Draft pick season i, p.2
Draft Pick Season I, page 2
“And Third, I’m not out here by myself. Did you forget that Ulysses and Braxton live in Vegas?”
“Pssh! You know I don’t count Ulysses and Braxton. You probably don’t even hear from those two until it’s close to a holiday and they want you to cook.”
Alyssa couldn’t dispute her statement since that’s exactly when she heard from her two older cousins. Perpetual daters, neither was married and when the holidays rolled around, they either flew back to Georgia or called her to see what her plans were.
“Since when don’t you follow football? I had as much trouble prying you away from the television for Sunday dinner as I did your father and the boys.”
“I haven’t been that into it in a while, Ma.” Why did she keep piling on the lies? Alyssa had no answer for her sudden aversion to the truth.
“Mhmm. If you say so.” It didn’t sound as if her mother was buying it. “Back to Carver, I don’t think we’re remembering the same thing. He was always so nice to you. He talked like y’all were friends whenever we came up to see you at school.”
“Mama, that was almost fifteen years ago. A lot can change in that time. Besides, I haven’t seen him in a really long time. Why would you think we were friends?”
“Whenever your father brings him up, you always seem to know what’s going on. I figured the two of you stayed in touch even after you and Mary Beth fell out. You know, I never liked that girl.”
“Mama…”
Alyssa had no desire to go down memory lane about her former friend. Not simply because she didn’t have the time, but her mother couldn’t seem to stop once she got going on all the ways Mary Beth let Alyssa know they weren’t really friends long before Alyssa cut her off.
“Don’t Mama me.”
“Mama, remember you said you weren’t going to hold me long? I need to finish getting dressed.” Attempting to thwart a possible lecture, Alyssa reminded her mother about the earlier promise.
“Mhmm. Fine. I’ll just tell your daddy you didn’t know about Carver, and that’s why you didn’t say anything.” Once again, her mother spoke with the tone of disbelief.
“Okay, Mama. You have a good night. I’ll call you in a few days.” Relief washed over Alyssa when she realized she’d secured a slight victory. This time.
“Okay, baby. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mama. Tell Daddy, I said hey and I love him.”
Sighing at her good fortune, Alyssa finished with her date prep. She and Torrence were meeting at one of the casino restaurants at the edge of the Vegas strip. If she didn’t get a move on, she’d be late.
She’d never tell her mother, but her level of affection toward Torrence was mediocre. While they had stimulating conversations, there was something holding her back from really seeing things with him moving beyond where they were.
It wasn’t physical even though he wasn’t the body type she normally went for. Since she found intelligence sexy, she didn’t hold his slighter, lanky form against him. When they were together, they were a walking stereotype as one of her thighs was easily larger than both of his put together.
The thing about skinny men being attracted to plus sized women was in full effect. Putting the optics aside, he simply didn’t make her stomach flip nor her nethers clench. Like ever. The few times they’d been together sexually had been pleasant but nothing to write home about.
Truth be told, she knew her days of entertaining Torrence were numbered. They’d refrained from saying what they had was an exclusive relationship, but they were approaching the six-month mark. It was time to step up or move on. Sadly, she didn’t think it would hurt her feelings a bit if he were to break things off.
Apathy was never a good sign when considering a relationship with someone. Alyssa honestly wasn’t sure if she was continuing to see him to prove something to herself or not. Most of her dating eligible life, she seemed to find herself enamored with someone who either didn’t acknowledge her existence or only wanted to be friends with benefits. Both situations stung and didn’t make the practice very appealing.
With Torrence, they seemed compatible in so many other ways. So what if he didn’t make her heart race or her skin tingle. That type of passion fades over time. If she was to be with someone, it shouldn’t be based solely on physical attraction.
Still, she knew the lack of passion wasn’t an attractive prospect when considering tethering oneself to another person. Heaving a resigned sigh, she gathered her purse and keys before walking out of her townhouse.
Alyssa walked through the archway past the bistro tables sitting just outside the entrance to Wolfgang Puck’s Lupo restaurant in the Mandalay Bay Casino. As far as casino restaurants went, she enjoyed eating here. The prices weren’t so outrageous that she’d only delegate it for special occasions. Still, she wasn’t inclined to shell out a hundred bucks on one meal very often. So, her visits weren’t frequent.
After giving the hostess her name, she was led to a table just off the bar area where Torrence was already seated. Standing as she approached, he pressed a kiss to her cheek and pulled out her chair. While she didn’t shrink away from his touch, she didn’t lean in to it either.
“You look nice.”
His eyes swept over her, examining her from her feet clad in peep toe pumps to the modest vee neck of her dress showing off the tops of her cleavage. She looked better than nice. The dress hugged her curves in all the best ways. Rather than correct him, she replied with a soft thank you as she took a seat in the chair he held out for her. Say what you will about Torrence, he played the gentleman thing to a T. Most of the time.
As she picked up the menu, he informed her that he’d already taken the liberty of ordering an appetizer.
“I didn’t order your meal though. I know how you like do that yourself.”
On the surface, his words appeared polite, but there was an edge to his tone as if he took offense to her having her own mind and ordering what she’d like to eat and not always yielding to what he wanted.
