Aubrey POV
Solána has been avoiding me since the day at the beach. It's been a week. She still visits my mom but would ignore me. I just don't get it, I get that she's with someone but I don't think that's what's holding her back. I bought a new house and we've moved everything in two days ago . My mom is excited since it's on the water. She asked if I could buy a boat as well. I couldn't help but laugh and agree to buy her a boat.
" My mom is loving this shit, already..." I said to Chubbs as we both watched her. She was sitting on the patio, looking out at the water.
" This is what she needed..."
" You're right..." Chubbs glanced at me.
" Wassup with you?"
" Solána...."
" She's still avoiding you?" I walked into the kitchen to grab a drink.
" Yea, this shit is getting to me." I went through my phone to see that I had interviews set for this week. News broke that I moved back to Miami and now there's talk of me being traded.
" Just give her some space, nigga! You show up after years and immediately want to try again with her." I sat there in my thoughts.
" I need to find out who this nigga is that she's with."
" Man, leave that shit, alone! Focus on your mom and getting yourself better! That's something you don't need right now. Plus I'm not trying to catch a charge for helping your ass fight a nigga! All due to your feelings being hurt!"
" My feelings aren't hurt," I mumbled.
" Yea..... ok. Are we still going to this game, later?" I looked up. Shit, I forgot about the young bulls games. I missed the one yesterday.
" Uhh, yea. We can go. I don't have anything else to do. I'll just let the nurse know we'll be gone. Plus I'm sure my aunt will be here with my mom too." He nods while typing on his phone. I'm sure he was texting Naomi. It's crazy how they reconnected but I can't even have a decent conversation with Solána. Shit now she's back on my mind.
" There you go again..." I looked up confused.
"What?"
" Off in Solána land, again."
" I'm not thinking about her. I'm thinking about these interviews."
" Yea, honestly I would only do the ESPN one but it's up to you." I nod and continued to think about Solána. I grabbed my phone again and sent her a text.
Me: I'm sorry....
" I'll do ESPN, call and set up a time for me." He nods and walks off. I looked down at my phone seeing that Solána was typing.
Solána🌍❤️💕: We'll talk, Aubrey...
Well, that might be a good sign. I was debating whether to text her back but I decided not to. I didn't want to do anything that might irritate her. I got up just as my Aunt walked in.
" Aubrey this place is beautiful! Your mother will love it here! Where is she?"
" On the patio. I'll be gone for the rest of the afternoon are you staying?"
"That's fine! I'll be here. Oh and Aubrey, I saw your father yesterday! He asked about you. I didn't say anything about you but I'm sure he'll be contacting you soon." I shook my head.
" I'm sure he found out that I moved. It's all over social media." She nods and walks out to my mom.
" Aight so Monday and 11 am with ESPN. They'll come here." Chubbs says as I began to walk to the elevator. I definitely need this elevator for times like now. My knee is killing me but I'm trying not to depend on the Vicodin.
(Basketball Game)
" Damn it's packed as fuck in here!" Chubbs says while we walked through the crowd. We ended up at the end. I had my hood over my head so that I wouldn't be recognized. I knew that someone would recognize me though. My two bodyguards were here but kept a distance to not bring attention to me. I watched as the team with Malik and Jaylen practiced. I could tell that both of them were the stars of the team. Malik had my number, 11. This kid is definitely a big fan.
" They even got your sneakers, my guy! You're a hometown hero in their eyes." Chubbs says. I guess I was. I gave back to my community all time but I never showed up for anything. That's going to change.
The game started. Jaylen and Malik were already stealing the show. Damn these youngins are good. Especially for some 12 and 13 years olds. Malik made a three and did the same hand signal I gave while getting back on defense.
" Bruh, lil nigga could probably beat me." Chubbs laughed as the crowd cheered. Jaylen must have noticed me and said something to Malik. Both of them looked my way while there was a timeout. I nodded to them. They nodded back and focused on whatever the coach was saying.
This game was one of the best games I've seen for this age group. I'm definitely going to try and get Malik and Jaylen on my travel team that I sponsor. They would definitely make the team. That's if they're able to. The game was over and the score was 72 to 46. Jaylen and Malik had the most points of course. Chubbs and I stood off to the side where there weren't many people. I notice two youngins running toward me.
" Woah, you made it!" Malik says while he and Jaylen dapped Chubbs and me up.
" Man, y'all played like some 15, 16, 17 years olds out there! You two are the truth!"
" Thanks, Drake! That's what happens when you play with the older crews." Malik says. Jaylen looked at his phone.
" Man! I have to go! Thanks for coming y'all! Leek, I'll see you, tomorrow bro!" They dap and he runs off.
" Y'all play in any other leagues?" I asked.
