Page 18 of A Player’s Prayer (Mills Brothers #3)

“Wow… don’t you guys look cozy.” A light-skinned girl approached us, startling us both.

She was really pretty and slim, but the mug on her face let me know she wasn’t too happy seeing me here with Adrian.

“I came here to celebrate my little cousin’s birthday and imagine my surprise when I see you pull up, looking like a family with her.

” She pointed her frail finger at me, and I wanted to break the shit in half.

This hoe didn’t know me to be jabbing her fingers in my space.

“Who is this, Wild? Our replacement? Is she the reason you’ve been blowing me and Talena off? ”

Ignoring her, Adrian continued to sip his slush as if she weren’t here, yapping away. I tried to pull away from him, but he held me tighter. Seeing as though she couldn’t take the hint, I decided to intervene.

“Hi, I’m Dakota, and trust, I’m not anyone’s replacement. This is a family-friendly facility, so if you have any concerns for Adrian, maybe schedule some time to see him later.”

People stared at our interaction but said nothing as we walked away.

We weren’t loud—Adrian was just a Mills, which caused everyone to stare, no matter what was happening.

The girl didn’t seem to appreciate being ignored, so she continued to follow us, talking shit along the way.

The more we walked, the louder she got. Now, I was annoyed, but I wasn’t the only one.

“Uncle Wild… the girl behind us is acting like a chicken head with the loud talking.” I tried to hide my laugh as Gi Baby frowned at the girl’s outburst. “She’s going to scare the fish.”

Taking her hand and grabbing AJ, I led them to another exhibit and told Adrian to deal with his girl before I got pissed off. As we got in line to watch the dolphin show, Gi Baby tugged my hand.

“Yes, ma’am?” I asked as I led us to our seats.

“Are you my new auntie?” she asked innocently. “Are you my uncle’s girlfriend?”

“We’re just friends, baby girl. Look!” I pointed as the dolphins began to float around in their little pools. “It’s almost showtime.”

Seeing that they had her attention, I breathed a sigh of relief.

The last thing I wanted was to be badgered by a child about her whore of an uncle.

Glancing over my shoulder, I watched as the unknown girl cried at Adrian’s retreating back as he made his way over toward us.

The way he carried himself, he knew he was that nigga.

Eyeing the girl once more, I could tell he leaves a trail of broken hearts everywhere he goes. I’ll be damned if he ever breaks mine.

“Man, you’re crazy as hell if you think Alabama is going to the national championship this year.” Adrian mugged me from his end of the couch. “I bet you money them niggas won’t see shit outside of the Lil’ Caesar’s bowl for the next three years.”

“And the Georgia Bulldogs?” I asked just to piss him off. With the way his face was scrunched up, I knew I had him. “They’re just as sorry—wait! Okay! Okay!”

Tickling me like he’d lost his mind, I twisted from his clutches and ran to the bathroom. He knows I’m ticklish, but that doesn’t stop him at all from torturing me. Making it to the bathroom just in time, I could hear him laughing on the other side of the door.

“Man, bring your pissy pussy ass out of there so we can watch a movie. Gi Baby got me watching them lil’ niggas Lilo and Stitch since that’s the theme for her tea party next week.” As he walked away, I heard him mumble, “Where the fuck am I going to find a Stitch onesie for my big ass?”

Laughing, I handled my business, thinking about how stupid he was.

Being around him consistently has been a breath of fresh air.

There have been times when I’ve wanted to send him back to his hoes because the way his phone dings all day is sickening.

Washing my hands, I looked at myself in the mirror.

It was time for me to do something about this mass of curls on my head.

Since Adrian decided to bombard my personal space so late, I was dressed in my favorite nightshirt from Walmart.

Looking at it reminded me of Zaria. We used to buy matching muumuu’s and have the best sleepovers in high school.

Adrian had been kicking it heavy with me since she left.

As promised, he followed me home that day so he could watch her get her things and leave.

She said nothing to me as she stormed inside and packed her stuff, but she had a lot to say to Sed and Bear as she cussed on the phone about me being a fake-ass hoe.

As badly as I wanted to beat her ass, my love for her wouldn’t let me.

I didn’t know if she made it home or not because she hasn’t answered my calls or messages.

While I was cool on her, I didn’t wish her any harm, so I was hoping she had made it back to Florida safely.

“Talena, if you call my phone one more muthafuckin’ time, I’m going to go down to the chicken plant and show your nigga how I nutted in his safety shoes after you sucked my dick.

” He paused for a minute before continuing, “Erica, you know you better shut the fuck up before I tell that nigga, Cal, how you stole some of his re-up money and bought me a PS5. The services of you and your homegirl are no longer required. I haven’t touched either of you in weeks. I’m chilling with my best friend. Bye.”

Listening to how he handled those girls almost made me feel sorry for them.

Their self-esteem must be in the toilet to tolerate his mouth.

I still hadn’t arranged an understanding of his behavior because the way he handles me is completely different from how he handles others.

The version of Adrian that I get is the one that makes me want to ride him like a pony.

