Ace: Sports Romance Novel

by Alexa Reign

  I took a calming breath and cranked it back, lowering my voice.

  “When you went on that audition for that maxi-pad commercial last week, it was Cailie's idea to come by the studio and surprise you –”

  “Please, don't even start.” Rosaline stood up. She looked at me through slitted eyes, a vile smile on her rose-pink lips. “I created guilt-tripping, so don't waste your breath. And I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you –”

  “Cocky?” I snorted. “You wanna talk about cocky? You –”

  “You've only just decided to waltz back into our lives, so don't act like you're above us all, trying to fix things that aren't broken and you know nothing about.” She lowered her eyebrows, her jawline accentuated in her anger. “You know nothing about me or Cailie – and don't think I can't see right through you. You're trying to get her to like you more so she'll turn against me –”

  “Holy crap, Rosaline – do you even hear yourself?” My upper lip curled as if it were being tugged by an invisible hook. “I'm not trying to get anyone to – as you put it – 'like me more,' because you see, I've since moved on from the 8th grade –”

  “Grandma and Grandpa were right about you and your mother all along.” Rosaline fell back onto the sofa and turned up the volume on the TV.

  I was ready to ask just what Grandma and Grandpa were so right about, but I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction – if her chin were raised any higher she'd be looking straight up at the ceiling.

  “I don't have time for this. Unlike some people around here, some of us have actual work and responsibilities we have to take care of, so I'll see you later.”

  “And what do you think I –”

  The rest of her sentence could no longer be heard over the slam of the door and the subsequent hiss of the shower head.

  Chapter Three: Ace

  “That babe on your 2 o'clock's been checking you out for a minute now.”

  I set my beer down and casually glanced to my right. A short-haired brunette in a small white tube top and anime tights was sneaking suggestive looks at me from across the bar. She leaned provocatively against the bar, her juicy cleavage nearly spilling out of her top.

  When our eyes met, she stuck out half her tongue and rolled her thin straw back and forth across the tip.

  “Cute girl.” I looked down and reached for my beer.

  “What, she ain't your type?” Nolan clucked his tongue loudly, wiggling his eyebrows at her. She giggled, pulling her friend close to whisper in her ear. “Man, if I wasn't scared shitless of Grace, I'da had that chick bent over the toilet 5 minutes ago.”

  “She's cute. Just not really feeling it.”

  He downed his shot of tequila and licked the salt off his fist.

  “You got a girl or something?” He asked me, the lemon wedge still in his mouth.

  For a split second, Victoria's face flashed in my mind's eye. As quick as it came, Brooklyn's face forced out the image. I shifted in my seat, restless from that distinctive pang of guilt.

  “Nah.”

  “You sure 'bout that?” Nolan grinned. “You kinda hesitated there.”

  “Well, I mean, there's this girl I work with. We live in the same building, too – she lives with her cousin just a floor below me. We've been getting pretty close, but I'd say we're just friends for now.”

  “What's her name?”

  “Victoria.”

  “Nice. That's one of 'em classy girl names.” He smiled. “Like Grace.”

  “How long have the 2 of you been together?”

  “Oh, man. I don't know. I've known her since I was 3 – our parents used to live on the same block. We've been on and off for as long as I can remember,” said Nolan. He had this far-off look in his eyes, but he was smiling. “No matter what we did, we always ended up coming back to each other. Guess I always knew she was the one. Knocked her up a couple months ago, popped the question, tied the knot at City Hall.”

  “Nice. Didn't get to talk to her much, but she seems like a nice lady.”

  “Yeah, she is.” Nolan scratched the back of his ear, hailing the bartender for another shot. “About the other night, man – I'm sorry if things got too weird for you. Uh, it's just that Grace, see, we ain't too used to having company over –”

  “Don't even worry about it, brother. Just putting this out there – if you ever need anything, we can work something out –”

  “Nah, man, I ain't about that charity shit.” Nolan waved me off. He stuffed his hair into his snapback, his shoulders going stiff.

