Page 39

ELEVEN

“Urrrgh.”

A yawn sliced my face right open. I stretched my arms and rolled over in the hotel bed. Every time I experienced another brand of pillow, I wondered why I hadn’t been introduced to it sooner. Shortly after, my pillows at home changed. It never failed.

They were usually the key to uninterrupted and rejuvenating rest. But, this time, there was something else. Someone else. Responsible for the long hours I’d spent with my lids sealed and my thoughts silent.

There she is .

I slid the phone closer, removing it from the charger. On the FaceTime call that was surprisingly still connected, Rome slept peacefully. Her hands were tucked between her legs and her chest was curled toward her knees.

That baby is exhausted .

There was such a thing as angels on earth.

I was staring at mine. Rehearsals had been tough on her the last two days.

Their first show was coming up in twelve short days.

The preparation was more intense and more tiring than ever.

Perfection was her goal. Though it seemed impossible to others, it wasn’t to Rome.

I swiped the rectangular image upward, moving it out of the way.

I busied my fingers with the details of Rome.

Even if only for a moment, she could use the time away from her day-to-day, incredibly strict routine.

Her discipline was commendable, but if she didn’t take it easy on herself, she’d crash and burn before it was all done.

Every few seconds, I peeped at the small image of her in the corner. I knew, undoubtedly, she wouldn’t be asleep for long. Though our conversation had carried on well into the night, the internal clock in her head wouldn’t allow her to sleep past six. I was partly surprised she’d made it past five.

Gardening.

Ballet.

Family.

I’d learned they were Rome’s entire world.

Every minute of her day was dedicated to one or the other.

She lived, breathed, and adored the art she practiced day in and out.

Unconditionally, she loved those who shared the same blood and beyond.

Gardening, she’d grown an appreciation for as a child. It was an escape.

The slowness and patience it required was comforting. She was excited at the mere idea of starting her new garden at her new home.

Richie .

He was the sorest subject of our conversation. Even saying his name was painful for her. Losing my father at twenty-eight would have my heart on the pavement without a possible solution for returning to its rightful place.

So, I couldn’t imagine losing him by twenty-years-old. If felt unfair–to any child. Because, at twenty, that’s exactly what almost everyone was. Children. There was hardly an exception.

Rhea.

She missed her dearly. Her mother’s absence wasn’t as tough as her father’s absence. She could pick up the phone and call or board a plane. With Richie, things weren’t that simple.

Teddy.

Teddy had Rome’s heart. The way her eyes glistened and her breath hiked her chest as she spoke so highly of the man whose ground she worshiped and vice versa. His influence was heavy in Rome’s world.

She cherished every second he spent on earth. And, I’d bet my last dollar she’d rather her life end first so she didn’t have to suffer through the rest of it without him. Their bond was tangible. Touchable. Evident.

And, those sisters.

They were hell on wheels. A bunch of fucking wheels.

I’d be paying my credit card off for the rest of my NBA career after their shopping spree on my dime.

They were in possession of my card for less than an hour and had managed to run up over six figures.

Their audacity was intriguing. It reminded me of the woman on the other end of the phone.

“Baby–”

Although it was barely above a whisper, I heard Rome’s voice call out for me.

She halted my breath completely. I watched as she opened her eyes, still cradled in the fetus position in the bed that was eight times her size.

She looked as lonely as she was. However, she couldn’t bring herself to tell me no when I asked her to keep my bed warm in my absence.

“I’m here, Mellow.”

“Uhhh–” She yawned.

“We’ve been on the phone this entire time?” She asked, genuinely confused.

“Yes, baby.” I chuckled. “We’ve been on the phone this entire time.”

She grimaced. “Is this how teenagers used to end their nights? I’ve heard stories.”

I nodded, confirming. “Yes, baby. This is exactly how teenagers used to end their nights.”

“I guess I won’t be missing out on too much, then, huh?”

“I won’t let you. I promise. But, I’m missing out on you right now and that shit is fucking with my head.”

“Which one, baby?” She asked, finally releasing her arms.

She’s cold . As I made the mental note, I opened the application on my phone that controlled the heating and air conditioning system in my home.

It was one of the few things I could control from my phone, no matter where I was in the world.

I increased my bedroom’s temperature by four degrees, hoping that would help her find comfort.

“Both,” I admitted.

A smile tugged at her lips.

