Fumble (An OBJ story)

.11

~~ Linnéa Yari Brown ~~
Wednesday 7th January 2015
New York, USA

"Barely seen you since you got back" Odell says as he sits down on the examination bed.

"You're lucky I can even see you today. Ronnie been keeping me busy"

"Busy with what?"

"He is y'all trainer. Had to do reviews on everybody." I start by rolling his neck.

"Why don't I get one?"

"Because Ronnie doesn't work on a Wednesday morning so yours is on Friday"

"Fairs. How was Christmas and shit?" He asks.

"It was good you?"

"Man BR the greatest. It's cool to see my siblings man. Jazz and KD are wiley always."

"I see mine everyday and they both annoying as hell"

"You ever ask Neve if I could have acupuncture?"

"It's best I just write you down as John Doe and you go in. She don't fuck with you"

"She know you see me everyday and that we friends?"

"Yes and no. She'd come down here and kill yuh" he chuckles.

"She's your sister for sure". He doesn't know about her mom and what not. Nobody really does because what's the point.

**

I open the front door revealing a quiet and empty house. I thought Narvana would be back with Bryson by now. I kick off my shoes and walk towards the living room. I hear some music getting loud and soon it becomes clear to me that it's Jacquees' voice. There's no one in the living room though.

I walk into the kitchen where the lights are dimmed. The table now only has two seats around it and there are two candles on either side of a single red rose.

"Hey baby" I swivel on my heels to see DeAndre in the centre of the kitchen, holding a dozen roses.

"What are you doing here?" I ask rolling my eyes but on the inside I'm so glad to see him.

"I wanna apologise to you baby. And you always telling me that you need to see actions and here they are. I made dinner, I cleaned up the house and I got a bottle of your favourite wine. I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you and being so distant. I was stressed but that was no excuse for me to neglect you." He holds out the roses towards me and I can't help but to take them.

"I forgive you Dre but don't do that shit again" I place them on the counter and walk into his open arms. He hugs me tight and kisses my forehead.

"I love you Linnéa"

"Love you too Dre" I wanted to say it fully but I feel like the feelings are starting to disappear. I pull out of the hug.

"Whatchu make?" I ask; it does smell good in here.

"Chicken Parmesan pasta. Your favourite" he says grinning at me.

**
Thursday 8th January 2015

"Someone's been real happy today?" Odell asks as he walks over to me on the sidelines.

"Am I not allowed to just be happy?" I ask raising an eyebrow.

"Naww I ain't say that but you Linnéa. Yo ass only smile when something got you smiling otherwise you got a mean ass mug always" he takes a swing from his water bottle.

"Shut yo dusty rass up" I say rolling my eyes.

"You still smiling Naya. It's the OBJ effect ain't it?" He says throwing a wink my way.

"Nigga who's gassing you up?" He smiles at me.

"What? It ain't me" I raise my hands wanting nothing to do with it.

"Naw you still got yo jumbled lingo. Das all. Tell me what's gwaanin then init?" He says slightly mocking me.

"I had some good ass dinner which I had for breakfast too"

"Food always made you happy. Whatchu have?"

"Chicken Parmesan" he smacks his gums at me.

"Man you still like that white ass shit? Gaarn somewhere"

"Boy you came over here. Go do something witcho self fo'-"

"BECKHAM GET YOUR ASS BACK ON THIS FIELD- MATTERFACT TEN LAPS NOW" coach yells and I look at Odell.

"But coach-" I glare at him and he stops talking. He knew that was finna happen. He begins on his laps. All the boys head off the field once they've finished training. I grab a cool bottle of water and stand at the goal post. He's on his final lap. He slows down as he approaches me and I clap for him.

"Yuh ass is slow as shit bwoy" I say holding out the bottle of water.

"Like you any faster lil mama" he says as he grabs the bottle of water.

"I coul' beat yuh anyday"

"No you couldn't" he says as he hangs his entire self on my shoulders.

"Ewww Odell getcho ugly, heavy, sweaty stinky ass offa mi fo' mi beat da actual shit outta yuh" I exclaim as I brush him off as hard as I can. All he can do is chuckle and frankly, I'm not finding it funny. But the way he looking at me also got me feeling some type of way.

"My bad" he says walking backwards in front of me. He bites his lip as he looks at me

"Yea yuh bad. Annoying ugly ass" I say walking ahead of him.

"Come on Naya, you actually mad?" I ignore him as I continue to walk to my office.

Whilst I'm filling out the assessment records for the end of the season, there's a knock at my door.

"Come in" I say and guess who walks in through the door.

"You neva did like dat"

"So why'd you have to go do it?" He looks down as if he's just been told off.

"My bad Naya" he says. He hovers at the door as he looks at me.

"You got that I want suumin face" I say. 

"There's this dinner thing with all the pro bowlers after the pro bowl game and you're supposed to bring a date- or someone in general and who better to bring than you? Uhhh cause you my physical therapist of course and you'll be in Arizona anyways" he was always so cute when he was nervous.

"Dell leave" I say with a chuckle.

"But-"

"I'll go with you"