  “My bad, I didn't mean to –”

  “Shit's bad, man. Grace is my world. And tell you what, I ain't even met the kid yet, but I already know he's gonna be my universe.” Nolan lowered his eyes, kicking back another shot. He gasped. “Grace got canned from Red Moon when she got pregnant. I've been doing all I can to pay the bills, but the rent in that shithole of an apartment we're in's $1850 a month.”

  “For real?” I shook my head and ordered myself another beer. “That shit's highway robbery, man.”

  “Yep. I've got a part time job working at the Dunkin Donuts down on 7th Street making minimum wage, and Grace does some cleaning once or twice a month for some cash; babysits for some people around the building in exchange for some food stamps. It's just enough to get our bills covered, or put food on the table for the month. We'd go weeks eating nothing but canned anchovies and margarine-and-sugar sandwiches.”

  Nolan pounded his fist on the counter, swaying in his seat.

  “Yo, barkeep! Let's get another shot over here.”

  The bartender stopped in front of Nolan, glaring at him as he polished a beer mug with a dirty rag.

  “I'm going to have to cut you off, kid. Your tab's been adding up –”

  “C'mon, man, don't do me like that –”

  “I got it.” I took out my wallet and slid my card across the counter.

  “What you think this is, the Four Seasons?” The bartender snickered, sliding my card right back to me. “Cash only.”

  “Right. How much do we owe?”

  “120.”

  “Keep 'em coming.” I handed him 200.

  “Whatever you say, boss.” He refilled our drinks and screwed off to the side.

  “Thanks.” Nolan drained another shot. He leaned back in his seat to face me, gripping the edge of the counter to keep himself from sliding off his stool. “Y'know, it ain't like I ain't been trying, either. I've been smarting up in a suit and tie, hitting up all these interviews, but ain't nobody out there sparin' jobs for ex-cons.”

  “Oh, yeah? What were you in for?”

  “Did 4-and-a-half years on some drug charges. Was supposed to do 8, but got out on good behavior 3 years back.”

  “Don't you have a parole officer that checks up on you?” I tried to tread lightly. “You sure it's a good idea for that Buster dude to smoke up at your place?”

  “Yeah, I know. Grace's been getting on my case about him, too.” He closed his eyes and clasped his hands over the back of his head, rocking back in his seat. “I know I ain't got no business hanging around with him no more, but we're brothers. Been through more shit you could even imagine. Guy's a fucking nutbag, but he's loyal, man, and he's always got my back.”

  “I see.”

  “If you want the truth, Buster was the only one who didn't give me a hard time for ejecting myself from that crowd. I mean, he gave me a little shit for it in the beginning, but he was the one who pulled his gun on me and smacked that pipe outta my hands when I was finna hit rock bottom. Haven't touched that shit since.”

  “Good for you, man. Congrats.”

  “Save it – I shouldn't have been messing with that shit in the first place.” Nolan's cheeks puffed out like he was going to be sick, but he swallowed hard, leaning forward. He buried his face in his hands, his snapback sliding off the side of his head. “Can't say I don't miss it, man, but when I got out, the only thing Grace wanted me to do was quit. And that look in her eyes, man... I
don't even know why she stuck by me all these years.”

  “You're a good man, buddy.” I gave him a solid pat on the back.

  “Yeah, and the fuck kinda man am I if I can't even provide for my family?” He sat back up, straightening his snapback. “If I had the money, man, I'd take Grace to Hawaii. Stay on a nice beach, treat her to an all-day spa, take her to a real nice dinner...”

  “You're more of a man than most – you're sticking by your woman, and just you being stressed out about providing for your family tells me you're gonna be alright. And Hawaii sounds nice. I've never been. You let me know how it goes.”

  “No way – you ain't never been to Hawaii?”

  “No. I haven't been out of state – 'cept to Jersey – in years.”

  “Dang. You got all the money in the world and you're just here sitting on your ass in this dump with a jackass like me.” Nolan chuckled, flicking his chin. When his eyes fell on my necklace, his smile waned. “That have anything to do with that thing you got on your neck?”

  I picked up my chain, fingering the pair of cold, silver bands.

