Basketball Jones by E. Lynn Harris Read Free Book Online Page B

slowly climbed the stairs and opened the door.
    The living room was decorated with traditional furnishing and a fireplace was roaring while soft music played, but there was no sign of Dray. I noticed a half-finished bottle of champagne and some chocolate-covered strawberries on the bar. I walked over and saw a “welcome to the hotel” note addressed to Dray and poured myself some champagne. It was sweet and not flat, leading me to guess it hadn’t been open long.
    I grabbed my products bag from my suitcase, went into the bathroom, and brushed my teeth and took off my clothes, leaving my T-shirt and underwear on the floor. Then I walked into the large master bedroom. There I found Dray sprawled out on the bed, his back turned toward me. He was sound asleep. I crawled into the king-sized bed as quietly as I could and began to look for the remote so that I could turn off the television.
    Just as I settled into my spot in bed, I felt Dray’s huge hands wrap around my waist and pull me close to him in the spoon position. Since he wasn’t usually a cuddler, I was going to enjoy this.
    “You made it,” he said, kissing me on my ears and neck. Dray wasn’t wearing underwear and the warmth of his body soothed me. “I’m so glad you’re here, AJ. You’re not mad at me, are you?”
    “For what?” I asked.
    “Making you cancel your meeting and your trip to see your family.”
    “No, I’m cool. I called the foundation and they said I could come in when I get back. I’ll see Mama and Bella another weekend.”
    “Cool, boi.”
    “Oh, I forgot. Happy birthday, Dray.”
    He looked at the clock and then back at me and said, “Yeah, it is my birthday. Where are my gifts?” He smiled expectantly.
    “Why don’t we wait until tomorrow?”
    “That’s cool. I already know I’m getting an iPhone.”
    “You do? How do you know that?”
    “Because I know you and I know you know I love gadgets.”
    “Maybe your wife will get you one,” I said, half teasingly.
    “No, she already gave me my gifts before I came out here. She bought me a watch, some shirts, and that skin-care stuff you give me facials with.”
    I’d debated whether to tell Dray I’d run into Judi. I didn’t want to trip him out but at the same time I wanted him to know. Since he brought it up, I went ahead.
    “I know,” I said quietly.
    “How do you know that?”
    “I saw her buy it.”
    “You did?” Suddenly he was wide awake.
    “Yeah, she was with some other lady and I was in the store getting ready to buy you that skin-care package. But Judi beat me to the punch. I felt kinda silly.”
    “Why, baby boi?”
    “I don’t know. I just did. But don’t worry. I didn’t say anything to her and avoided eye contact.”
    “AJ, you could have gotten it for me and just kept it at your house. Do you think she saw you?”
    “She didn’t even look in my direction.”
    “I’m surprised she didn’t remember you from the party,” Dray said.
    “What party?”
    “Remember the one the Hawks owner gave and you came? She was there. I know you saw her.”
    “Oh yeah, but remember you didn’t introduce us,” I teased.
    “I didn’t think you wanted to meet her.”
    “That was cool. So how was camp today?”
    “It was cool, but they are working my ass off. Still need to get that free-throw mojo working again.”
    “It will happen, babe. You’ll get it back,” I said, stroking his chest.
    “You ready for da business?”
    “Yes, babe.”
    “So when do I get my birthday kiss?”
    “Now, and as many as you want.” I kissed Dray deeply and he held me tightly. This was going to be a great couple of days, I thought, suddenly very happy Dray had made me cancel my trip home.
    Then he nudged his head into my neck and the next thing I heard was Dray’s snoring. Da business would have to wait for another night.
    When I woke up, Dray had already left for camp. There
was
a note in the bathroom telling me he’d be back around six and to get ready for a