by Rae Shawn
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I worked to sit up so I could get out of bed. I reached over and grabbed my phone. 6:49 a.m. I slept in. Shit.
I hopped out of bed, ignoring the pain the best I could, and went to shower. I could use the machine my therapist gave me for home treatment later. I wanted a way to get out of her office to be able to focus on my own business I’d been working to start.
She told me the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine – designed to treat the pain through a series of electric pulses – would help. If I didn’t maintain it correctly, then I’d end up needing to go back to in-person therapy. While nerve and muscle discomfort weren’t my only issue, I promised I’d do what she told me to do because the last thing I wanted was to be a patient again.
She gave me exercises and a diet that I also had to maintain and up until today, I was doing fine. Waking up late and needing to get to the office for my 7:45 a.m. meeting would result in the first TENS treatment I’d missed since starting the regimen.
I’d make sure to do everything else so hopefully I didn’t regret skipping this morning session due to lack of time. This was what I got for thinking I had all this running business stuff down to a T.
Barely two months of actual work in the realm of being a business owner passed, having officially opened the doors a few weeks ago. I had plenty I still needed to wrap my head around, which apparently included better sleep management.
I knew I'd be in pain a good portion of the day because my therapist’s said to use the TENS once in the morning and once at night to combat the nerve damage and muscle pain from the year and a half old injury.
After one of the quickest showers I'd taken in a while, which consisted of brushing my teeth and washing my face, I looked at the TENS, contemplating a quick session, but knew it wouldn't help and I didn't have the time.
I threw on a pair of black slacks, a three-button polo shirt and dress shoes before grabbing my wallet, watch and keys and heading out the door. I kept a jacket in my car, so I was fine not grabbing one. Even though I was the boss, I hated to be late to something I scheduled. Especially when it came to necessities for my business.
On the wings of an angel himself, I pulled into my parking spot with seven minutes to spare. Getting out of the car proved to be slightly difficult, though. The regret of oversleeping already kicking me in the gut. I couldn't even explain what had me so tired. I didn’t do anything the night before besides review paperwork and watch a basketball game.
I shook it off, there was business to take care of. This meeting ensured I knew everything I needed about the top-of-the-line equipment going on the market later in the year, so I could make an informed choice regarding what I needed for my facility.
As expected, the vendor and his team were in the small conference room along with two of my occupational therapists, one trainer and my office manager. I studied and could be an athletic trainer if I so chose, but my time was by request only , otherwise I oversaw the day-to-day operations.
Luckily, the meeting didn't run long and everything presented was reasonably affordable and would be of great assistance in the lives of many athletes during their recovery.
The thought to open this place came after I suffered a hit on the field that ended my career. I was a quarterback and a damn good one, but on a risky play, the d-line read me like a book and in my attempt to backpedal out of a defensive back’s pressure and around the collapsing pocket, my leg got caught in the crossfire.
I was out for six months, then went through a half of a year of rehabilitation. The urge to play disappeared. I’d suffered concussions and bruised bones too many times in my short career. My focus was on my future. I wanted to start a family that didn’t revolve around the sport I played.
So, after opening up my own sports rehab facility, thanks to the great therapists I worked with, I made a conscious choice to find the one I wanted to settle down with. When the meeting concluded I prepared to meet with one of the newest additions to the facility.
"Hey Rocket." A voice sounded behind me.
"Nobody calls me that anymore," I smiled and pulled a former teammate in for a half hug. I looked down to see the wrap around his knee. "How's the leg healing up?"
"Oh man, it's going good. About to head back there for this appointment and work my way back to the field," He clapped his hands together before rubbing them against each other. "So, dawg, when you gonna come out of retirement? We need our Rocket back."
"I told y'all last time, I'm done with all these games and stuff. That fracture fucked me up. I'm good on playing, but I'll always watch and be at the home games. I'm not the Rocket no more, Brent."
Brent was a wide receiver on the team I used to play for. One of the people I often targeted because the boy could catch a ball and juke a lineman like nobody's business.
"Alright, alright. I'm just saying. We miss you, T. But stay safe out here and thanks again for looking out for us by opening up shop."
I hugged him once more and nodded. "You know y'all my boys. Gotta make sure I take care of my own. I'm actually heading out though. Heal up good, homie."
I turned to leave. I promised my newest employee her onboarding brunch. Meeting her wasn’t the best option though, I needed to go to her house and make sure she was actually ready.
When I made it to her place, I noticed a car I’d never seen before in the driveway. A glance at my phone told me she likely still needed to get ready, but with company here, maybe she already was.
I squeezed my leg, trying to dull the achy pain, then hopped up and walked over to her front door. When I knocked, I heard a person inside say, "Someone's at your door, Nae."
I swear off the field this woman could make you want to shake her, but when it came to work, she was great. Maybe this was why people didn’t usually hire folks they considered friends.
I waited for her to answer the door, so I could kindly remind her that we had a brunch to get to, but the face that greeted me wasn’t one I ever expected to see again.