  “Maybe.”

  “Right.” Nolan sucked his teeth, eager to change the subject. “So, yeah, being a dad's gonna be rough, man. You ever think about having kids?”

  I held my breath, which did almost nothing to ease the tightness in my throat.

  “No.”

  “Ay, right, sorry – I didn't mean nothing by it –”

  “It's cool. Relax.” I stared down the mouth of my beer bottle. “Thing is, I don't know when it's okay to move on. What's the time frame for something like that without disrespecting her memory? I don't know – I can't shake this – this guilt. It's hard to put it in words –”

  “I feel you, man,” said Nolan, nodding. “But you can't be thinking like that – you know your girl better than anyone. Wouldn't she have wanted you to be happy? Is this why you trying to distance yourself from that Victoria girl?”

  “You could say that.” I admitted. I paused, filling the silence with a long drink of my foamy, bitter beer. “The first time I jacked off after Brooklyn died was bad enough, and now that I'm getting actual feelings for the girl? This shit's on a whole other level, man, and I don't know if I'm ready for that.”

  “So what is it about this girl?”

  “Fuck me if I know. She's just different – I mean, she's beautiful, but she's not usually the type I go for. Real laid-back and one of the chillest chicks I've ever met, too. Doesn't judge anyone. She's been through some shit herself, but she's not the type to get knocked down and stay down, know what I mean?”

  “So this girl's a dime and she ain't crazy?” said Nolan with a crooked grin. “Sounds like you better hold on tight then – those girls are about as common as god-dang leprechauns.”

  “I hear that. Victoria's real cool, but she –”

  “Hey, she ain't your girl. You know that, I know that, she knows that. But maybe that's okay.”

  I looked up at Nolan, letting his words sink in. Despite the flush of his cheeks, there was this real sincere look in his eyes. Who would've known the most poignant thing I've heard in years would've come from some dude on his 5th shot?

  “That's not it.” I lowered my voice, my eyes darting around the bar. “I've been getting these letters.”

  “Letters?” Nolan looked slightly confused, but he whispered back, leaning close to me. “What kinda letters?”

  “Yo, back up a little, dude. It's some real trippy shit. The letter came in code and everything. They're from Brooklyn –”

  “Brooklyn?” Nolan repeated, his eyes popping wide open. “But – what do you mean – how is that –”

  “Look, I know how it sounds – it's a long story. She says she's in trouble, and she needs to see me.” I finished my beer, wiping my mouth with my fist. “I've been chewing it over for days now, and I'm starting to think it might actually be her.”

  “You really think it's her?” asked Nolan doubtfully, stroking the side of his face.

  I flinched at the note in his voice. It was the same sad, almost pitiful tone Tabitha, Aiden, and the bunch of them took with me whenever I talked about Brooklyn. I turned away from him, waving down the bartender.

  “Don't worry about it. Forget I said anything –”

  “No, man, I – I believe you.” Nolan still didn't sound too sure. He hopped off his stool. “I just gotta take a leak – we'll talk about this some more when I get back. If there's anything I can do, you know I'm down to help out.”

  “Appreciate that, man.”

  As I turned back to face the counter with my fresh beer in hand, I froze. I squinted at the man across from me, sitting right where the short-haired brunette was. It was Dubois. And once again, he was all by himself.

  He pushed his stool back and rose to his feet, either slowed down by his age or the empty brandy glass in front of him. He slipped his arms into the sleeves of his brown trench coat and put his ivy cap back on with that same listless expression on his face. It was soul-crushing to watch.

  As Dubois pulled the door open, he looked back over his shoulder, spotting me. I nodded, giving him a small smile. He acknowledged me with a limp-wrist wave, but the smile wasn't reciprocated. And just like that, he was off.

  XXX

  “You gonna be alright, man?”

  “Y-yeah.” Nolan pushed himself off the wall and flashed me a drowsy thumbs-up. “I'ma walk home – it's just 4 blocks from here. Where you off to?”

  “I'm gonna go see this girl for a minute and sober up some before I drive home.”

