you were or make sure you were good. Once I calmed down, I realized that was wrong of me. I was selfish.”
“It is what it is, Disha. It’s fine. I expected you to feel some kind of way.”
“How are you, Naa? Are you okay?”
