I looked between him and the building. I didn’t even know if I could get back in without Carson. I glanced down at my phone. I could at least let Lo know I was getting in the car with a stranger. My black screen and red battery icon told me my phone had died. I stared back up at Kellon. He was my only way home right now. Saying a little prayer that I didn’t end up in a ditch somewhere, I approached the SUV.

“It’s just a ride home,” I repeated to myself as I climbed inside.

Chapter 4

She was beautiful. In the least subtle, slap you in the face kind of way. From the moment I saw her sitting on the staircase alone, I was drawn to her. There was something about shawty that gave fish out of water, and I was intrigued. I was so intrigued that I had to say something to her. I was so intrigued that I had Doug, my security guard, figure out who she was and who she was with while I watched her from the stage. I was celebrating the most significant moment of my life, and all I could think about was this strange woman who, despite wearing my jersey, didn’t know who the hell I was.

Call it taboo but finding a beautiful woman who wasn’t trying to use me for some reason or another was rare. She didn’t even want to let me give her a ride home. Most women would let me take them to my house without a second thought, but shawty was sitting a mile away from me, twiddling her thumbs like she was scared. It was cute and made me want to get to know her.

“So, Phileigh… You work for the team?”

I knew the answer. Doug had confirmed for me that she had no association with the Warhawks already, but she was too quiet, and I wanted to hear that soft ass voice again.

“No, no. I don’t know anything about football.” She shook her head and then immediately went back to twiddling her fingers.

“Really? What do you do?” I asked. I was curious because I wanted to know everything there was to know about her.

“I’m a um…celebrity barber,” she replied, making me stare at her even more. A barber? That was interesting.

“You cut hair? I would have never guessed that.”

She didn’t look like any barber I’d ever seen. I was sure niggas booked with her just to get a look at her. She sure had me wanting to see when I could sit in her chair.

“Yeah. It’s not fancy, but it pays the bills, and I enjoy it,” she said.

I didn’t like the way she tried to play it down. Hell, cutting hair was cool. I damn sure couldn’t do it.