She froze in place and stared, her eyes slowly roaming over me before she snapped to her senses again. I remembered her looking at me like that in the past. It made my balls tighten even after all these years.
She licked her lips and stepped further inside so I could enter. I smirked and watched her carefully, not getting a chance to say anything before she walked off toward the kitchen with me trailing behind her like a loyal dog.
“Umm, your guest is here ... I guess.” She said as she walked over to a little girl who was attempting to eat yogurt from a cup. I’d stopped in the living room, not sure how far I should follow her.
D’Nae looked through the opening in the breakfast nook and I saw her smile after I tore my gaze from Jada's backside.
“Mel,” D'Nae exclaimed. “Glad you could make it. I’ll be ready in a few minutes. My sister surprised me. I need to grab a few things and I’ll be ready to jet.”
I caught Jada's eyes and fought to hide the desire burning behind my smile. Wait, did she say sister? Fuck, that'll definitely complicate things. I'd have to explain the situation before she thought something of it.
I saw her confused eyes form a hard stare and I knew I needed to say something and say it quick. I walked from the living room into the kitchen and got a better look at the adorable little girl sitting where Jada knelt to clean yogurt from the floor.
I intended to get down there to help her, even though my leg was hurting, but D'Nae spoke before I could.
“Oh, let me introduce y’all,” she said, and I shifted my attention back to her. “JJ, that’s Tra’Mel-”
“Tra’Mel Mikal Denzel. Former San Francisco QB.” Jada said glaring at me.
I fought smirking, it wouldn't help. I knew she was angry about what happened between us, but her anger always made her sexier. I definitely needed to figure out how to explain, not that it would make a difference, but I could at least try to clean the slate.
“I thought you weren’t into footba
ll anymore.” D’Nae eyed Jada.
“I’m not, but Raiden watched Houston religiously,” Jada said. “I’ve seen them play San Francisco a few times. Plus, pops used to talk about him all the time when he first got drafted, remember?”
Raiden? There’s a man in her life. Well, that put a kink in any chances of any reconciliation. I fought to keep my face straight as I looked at her.
“Well, Mel, this is my sister Jada-” D’Nae started again.
“Jada Jean’e Lorenzo.” I said and Jada caught herself before she took a step toward me. She was still kneeling down, but I saw the motion, I'd gotten used to reading body language because of football.
I took the two steps toward her and held out my hand, hiding a grin. It appeared she didn't want her sister to know we knew each other. Didn't mean I couldn't remind her I indeed knew her – quite well in fact.
“She’s a pretty prolific sculptor and painter based out of Houston," I said. “I’ve bought a few pieces from her, even had one commissioned.”
The look on her face showed she wasn't aware I'd purchased anything from her. Even though I didn't think I'd ever see her again, when I heard she'd became a painter, I had to support her. Her work was as beautiful as she was. She stared at me and I shrugged gingerly, making her eyes squint.
“So y’all know each other because of your professions?” D’Nae sounded skeptical.
“And then some.” I kept my eyes focused on hers. She flinched. I wished I knew what she was thinking, maybe I still had an in. I'd need to ask a couple of questions to divulge who this Raiden person was.
“Who’s this little cutie?” I asked the safe question first. “Babysitting? Niece? Neighbor?”
“My daughter.”
My eyes grew wide. Fuck. She had a child and a man. She was definitely off limits. Just then a sound came from behind me and I saw a friend of mine. Before anyone could speak, Jada picked up her daughter, stormed past me and grabbed his hand as she practically ran to the door.
“We’ve got to run,” She called over her shoulder. Demontré looked at me confused and shook his head as they disappeared out the front door.
"Umm, what the hell just happened?" I asked more to myself than anything else.
"Not a clue," D'Nae said. "But, really. How do you know my sister?"
"We went to the same school, Nae. Had a few classes with her. Saw her around." I said as I turned around to go back in the living room. "Now, finish getting ready. Food is waiting. Ya boy is hungry."
"I just need to grab my coat and a few things so I can go to the office after," she said walking past me. "But I do have one more question."
I sighed, looking at the back of her head. She wasn't about to let it go and I really didn't want to have this conversation. Not because it was a secret, but because I saw how uncomfortable Jada got when I made it clear we knew each other.
We walked into the living room and she turned around once more. One eyebrow raised and her eyes shifting across my face.
"Why are both of y'all lying?" She asked.
"What exactly do you believe we are lying about?"
"Did you fuck my sister?" Her arms folded over her chest and she planted her body in a way to show some type of dominance.
I haven't lied to her, but I'm not detailing my relationship either. If Jada wanted her to know, she would tell her. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"She's my sister."
"You know what, we can reschedule your onboarding brunch. I'm not having this conversation. Talk to Jada.”
"Mel." She exclaimed as I headed toward the door.
"D'Nae. I'm not talking about her,” I opened the door. "See you at work. Your training session is at 2 p.m."
Just before I reached my car, I heard her footsteps approaching behind me. I stopped on the curb and turned back to her.
"I'd like to have my onboarding brunch today." She said.
"It would be better to reschedule it. I'll email you after I've taken a look at my calendar."