" He does, but I just play for this team. I can't make all the games for that league. I'm not allowed to go that far by myself."
" Your parents don't bring you to the games?" I asked.
" Yea my mom does but she works a lot and can't always take me. I'm not allowed to ride the bus, yet." He puts his hood over his head.
" I get you! What made you pick that jersey number?" I smirked.
" Maaaaan! You! Plus I was born on November 11th."
"That's cool! Wear that shit proudly! Hopefully, I'm still playing when you make it to the league." I joked. Shit the way my knee is set up, I won't. Malik looked around.
" I guess I better go! My mom is around here somewhere." He looked at his phone and started texting. We all started walking out. A couple of people noticed me and asked for autographs and pictures.
" Aight my mom is in the car, I'll catch you later, and thanks again for signing my jerseys!" I nodded as we dapped and he ran off. I kept my eye on him as I signed a few autographs. He got into a car and they took off.
" Drake! You're the best man!" I heard someone yell.
" Thanks." My phone went off just as my bodyguards walked us to my truck. It was a text.
Solána🌍❤️💕: Are you home? I want to stop by and talk.....
Me: I'm on my way....
Solána🌍❤️💕: Ok...
" Yo, Solána's coming over, just drop me off," I said to Chubbs.
" Aight."
(Back Home)
" Hey, sorry if you were waiting long, I just came back from a basketball game," I said while sitting down next to her.
" I just got here. You were playing?" She asked confused.
" Oh, Nah! Just watching some youngins play! They're nice as hell."
" Oh..." She turned away from me.
" So what did you want to talk about?" I asked. I eyed her while she sat here in thought.
" Well, I want to try and be friends with you." I smiled and nodded.
" Ok, I like that." I grabbed her hand and kissed it.
" I'm sure you do." I laughed and looked at my phone to check the time.
" So is it cool if I take my friend out to dinner?" She gave me a little smile.
"Tonight?"
" Yea... it's a nice night out and it's still somewhat early." She looked down at what she was wearing.
" Aubrey, I'm in leggings and this top. I'm not dressed for dinner."
" You look fine. Look at me, I'm not dressed up." She eyed me and smiled.
" You're dressed better than me. I can't have that." I laughed.
" You look good, baby! Come on..." She gave me a look and stood up.
" We're friends! Don't call me baby."
" Aight, my bad! Solána...." I smirked she grabbed my hand and tried to pull me up. I stood up and wrapped my arms around her. I felt her tense up.
" I'm only hugging my friend." She laughed and slapped my arm.
" Let's go! Don't take me to no fancy restaurant, Aub. I'm good with a sub or some pizza."
" Oh, that's what you're on? Ok, we can do that! I'll take you somewhere fancy on our next dinner outing.... As friends." She gave me a look before walking toward my mom who was in the kitchen. I watched her interact with my mom and aunt. I couldn't help but smile.
(Downtown Miami)
" You sure you don't need your bodyguards?" I glanced over at her and smirked.
" Nah, I got you! We're good though." We walked across the street to a little sub shop that had the best subs. It's not Philly but it's the best down here.
We stood in line waiting for our order to be taken. I put my hood over my head and stood a little closer to Solána. She turned to me and laughed when she noticed my hood on.
" You want the cheesesteak with provolone, everything on it, and the fries, right?" She asked. I smiled.
" Yea." She ordered for us and I paid. They gave us a number and we took a seat in the corner booth. There were a lot of people in here but most were getting their food to go.
" So other than saving lives what has Solána been up to?" She didn't respond right away. I watched as she looked down.
" Uh, saving lives... Nothing is exciting about me, these days. I'm pretty boring. I spent most of the years you were gone in school." She shrugs.
" Why didn't you leave Miami?"
" I couldn't." She said quickly. Her phone went off. She had it sitting on the table because she didn't bring a purse. All she had with her was her license, credit card, and phone. I looked at her phone and saw My Love❤️, again. She looked up at me as if she was asking if she could answer.
" Go ahead..." She answered.
" Hello?....... Yes, Love, I'll be home soon.... I'm out with a friend..... Yes.... Oh really?" I continue led to listen to this one-sided conversation until our food came.
" Ok, my food is here. I'm hungry... Ok, I love you.... Bye....." She looked at me but I turned my attention back to the food. I placed her subs and fries in front of her.
" Ugh, this looks so good! I can smell the fried onions and peppers."
"Yeah, I haven't had one in a while. The last time I played in Philly, one of my friends that lives there took me to her favorite place." She looked up and smirked.
" Her? What kind of friend is she?" I shook my head and laughed at her curious face.
" Just a friend, nothing like that!"
" So you aren't seeing anyone right now?"
" I was trying to see you but....." She rolled her eyes.