“Thank you.” Alyssa replied as she opened the menu perusing it even though she was almost certain she would have the salmon. The question was really if she would pair it with the suggested wine or stick with water.
Their server approached the table just as she opted to forego the wine. Placing the Ciabatta bread appetizer at the center of the table, he pulled out the small folio flipping it open.
“Good evening. Have we decided what we’re having tonight?”
“I have. Are you ready, Alyssa?”
Torrence hadn’t even opened the menu before him. She figured he’d gotten there far ahead of their agreed upon time if he’d already made his selection. She hadn’t arrived early, but she wasn’t late either.
“I’m ready.” Both men looked at her expectantly, so she lifted the menu once again. “I’ll have the Scottish Salmon cooked medium please.”
“Yes, ma’am. Would you care for a glass of wine with that? We have an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon that pairs quite well with the Salmon.”
Torrence shifted in his seat and cleared his throat at the waiter’s suggestion to add wine. He wasn’t a fan of wine, but she didn’t think his shifting was related to the drink itself. Thinking of the drive home and her potentially full stomach, Alyssa declined the offer with a smile.
“No, thank you. I’ll stick with water for the time being.”
“Yes, ma’am. And you, sir?”
“I’ll have the ravioli. No wine for me either.”
“Very good. I’ll get this order in for you. Again, my name is Adrian. Please let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Adrian.” Alyssa murmured as she passed him the menu.
After dating for the past few months, she’d noticed a pattern with Torrence. She really wished she hadn’t but, it came with the territory of how her brain worked. Especially considering some life lessons she’d learned the hard way.
They went to nice places when they ate out. However, he tended to order the least expensive item on the menu. From everything he’d told her, he earned an excellent living at the accounting firm where he worked. He’d even mentioned that he was in consideration for partner. Which was admirable since he hadn’t reached forty and had only been with the firm for five years.
She tried to shrug it off as him being frugal. Given his profession, that wasn’t too far-fetched. Although she couldn’t quite balance that against the times she invited him out and his tastes leaned toward more expensive menu items. His selections didn’t bother her in regards to her ability to pay. Paying wasn’t an issue.
The pattern was even more apparent tonight for some reason. Maybe it was because she was already on the verge of telling him to kick rocks. Considering the dating horror stories she heard from her girlfriends, her experiences with Torrence weren’t anything to complain about. Still….
Their conversation over dinner was polite, but not overly stimulating. Movement at the bar caught Alyssa’s attention, but she quickly returned her focus to what Torrence was saying.
“I can’t find my wallet.” His hands roamed his slender frame patting the pockets of his pants then reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket.
“Oh. Do you think you dropped it, or left it at home?” Concern wrinkled Alyssa’s brow.
“No, I don’t think I left it home, maybe I dropped it. But, I don’t remember pulling it out since I’ve been here.”
“Okay. Where’s the last place you remember having it?”
Essentially done with her meal, Alyssa placed her knife and fork on her plate. Pushing it away, she gave him her full attention.
“I remember picking it up as I walked out of my apartment. I could have sworn I put it in my back pocket, but it’s not there.”
“Oh. Well maybe it fell out in your car. We can get the check and go look.” Alyssa suggested.
“Get the check? Didn’t I just say I couldn’t find my wallet? How do you expect me to pay with no wallet? You know I don’t trust those apps on the cellphone.”
His voice was harsh and his dusky brown skin held a reddish undertone that hadn’t been present moments before. He was freaking out, but that was no excuse for him to take it out on her.
Before she could respond to his outburst he sat back in his seat. His body language in complete contrast to what it was only seconds before. What in the entire hell?
“What am I worried about? You’ve got me right? You shouldn’t have any trouble forking over a hundred bucks on one meal. I do it every time I take you out. It won’t hurt you to do it for a change.”
Sitting there in his chair, his entire body relaxed. The smile on his face could only be described as smug. His demeanor set off warning bells in Alyssa’s head. If she was reading the situation correctly, and she was positive she was, this was a test of some sort.
This was the part of dating she hated. The need some people had to test their potential mate, instead of coming straight out and communicating about what was bugging them, irked her. Heaven forbid they behave like adults and discuss the issues that bothered them.
Warmth crept up Alyssa’s neck once the realization set in. They didn’t even have a real relationship and he had the audacity to try to test her. To what end? To see if she was a Gold-digger? Refusing to play his game, she asked him.
“Torrence, did you really lose your wallet, or is this some type of test?”
“Why would you say something like that? Because I asked you to pay for a change?” Far from trying to keep their conversation between the two of them, he raised his voice above the conversational hum of the restaurant.
“First of all, there’s no reason for you to get loud with me. It was a simple question. I told you in the beginning, I don’t do games. I’m not about that life. Secondly, if you’re nothing else, you’re meticulous. There’s no way you would be here without your wallet, unless you planned to put on an act to see if I’m only interested in you for your money.”
“Well, are you?” He shot back immediately. Leaning forward, he put his elbows on the table.
“The fuck?” Alyssa’s brow crinkled. Keeping her voice even, she decided to enlighten him on a few things.