  “That's – that's what's up.” Nolan hiccuped and gave me a fist-bump. “We still on for drinks next Saturday?”

  “Definitely, man. Give my best to Grace.”

  “Can do.”

  When we parted ways, I went around the back to the parking lot and headed for my car. I opened the passenger door and dove into the glove compartment for my cologne. I quickly spritzed some on me and grabbed the red rose and white lily bouquet from the passenger seat before walking back out of the parking lot.

  My body was on autopilot. I'd never been to the place on foot, and the road signs in this dark neighborhood were either hidden in the shadows or obstructed by overgrown trees. Yet somehow, I knew exactly where I was going. I wasn't sure how far I'd walked, but it must have been some trek because the soles of my feet had thickened up and the sweat on my forehead was dribbling down my nose.

  At last, I found the pebble path that led up to the forged gates, which was fringed with arrowhead spikes. I slipped my fingers through the bars of the gate and pushed it open. The heavy door drew back with a piercing creak.

  Wooden crosses and gray stones projecting from the earth covered nearly every inch of the open flatland before me. I could hear the trees and grass rustling from the wind, but other than that, the place was dead quiet. The clouds of my breath coming out my mouth seemed to be my only companion.

  With the light of the full moon guiding my way, I coursed through the maze of crosses and stones and headed uphill. I found my way across the 3rd row, slowing down as I got closer to the plot. A hand-carved statue of an angel watched over the space, her arms draped over a white marble headstone.

  “Here lies Brooklyn Amelia Cunningham,

  February 8, 1989, – March 19, 2018.

  Beloved daughter, wife, inspiration.

  Until we dance together again.”

  Completely numb, I lay the flowers in front of the headstone. I sat down next to the headstone. And as I leaned my cheek against the smooth, cool marble, staring out at the hundreds of graves in front of me, I wondered.

  I wondered if I'd just brought flowers to an empty grave.

  Chapter Four: Victoria

  “Hey, Grayson! Where've you been? Shit went down this morning – you missed out, dude.”

  “Wife dragged me to one of her Lamaze classes. Why, what's up?”

  As I paced back and forth by the vending machines, I eavesdropped on the 2 cr
ew members hanging around by the water cooler.

  “Warner had some kind of meltdown– walked into work this morning looking like he hadn't changed outta last night's clothes, hungover as all get-out. One of the interns must have pissed him off. We were all going about our own business, prepping the set, and next thing you know, he's screaming bloody murder at this intern. The girl burst out crying and ran off – took 3 girls from Makeup and Wardrobe to calm her down.”

  “No kidding – Warner? Toby was just telling me the other day how Warner was this real cool, stand-up dude –”

  “Yeah, I heard that, too – but you should have seen him. I'm not even about to front – I nearly wet myself and he wasn't even yelling at me...”

  I peeked over my shoulder, watching as the 2 crew members wandered down the hallway and disappeared into the break room. I turned back to the vending machines and picked out 2 bags of chips, 2 sandwiches, and 2 cans of sweet tea. Juggling the haul in my arms, I went straight for the stairwell and climbed up the 4 floors.

  When I reached the final landing, I pushed the hefty door open with my hip and reversed into the rooftop.

  Ace was standing next to the water tower, his back turned to me. His seal-gray blazer was scrunched up in a ball and carelessly thrown aside on the grubby floor. He looked down at the mid-noon traffic with a can of beer in his fist. The rest of his 6-pack sat on the ground next to him.

  “Why'd I have a feeling it was you?” said Ace, still looking straight ahead. “You got a crush on me, or something?”

  “I haven't had a crush since I was 12.” I put the food down on the ledge and stood alongside him, sharing the view. Hundreds of buildings and scattered greenery gazed back at us. The tips of some skyscrapers sliced right through the fleecy clouds. “So we're drinking on the job now, are we?”

  “What, are you gonna report me?” Ace glanced my way, smirking.

  “You know what, I just might if you don't put that down right now and get some proper food in that smartass mouth of yours.”

  “Alright, alright, take it easy,” said Ace, but he still kept a vice-like grip on that beer. “It's not that serious –”