" Answer my question, Aubrey."
" Nah, I'm not seeing anyone." I put my straw into my cup and took a few sips.
" Oh..."
" Where did you meet your man?" I asked.
" The hospital..."
" Oh...."
" So how did your dad pass away? Again I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." I took a bite from my sub and looked off to see a few people taking pictures of us. She noticed too and rolled her eyes.
" Sorry..." I mumbled.
" It comes with being your friend... but he passed away from diabetes. He wasn't taking care of himself. Not taking his insulin when he was supposed to. He thought he was invisible." I stared at her as she talked.
" Wow, I'm sorry! I didn't even know he had diabetes!" She shook her head.
" Same, I found out when I arrived at the hospital. My so..... It was a shocker" She responded but could tell she was about to get worked up. I grabbed her hand.
" Hey, hey... I'm here, Lana!"
" I just wish he would have told me. I could have made sure he did what he was supposed to do! So selfish!" I reached to wipe her tears away. We sat and made small talk while eating. After we were done, a few people asked for a picture.
" I watched when you got drafted at number 1. I was saying to myself, wow he really did what he said he was going to do! One year in college and then the number 1 draft pick."
" Yea but that shit was a disaster. But my second year when I got traded! I was so happy!" I laughed as we walked around.
" Oh yeah, I remember that too!"
" So you were definitely following my career? Shit, I just wish you were with me." We sat down on a bench.
" Things happen for a reason, I guess." She shrugged.
" Yea... that saying..."
" I love that you kept the number 11... I still have your high school jersey...." I laughed.
" Shit, you looked good in my jersey. I used to always try to get you to wear it as dress. When you get home, try to find it and send me a picture of you wearing it." She laughed.
" Aubrey... no..."
" Oh that's right, your man probably wouldn't like that..." Her phone went off again. It was in my pocket this time. I grabbed it and saw My Love ❤️. She grabbed it and answered it. This time she got up and walked away. I couldn't hear what she was saying. She was smiling and looked genuinely happy.
"Ok, we're going to have to cut this short, I'm sorry." She said once she sat back down. She grabbed my hand and smiled.
" It's cool. I understand." We stood up and started our walk back to where I parked. We had a little way to walk and I knew that I'd be in some pain by the time I got home. On the way to my truck, I stopped and bought water so that I could take my pills. She was standing outside waiting and I took a few while I paid. I grabbed her favorite candy as well.
" Here." I handed her the bag of gummy bears.
" Awww. Thank you. Aub! You remembered."
" Yea, I've never forgotten anything about you." She continued to walk but I grabbed her hand and stopped her.
" I love you. Don't say it back I just wanted to tell you that." I kissed her forehead and wrapped my arm around her shoulders as we continued to the truck.
(25 minutes later)
" I enjoyed tonight! I really did and I really want this friendship to work." We were leaning on her car. I noticed that it was a different car than I saw her drive any other time. I felt like I saw it before though. Eh...
" Well you know I enjoyed this and definitely can't wait until we do this shit again, friend! We'll go somewhere fun next, like an amusement park. I haven't done that in years! Yo, let's go to Disney!" She smiled.
"Plan it and let me know. Harry Potter World is a must." I laughed. She loved Harry Potter.
" I'm on it. Shit, I might need one of the electric wheelchair things." I laughed.
" Well, we'll wait! I don't want you messing up your knee even more."
" Nah, we'll be good. You can carry me if need be, right?" I laughed while she gave me a look that said, Nigga.... Of course ,just when I was about to hug her, her phone rang. She glanced at it but didn't answer.
" Let me go.." She smiled and pulled me into a hug.
" Aight text me when you get home! Don't forget Solána! I don't care what that nigga has to say! You better text me!"
" Ok... Aubrey! Tell Ms. Val that I'll see her in a day or two." I nod as she got in. She smiled at me while I watched her. After one last wave, she was off. Tonight was good, I smiled while walking into the house. It was quiet and I knew that my mom was asleep and my Aunt was gone.
" The fuck are you smiling so hard for?" I was walking past the balcony door and stopped once I heard Chubbs. He was standing in the doorway about to light up a blunt.
" I was out with Solána..." I kept smiling.
" Damn, nigga! You act like you got some! You got that I just got some for the first time smile..." he laughed.
" Shut the fuck up nigga!" I laughed. I sat down.
" I'm just saying.."
" Shit was cool as fuck. We went out as friends and I'm content with that.." Chubbs gave me a look.
" Nigga, please!" He laughed. We sat here and continued to talk about about stupid shit. My phone went off. I looked at it and smiled.
Salána🌍❤️💕: I'm home! Thanks again for tonight, friend! I can't wait to do it again!
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Friends? 🤔🤭