I quickly wrote/edited this chapter just to update!! Ignore spelling errors/proofreading

"Yo! Y'all saw the new recruits?" my teammates laughed and teased as they fawned over the new cheerleaders. "Yo Bradley! I saw you eyeing that chocolate sistah!!" my friend and teammate Tyler teased me.

"Who?" I tilted my head, acting oblivious to his accusations.

"Bradleyyyyyy" Tyler sang my name.

"Bradleyyyyy" the whole team dragged out my name, teasing me as I blushed red. I tried to suppress my smile as I pulled my shirt over my body. "Alright...alright" I waved my hands to quiet them down.

"So who's got dibs on her?" Tyler teased me again but of course I knew he was joking.

"Don't act like y'all want her!" I curse, "you all into them pale snow bunnies."

"Awww don't be mad Bradley! We just like them light and bright or white and white!" they high five each other with pride.

I shook my head as I heard their words. It was funny black men like them refused to date their own race. They acted like fools trying to dine and bed the next basic Becky or unseasoned Suzy.

I knew it all my life I lived that ebony skin. The way their skin glistened against the rays of the sun.
The natural curve in their hips.
The fullness in their lips.
None of that nasty juvaderm gunk!
Black women were ethereal and divine.
I couldn't get enough of them.

"Great! That means there is no competition for me" I shrugged, relieved they wouldn't pay her the time of day.

"So what you doing after practice?" Tyrone asked as he dried his dreads.

"I don't know? I think imma shop at Whole Foods then head to the gym"

"You mad aggy Bradley! Come kick it at the club with us!"

"Aww you know I'm tired of that life!"

"You know them white girls only come to our section when you're with us! Come and kick it with us just for a minute..."

"Nah man... I really gotta go and get groceries" I sighed, grabbing my bag to leave.

"Bradley! You get 500k per game! You can hire people for that!" another teammate chastised me.

"Yea... I'll get on that soon. I'll see y'all later" I dap Tyler and Tyrone and walked to my car.

——-
Whole Foods
9pm
——-

I locked the door to my Bugatti Xr pro and head to the grocery store, making sure to pull my hoodie all the way down. I had to make sure no one recognized me.

I dropped another orange in my basket and continued to scan the aisles for anything else I needed. As I turned into the next aisle, I saw the ebony beauty bending down to grab a can of soup.

Some creeper dude was trailing behind her, making her uncomfortable. She turned to look back but he meticulously turned away. Anger filled my heart as I clutched my basket. I wanted to intervene but didn't want to expose my disguise.

"Hey don't you dance for the Cowboys?"

"No I don't" she muttered, trying to get away before making a scene. She was dressed nice with light makeup and an off the shoulder top.

"Can I have just one picture for my son? He loves those skimpy outfits you dancers wear" he whispered, loud enough for the store to hear.

"I'm not comfortable" she muttered, trying to escape to the exit. He ignored her protests and quickly took his phone out. "Come on! Just one picture baby! Pucker up for the camera" he grabbed her wrist tight.She tried to push him away but he grabbed her waist and turned her towards him.

"Let Me go you creep!" She fumed.

"Not until I get my picture baby"

"Aye!!! The lady said to leave her alone!" I stepped up to intimidate him.

"Oh yea? And what are you gonna do about it buddy?" the man sized me up. I rolled my eyes, annoyed by his overconfidence and removed my hoodie to show him my face.

"Oh ... oh my!! You're Bradley Paise! Omg! THE Bradley praise!  number 25 for the Cowboys." he yelled, jumping up like an excited donkey.

"Bro can I get a pick! My kids love you!" he ran to stand beside me, already taking out his phone.

"If you do, leave the woman alone" I threatened.

"Yea! yea yea no problem!" he reassured me. I put my glasses on as he snapped away.

"Thanks dude! You're the best" he smiled and ran off to pay.

"Look... I'm sorry—" but I already see her walking to check out.

"157$" the cashier announced.

"Here" I stood between her and passed my black Amex to the cashier.

"Don't" she muttered but I ignored her and loaded my things onto the belt. She quickly bagged up her stuff into a reusable bag and stepped to  leave the store.