“Torrence, I’m not sure what gave you the impression that I need your little check from being a drone at an accounting firm. I don’t. Just because I don’t brag about my ability to provide the way you do, doesn’t mean I can’t provide. It simply means I don’t feel the need to broadcast it. I have nothing to prove to you or anyone else.”
“I didn’t say you had anything to prove. All I said was I pay all the time. I don’t see why you can’t pay this time.”
“You asked me out. I didn’t ask you. When I ask you, I pay. If you had a problem with that set up, you could’ve said something instead of pretending to lose your wallet to see what I would do. And in case you didn’t notice, I was offering to pay. Then, I was going to help you look for the wallet that’s probably in your damn pocket.”
Pushing back from the table, Alyssa tossed the cloth napkin on her empty plate and swept her gaze over the room looking for their server. Catching Adrian’s eye, she lifted a hand to call him over.
“What are you doing?” Torrence asked as if it weren’t obvious. Ignoring him, she waited until Adrian stood next to the table.
“Yes, ma’am. Would you care for dessert or an after-dinner drink?”
“No. Thank you. Could you bring the check for the meal I ordered?”
If Adrian was shocked by her request, he covered it well as he immediately walked away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Now, it seemed Torrence had learned volume control as he lowly growled his question.
“I’m giving you what you want. I’m paying for my meal, so you don’t have to.” Cool, dark amber, eyes regarded him as understanding filtered into his mind. He’d gambled. And lost.
“I didn’t say you had to pay. Stop being a bitch.”
Adrian chose that moment to reappear. Having already removed her wallet, Alyssa barely glanced at the receipt in the folio before placing three crisp twenty-dollar bills inside and passing it back.
“Keep the change.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Adrian accepted payment and placed another folio in front of Torrence. “Whenever you’re ready, sir.” With that said, he quietly backed away.
Before he made it more than three steps, Alyssa was on her feet slinging her purse on her shoulder. Pushing her vacated chair to the table she glared at Torrence.
“I think it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. We’re done.”
“Done? You’re acting like you were doing me some type of favor. You’re lucky I even bothered.”
Torrence was spoiling for a fight. Alyssa didn’t care enough about him to give him any more of her energy. Shooting him a withering glance, she spun on her heel to leave and ran smack into a wall of man.
Chapter Two
GET OUT OF THE CAR ALYSSA
Carver’s arms wrapped around Alyssa’s soft body to steady her when she literally bounced off his chest. Assessing her strained visage, he reluctantly put some space between them.
“Are you okay? Is this guy bothering you?”
He wouldn’t pretend he hadn’t overheard the conversation between her and the guy she was intent on walking away from. He’d only caught a few words, but they were enough.
“I’m fine, Carver.” If she was surprised to see him, she didn’t let on. Pushing at his chest, she silently requested more room. As much as he wanted to deny her wish, he allowed it.
“Holy shit! You’re Carver Jamieson.”
No matter how many times it happened, he’d never understand why people felt the need to tell him who he was. He knew his own name. Years of experience allowed him to squash the outward appearance of annoyance.
Flicking his eyes to the obnoxious man behaving as if he wasn’t being a complete ass to Alyssa just moments before, Carver blatantly disregarded his statement. Ducking his head, he peered into her face trying to capture her eyes.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Rubbing her bare arms, she looked over her shoulder at her date. Or whoever he was. Tipping her chin up, she gifted Carver with a slight smile.
“Yeah. I’m good. Thank you.”
“If you’re good, why does your face look the way it did that time Professor Thigpen accused you of cheating?”
“It’s nothing, Carver. Don’t worry about it.”
Her soft hand landed on his bare forearm sending a jolt to his system. He hadn’t felt those hands on any part of his body in at least ten years.
“Don’t lie to me, Bit.” Slipping easily into the nickname he’d given her all those years ago, his gaze left her face to stare at her companion who now stood directly behind her.
“Yo, man. I’ve watched you play for years. Since your days at Tech. You’re a living legend. Would you be cool with snapping a pic with me? My dad will never believe I met you not two days after they announced you’d joined the Ravagers. This is so cool.”
The guy’s lanky body practically vibrated with excitement. Had Carver not heard him being a such an asshole to Alyssa, he might have taken the pic and possibly even told him to call his dad on video chat. The problem is, he’d heard every venomous word the otherwise mild-mannered looking guy had said to her.
Heard it and didn’t appreciate it. Moving Alyssa until she stood behind him, he ignored the pleading in her dark amber stare. He wasn’t going to let it go. She should know that. He hadn’t changed that much over the years.
“What’s your name?” Carver asked, lulling the star-struck man into believing he would get exactly what he’d asked for. And he would. Just not the part where Carver would take a picture. The request his behavior and treatment of Alyssa made on his behalf.
“Torrence. Torrence Phillips.”
Carver looked down at the hand extended to him, but didn’t make a move to shake it. Instead, he folded his arms across his chest. While the move probably made him appear imposing, it was the only way he could keep himself from smacking the guy’s hand away. Dude was either so star-struck that he couldn’t pick up context clues, completely oblivious or such an asshole that he considered what Carver witnessed to be something easily brushed to the side.
