to boxing’s latest sensation.” He winked. “I’ll send Mr. Spencer a signed copy next week.” His attention went to Ashton. “And a happy birthday to you, sir. I’m honored you spent it here, supporting me.”
Ashton offered Thomas his hand for a shake like a grown-ass man. “The honor has been all mine. Thank you, Mr. Thomas.”
After shaking hands, Tyler Thomas offered us a final bow before taking off with the two men. And that was it. That was the second important and somewhat famous person I’d been in a room with, thanks to Ashton Spencer. This one actually spoke to me, though. I watched as they left the row in front of us and walked down to a door just off the stage.
“Are they his security?” I whispered to Ashton.
“For the next few hours, something like that.”
Then my head whipped over to Ashton. “That man came all the way out here when all those people left—people who are waiting to see him outside—just to give you what they’re waiting on him to pay for?” My words made sense in my head.
He shook his head, scoffing, “I’m only known on campus, McNabb. Remember?” I couldn’t decide if that was his typical sarcasm or the truth. Either way, Ashton stood, attention to his phone. “It’s getting late. Let’s get out of here before I get too hungry.” Gathering my things quickly, I shot to my feet and followed him down the row to the opposite aisle. He asked over his thick shoulder, “For your spaghetti, is plain canned diced tomatoes okay, or does it have to be with parsley, garlic, or some other shit?”
That question threw me. What did spaghetti he’d never had have to do with this Tyler Thomas man? Moody ass human!
“Plain, I guess.” I didn’t need it seasoned.
The drive to the hotel was nearly thirty minutes from the signing event. And I was on such a high from meeting Tyler Thomas, someone who I planned to look up once back at BSU, I used every one of those minutes to probe Ashton about him. He seemed like such an interesting man, and what was more intriguing was that Ashton was a huge fan.
As he drove his Panamera, I shot off so many questions. Ashton kept one hand on the wheel, and his other balled as his head leaned against it. His eyes were mainly on the road, face tight from whatever was going on in that head of his.
“Did he know your father?”
Ashton shrugged. “I don’t think so. Not like that.”
What did that mean? “Did your father introduce you to him?”
“Nah.” His eyes still ahead on the road. “Somebody my father knew.”
“Who?”
Seconds later, he answered, “Divine.”
Divine? “Who is that?”
He shrugged. “Another millionaire. He’s pretty popular, but a Keyser Soze type.”
Kah-what?
“Where does he live?”
Ashton shrugged again, eyes squinted. “L.A. now.”
“Wow!” I breathed in amazement. “You know millionaires and famous people.”
We pulled into the hotel’s circular driveway instead of a parking lot. A valet walked straight to my door before the car came to a full stop. Ashton unlocked the doors and mine was opened by a white guy with the livery hat and vest similar to what the driver at BSU wore. He touched the rim with the tips of his fingers while greeting me. It was happening all too fast. I wanted to ask more about the millionaire named Divine from L.A., but Ashton was just behind him, holding our duffle bags and offering his hand to me.
I took it and allowed him to dash me into the big hotel lobby, just as the sun was setting. From the back of his head, I saw Ashton scope out the place. He led me to the counter, where he checked in and received a room key. I hoped he didn’t sense how antsy I was when he murmured something to the guy assisting him. Checking into a hotel with a guy was never a thing for me. Was it even legal? Of course, it was. Right? We were both adults. Speaking louder, Ashton closed the conversation and we took off. I didn’t notice until we made it to the elevator, the group of seven Black guys filing inside after us.
“Nah,” Ashton grounded out. “Catch the next one.”
The guys, all dressed in pink sweat suits, marched backward out of the elevator. A couple of them looked familiar to me, and about three had grocery bags in their hands. Just as they were out, two white men got on. One was in