“It feels illegal to be talking to you right now and I haven’t brushed my teeth or even washed my face.”

“I hate to break the news to you but there will be a lifetime of mornings you wake up– just as you are– and I’m right there in your face, ready to talk or stare if you prefer.”

“I knoooooooow,” she groaned. “I’ve been pinching myself every day and this is indeed real. It’s no dream, baby, but it feels like one.”

“And the minute it doesn’t feel like a dream anymore, you let me know. I never want your feet to hit the ground if I can help it.”

“Okay.”

She pressed her face into the pillow and inhaled. Before exhaling, she lifted her pretty face to the camera.

“I’ve been waiting all week to sleep in.”

“I’m glad you were able to rest.”

“Me, too.”

“Now, find something to put on and be ready in thirty minutes. August and Koen are going to take you to the tarmac. You’re going to board the jet with them. And, then, meet me at the address I’m texting you.”

“Saint,” she breathed out, looking around in a panic, “Baby, I don’t have any clothes over here that we haven’t ruined.”

“Which reminds me that I need to take you shopping. But, don’t worry about clothes right now. We’ll handle that when you land. For now, just get on the plane. I’ve called in an emergency from a friend.”

“Thirty minutes,” she repeated, “God, that’s hardly my face routine.”

Rome moved on her own terms. Her own tone. Her own time. She was never in a rush. Moving hastily was next to impossible in her world. Swiftness was too close to chaos in her head.

“Your skincare routine is on your vanity at home. All seven hundred steps of it, love. Wash your pretty face. Tame your pretty hair. Put some shoes on your pretty feet. Clothes on your pretty body. And I’ll see you in a few hours.”

She nodded. “Forty-five minutes.”

I shrugged, “Forty-five minutes, baby. That works for me.”

“The t-shirts,” she yawned, “Where are they?”

“In the first two drawers on the right side of the closet.”

The left side was empty. Had been since I’d purchased the home. It was my loft that was fully furnished. The bed Rome was resting in was my marital home. The one I had every intention of bringing my wife into and having our children running around.

“Okay. See you soon.”

My other end buzzed as she bid me farewell. I pulled my face away from the phone to find Aliza’s number on the screen.

“You trying to get rid of me?” I asked, slightly contradicting myself.

“I have forty-five minutes to get ready in a home I’m only partly familiar with and no clothes of my own to wear. I don’t want to get rid of you, but I have to if I plan to see you.”

“Point made.”

“Besides, Aliza is on your other end. She won’t stop calling until you answer.”

My head tilted in surprise. Baffled, I inquired, “How’d you know Aliza was buzzing my line?”

She’d ended the last call and was calling back.

“Because, I know, Saint.”

“I’m not talking to her, Rome. Well, not in a way that would make you uncomfortable or jeopa–”

“I know.”

“How?”

“Because, I know.”

“That’s not enough.” I chuckled.

“It has to be because that’s all I have. Some things I just know.”

“Some things?” I tittered, “Baby, you know too much. All the time.”

“Maybe you’re right, but we can chat about this later. I have a plane to catch.”

“I–” I paused, stopping myself from saying what was truly on my heart. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay,” she responded.

I stared at the camera, debating if I should confess how deeply and truly consumed I was with Rome or let her be. I decided that the time wasn’t perfect, so waiting would be my best option.

“Later, baby.”

I moved to end the call. Her voice stopped me.

“Saint–” she paused.

“Yes?”

“I love you, too.”

“Rom-”

“You don’t have to say it,” she explained, “Because I feel it. I’ve been feeling it. I don’t let social norms determine or deter those feelings. You shouldn’t either. I knew I loved you the moment I saw your handsome face. I’d known I loved you before then too. The idea of you.

“I was led to believe, during our first encounter, that you were every bit of the man I’d dreamt you to be.

Knowing you were even better did nothing but pull me deeper…

faster. I don’t have any regrets. I just think it’s going to be incredible to admit to our children that love at first sight exists and I’ve experienced it. ”

She ended the call without waiting for a response. I stared at the blank screen, flabbergasted with what had just been revealed.

She loves me, too . I thought. She loves a nigga .

“Fucking right!” I yelled, pumping my fist in the air. “Motherfucking right.”

Aliza’s name on my screen for the third time was a mood shifter. Hearing her voice would only do more damage, so I avoided the call again. There was something to celebrate and it didn’t involve whatever she was calling about.