"You really gonna act like we not cool? Cut this shit out, Mel."
"We cool, Nae. I'm just not having this conversation."
"Then why can't we still go to brunch?"
"Because, I know you'll bring it up again and, while we're cool, I'm also your boss now. I would rather not speak about your sister without her being a part of the conversation, and seeing as though she stormed out of here, she didn't want to talk about it," I turned back to the car. "I gotta go."
"Mel," I reached the door, then looked over the car’s hood at her. "I'm sorry."
I shrugged. "It's cool. See you at work later."
I got in and drove off while she stood at the curb staring after me. I needed to talk to Jada, if not for anything more than a proper apology. I just didn't know how to find her.
3
Jada
To say Tra’Mel’s shock over the fact that I had a daughter showed on his face would be an understatement. His eyes bulged wider than I’d ever seen them and I knew him well enough to know the different faces he made.
The car ride was mostly silent, but as I expected, we barely made it to the house before Demontré asked what happened.
“The guy in Nae’s place isn’t someone I want to see.” I didn’t explain it further, and he didn’t press, but I knew he’d bring it up again later. Best friends were annoying that way.
Demontré dropped us off, then went to meet with a client, which helped me out. I could cook something for lunch before taking Jaiden exploring around the neighborhood.
She enjoyed going for walks. The only problem, she wanted to eat out then take her walk. How very diva princess of me to have spoiled a two-year-old this much.
Even though I would’ve rather stayed in to eat, I thought it better to see the city. If I left myself to my own thoughts in the privacy of this home, I might lose a bit of my mind.
I didn't want to think about my run in with Tra'Mel or the feelings that stirred the moment I laid my eyes on him.
So, since Jaiden and I had standing lunch dates at least twice a month, I figured taking her out to a local restaurant was a good idea. The problem with moving somewhere new though, you didn’t know what was good, so I needed to do some research.
I felt it important to support small businesses rather than feed into big box chains. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was in a way a small business owner by being a painter and sculptor who didn’t associate directly with a gallery.
Jaiden was in the living room playing with a few of her dolls as I sat at the dining table to peruse listings of restaurants within a reasonable walking distance.
I found a few, but didn’t know which one I had the most interest in giving a try. I spotted Demontré’s stack of take-out menus in the corner and a place called Dark Dragon piqued my interest, mainly because it was on the short list of places that I considered giving a try.
What really sold me on the restaurant was the heart-healthy, family-fun options. Both of my mom’s parents and my dad’s brother had heart issues, so I’d always been cautious with what we ate and how often we went in for our annual checkups. I’m getting to the age where my aunt died of a heart attack and no one quite understood how someone in her 30s could die so suddenly.
“How does elephant-shaped grilled chicken and mac ’n’ cheese sound, mamas?”
“Yummy, mommy. I want mac um cheese.” Jaiden said. I smiled at her and nodded.
“Dark Dragon it is.”
I grabbed some hair supplies from the bathroom and sat her on my lap in the bedroom. I pulled her loose curls into a ponytail and put a ribbon around her head. Don’t ask me how, but she managed to get cheese in her hair no matter what I did to prevent it.
Since I knew it would end up all over her anyway, I put her in a yellow sundress and some sandals. Her little jean jacket matched the ribbon in her hair and the ponytail sat in a wild semi-poof behind her head.
She no longer smelled or looked like yogurt splat, s
o I took a quick moment to change my own clothes. I tossed on a skater dress and a pair of Chucks, then we headed the several blocks down the street to get food in our bellies. Our standing tradition of weekend lunch dates added a Thursday due to special circumstances but it felt like a good change.
After the host showed us to our table and a plump waitress, no more than 20, took our order, I started helping Jaiden color her menu. We were near the exit to the patio. I felt it a good spot given how I could keep my eye on both exit points and could look at the cute bartender.
I knew I was fresh out of a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I missed Raiden sometimes, and we had this “admire but don’t transpire” rule – which only I seemed to take seriously, but I digress.
The bartender had a dust of gray at the sides of his head, which made him all the more attractive to look at, but I knew he had a few more miles on him than I usually went for.
“Well, I guess we’re gonna keep running into each other aren’t we?”
His damn sultry voice invaded my thoughts after I’d done so well since seeing him earlier. I had to be dreaming because this city covered nearly 47 square miles. No way I should run into him again so soon.
“Oh, you’re big mad aren’t you?” he asked and I realized he physically stood in front of me, not in my mind. “Or are you thinking about ... better times?”
I realized my attention rested on his crotch, which sat just below eye-level. I snapped my eyes to his face, and he had that damn sexy smirk playing on his lips.
That panty-wetting look which probably got him more action than he cared to share and I cared to know. I forced a tight-lipped smile.
“Didn’t you have plans with my sister?”
He took it upon himself to slide into the other side of our booth. I cocked my head at him and his little shrug made another appearance.
I took a deep breath so I wouldn’t cuss him out in front of my daughter, but I knew he knew what I was thinking. The waitress stopped at his side.