Making my presence known, I said, “There’s no way I would give you any play just for you to talk to me like that.” I shook my head as I plopped down on the couch beside him. He’d already popped the popcorn and dimmed the lights. “You’re so mean.”

“How?” he asked with a mouth full of snacks. “I’m single, and I’m honest. Plus, I’ll never handle you like that. You know that, right?”

“Oh, I know. There’s a small scar on your lip now to prove it.” I snuggled up under him just for his phone to ring again. Glancing at the screen, it was someone named Ava.

In true Wild fashion, he answered on speaker. “What’s up, bobble head?”

“Nigga, which hoe you’re with tonight? I’m in town, and I wanted to see you.”

Trying to move to get drinks, he glowered while holding me in place. “I’m with my best friend tonight, so I’ll catch you another time.”

“Oh, her pussy must be top notch for you to be calling her your best friend .” I heard her and another girl giggle in the background. “I bet hers ain’t better than mine.”

“Ava, is it?” I chimed in because she wasn’t going to talk about me like I was some random whore.

“Let’s not do that. I don’t know what y’all tolerate from Adrian, but he knows disrespect isn’t going to fly with me from him or any of his birds.

Furthermore, my pussy is top notch, but Adrian wouldn’t be able to agree because I don’t spread my legs as easily as most. Now, as he stated, I have his time tonight. Hit him tomorrow—maybe he’ll be free.”

Ending the call myself, I got up from the couch, leaving Adrian chuckling and calling my name. I was used to his brashness when he spoke to his harem, but I wasn’t going to listen to someone talk shit about me, whether they knew me or not.

“Aye, man, come here.” He wrapped his arms around my waist as I got us bottles of water. Kissing my neck, a small shiver ran down my spine. “Ava was just talking shit. She didn’t mean anything by it.”

“You can joke with your friends all day, but I draw the line with them speaking on me.” I shrugged him off me.

I wasn’t mad; I just needed a little space between us.

It’s been a while since I’ve been intimate, and Adrian had a way of making me feel things I shouldn’t.

It’s probably why I got so aggravated. The sexual tension between us was only escalating day by day.

“I’m not going to have someone who wants your attention call me out of my name, whether they’re serious or not. I don’t play like that.”

Nodding, he grabbed my hand and led me back into the living room. The movie was just starting when he pulled me into his arms. A few minutes went by before I heard him calling someone on his cell.

“Nigga, who the fuck?—”

“Ava,” he spoke sternly as he interrupted her.

“You gotta chill on Kodi. She’s never once called you out of your name, and I’d appreciate it if you gave her the same respect.

She’s right, she’s not some hoe I’m fucking, so I’m not going to let you or anybody treat her like that for a laugh at her expense. ”

There were a few moments of silence before she spoke again and asked, “You’re serious right now?”

“Deadass.”

“Oh, wow.” She simpered lowly. “I apologize for any disrespect. I didn’t mean to offend her.”

“Bet,” was all he said before he disconnected the call. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me more into his lap to get comfortable. With my head on his shoulder, I couldn’t help but giggle.

“The fuck you laughing at, Kodi?” he groaned. “This damn movie ain’t that good to be doing all this damn giggling and shit.”

“Thank you.” I glanced up at him, finding his eyes already on me. “You just earned a lot of points from me by doing that.”

“Do these points equate to pussy?” He smiled with his voice sounding so hopeful. “I’ll have you know that I haven’t touched a woman in almost two weeks, so you can get all this work.”

“Your fan club?—”

“I haven’t stuck my dick into anybody since our date at the lake.

” I searched his eyes for deceit, but there wasn’t any.

“My mind has been on you, and you alone. I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing to me, girl, but you demand all of my time and attention.

Funny thing is, I don’t mind giving it all to you. ”

“We’re just friends, Adrian.” I lifted up from him. “Am I attracted to you? Of course, but I don’t want to blur the lines with us and ruin the friendship.”

“What if I want to be more than friends?” he asked with a straight face.

“I know you think a nigga got a lot going on, but I want you.” He licked his bottom lip before dragging his eyes down my body.

Gripping my hips with his large hands, he brought his eyes back to mine as he kneaded his fingers into my thick waist. Nothing about the motion made me ticklish.

“I’m a grown-ass man, Kodi. Just give me a chance to show you. ”

Nibbling my bottom lip, I thought about the things he’d said.

I know Adrian wasn’t going to change overnight.

I know he could possibly be spewing words that sounded good just to sample my pussy.

As we sat here with him rubbing all over me, I could feel him hardening beneath me.

He wanted me as much as I wanted him. Against my better judgment, I wanted to give in to my desires, even if for just one night.

Placing my hands on his cheeks, I brought his face to mine.

I pecked his lips a few times before easing my tongue between his lips, kissing him slowly and sensually.

I thought the first kiss on our lunch date was something, but this one surpassed it.

I knew exactly what it was about Adrian that was driving me crazy, and I wanted him, so tonight, I’d have him.

“Adrian…” I panted, gripping the back of his head as he sucked my earlobe and gripped my ass that was planted in the palms of his hands. “Fuck me.” His movements faltered at my request. “We can go back to being friends tomorrow…”