Page 19 of Cessation
“I have season tickets. Are you going to answer my question?”
I scoffed lightly, dropping my head nervously. Paxton erased all my feelings about Trust whenever he was around. I didn’t like that. It made me feel like I would submit to him without so much as a second thought.
“Uhh, yeah. I am a fan of LeBron. He’s —”
“Fine. Yeah, I’ve heard.” He did a small chuckle and kept a smirk on his face.
Calina hit me on my leg wanting an introduction and I rolled my eyes. She was aggravating but it was good to go ahead and get introductions out the way. I stood and introduced the gang properly.
“Paxton, this is my girlfriend Calina, my son Brendon, and my nephew Terrell. Everyone, this is Paxton. Someone I’m trying to do business with.”
Everyone spoke but Brendon. He just offered him a look. I knew what that was all about, however, disrespecting adults wasn’t something I tolerated.
“Brendon say hi.”
“No need. I get it so don’t even press the issue, Yani.”
I was grateful for his understanding but that wasn’t the kind of child I was raising. “I appreciate that, but disrespect won’t fly this way. Brendon.”
Brendon finally turned around and gave a lazy greeting. “Hi.” Just as soon as the word left his mouth, he was facing forward again with his attention back on the game.
“I’m sorry.” With that I took my seat once more and let the wave of embarrassment cover me.
Brendon loved his father and everything that was happening was too new for him to see me speaking with another man. I already knew that his attitude was because of that. Trust fucked up our family and now I was dealing with the aftermath.
The game went on and I was too embarrassed to even move from my seat. Paxton was supposed to be strictly business, but he was introduced to the personal side of me, and I didn’t know how to take that. I felt like he got a piece of me that was never supposed to be revealed. Not because of my attraction to him but because I was a firm believer on not mixing business with anything other than business.
Having to go to the bathroom was the only thing that made me move. When I stood, I noticed that Paxton was no longer seated behind me. In fact, he wasn’t in the box. I took that as an opportunity to relax a little.
I headed for the bathroom I saw upon arriving to our seats. I rushed inside and relieved my bladder as well as took a minute to get my shit together. I had Paxton running wild in my head while Trust was running loose in my heart. I had too much going on and I just needed a break from it all, which I didn’t know when that would be.
After the game, Brendon was leaving with Lina, and I was heading to the hotel for the first phase of the event this weekend. My matchmaking events were two parts that consisted of casual meet and greets and small activities. You could cancel anyone atany given time, and they wouldn’t be able to converse with you in phase two. Phase one was quite simple and free. I didn’t have much to say during that time.
However, knowing that Paxton would be there kept my nerves on ten. I wanted to stay away from him for my own good, but also ignore any distance that would present itself because of how curious he had me. Oh, and sign the deal all at the same time. It was hard to keep myself from wanting to explore more with him. His cologne had me intrigued while his presence had me magnetized with wanting to be near him so often. I was just in a fucked up position.
I received a text from Calina saying Brendon was looking for me. I released a deep breath, shook off the nerves, and headed back to my seat. Before I could enter the box, I was stopped by someone giving a gentle tug to my elbow. Turning around, I was face-to-face with Paxton for the second time tonight.
“It seems like you have a lot going on. Your eyes are telling a story you want to keep hidden. What’s got you so stressed?”
His words caused me to erupt into tears. I was really trying to suppress the emotions and be strong, but a bitch was really suffering from a heartbreak.
I was immediately pulled into his embrace and coddled. I didn’t care about showing him how emotional I was. I tried to wear a smiling face, but it was becoming harder and harder to put it on. I guess tonight it faded quicker than usual.
“I’m sorry, I…” my sentence went unfinished. I truly didn’t know what to say.
“Are you able to get away Yani? I know you’re here with your son, but you need some fresh air.”
“I can go. Just give me a minute.”
Paxton
Something or someone was causing her pain. The hurt she held in her eyes said she shouldn’t even be around others at the moment. I knew that feeling all too well.
I walked inside behind her and waited by the door. She had to say her goodbyes. Brendon looked at me giving me the mug of the century, but I wasn’t sweating it. He was a kid that probably didn’t want anyone but his pops in his mother’s presence. I knew how that worked.
Yani needed peace of mind, and I could provide that for the night. All she had to do was trust me. It was clear that she needed to remove herself and allow herself to have the secluded time she needed.
Her friend looked my way several times before she nodded. Yani was in good hands. I planned on caring for her as well as helping her with whatever it was she needed.