"Wait!" I throw a wad of cash to the cashier and pack up my things to follow her.

"I have to go" she explained, as she dropped her basket into the slot.

"Wait" I grabbed her arm to stop her departure. I just wanted to see if she was okay. She looked a little shaken up.

"Please I just want to go home and forget this ever happened" she looked up at me. I could see a bee of tears forming in her eyes. As she turned to go I see a sea of photographers waiting for me. "No way!" I cursed as I saw the flashes. That stupid creep probably tweeted I was at Whole Foods. "Wait you can't go out"

"Why not?" she pouted.

"Paparazzi!" I whispered and led her down the aisle to the back. I take off my black hoodie and pass it to her.

"Here"

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Put it on" I shrugged, dangling it above her head.

"Yea right!" She laughed, "can I go home now? The paparazzi wants Bradley Paise! Not me"

"Look I'm trying to help you"

"No you're not! I'm not supposed to even be seen with you!"

"And what do you think will happen if you go out there? The same store I was shopping in?" I ask her.

——

I observed his blue eyes as he stared me down. He was so fine! I continued to pout as I think of the consequences.

It was true!

The rule book said we were supposed to drop everything if we were even 3ft away from a player.

I rolled my eyes, finally giving in and reluctantly put it on. "Fine" I grumbled, snatching my bags from the floor. He tried to hide the smile as it swallowed my tiny form.

"Here, our this on too" he passed me his black nike hat.

"What will do this do?!"

"Hide you to make you unrecognizable!" he patted my head like a clueless pup. I rolled my eyes and pull it against my head. "So can I go now?"

"Sure you can go now" he smiled and waved me off. I grab my bags and quickly skip to leave.

"But!" He piper from behind me, "there is a sea of bumper to bumper cars. Those paparazzi cars are blocking the parking lot. You will be here for hours."

"Okay so what do I do? I left cookie dough to thaw at my home"

"Well....you can come over to my house?" he suggested as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Oh classy" I sighed, his true colors had finally surfaced.

"We won't do anything? Just until the paps leave?They can't see me dropping you off at your house because they'll know your identity. Right now your just some random girl that no one will recognize"

I tapped my foot against the tiled floor as I heard his reasoning.

"Plus I have cookie dough in my fridge" he coaxes me into submission.

"What kind" I cross my hands over my chest.

"The best kind? Chocolate chip" he smirked.

"Fine" I pout and he chuckled.

"Come on" I gasped as he grabbed my waist and led me to the exit.

"You ready?"

"I guess" my stomach churned. We walked hand in hand as he led me to his sports car.

"BRADLEY BRADLEY! Who's the new girl!"

"New gf or sleep of the week?"

"Playboy Bradley!"

I almost tripped over the pavement as the flashes of light blinded me but his strong arm held me tight. He placed a soft palm against my back as he whispered affirmations into my ear. "Just ignore them. You're doing great" I blushed as his soft breath tickled the nape of my neck.

"Already wearing your clothes?"

"Taking her to your house?"

He pushed them away as he led me by the waist and unlocked his black Bugatti, leading me to the passenger seat and closing the door behind me.

"Bradley pose for the camera! I gotta cop the new iPhone! Your smile is gonna pay my pre-order!"

He stuck out his tounge and smiled. The paparazzi eat it up of course and click away. Just as quickly as he smiled, he pulled out his palm and flashed them his finger.

"Aww man!" they stopped shooting and cursed, "You know we can't sell these!"

"Yea well F you guys!" he pulled the door closed and started the car. He reved up the engine warning them to back off. I sit awkwardly as he backed out, not caring if he ran them over and zoomed off.

We sit in silence as he drove further and further away. "I live super far away."

"Oh... are you sure you're not kidnapping me?" I turned to face him.

He chuckled and leaned back, scratching his chin to tease me. "Maybe?" he smiled, biting his plump lips.

I gulped and turned to the windows to observe the scenery. I could tell he was worried about me as he noticed my silence. "I'm joking mama" he chuckled as he sped away.

"You trust me right?" he turned to face me. I reluctantly nodded but refused to meet his eyes.