“Right. You can’t have her going to college, getting a boyfriend, and leaving you. Who gon’ protect her while you’re playing basketball,” Dr. June said.
I rocked my head back and forward because we were finally getting somewhere.
“She’s not ready for the real world. Ivey most likely will end up living with me anyway. I’m trying to get a handle on things, but Mom and Malcolm keep resisting,” I said.
I stood from my chair and threw a pillow at the wall before I sat back down.
“The family is fucked up. There are cracks in the foundation,” I said.
“Right, you should throw another pillow,” Dr. June said.
I stood and threw another pillow at the wall. My chest tightened as I tried to push air through. I lifted my phone, chest heaving with anger.
“And my woman is acting crazy. All I asked her to do was stay on the phone with me until the game. Afterwards, fall asleep with me on the phone. I’m trying to make sure she is cool while I’m on the road.”
“She should be thankful. You’re trying to protect her and make sure she stays put and doesn’t leave,” Dr. June said.
“Finally, somebody with some common sense sees it. I do everything to protect them and they still... they still want to leave me,” I stammered.
Warm tears poured from my eyes, kissing the skin on my cheeks. I sobbed as a ball formed in my chest and my throat burned.
“Marquise, I’m here.”
Erin
Me
Fuck you
I stuffed my phone in my pocket, pissed the fuck off. Marquise expects me to stay on the phone with him the entire time he’s gone.
“Jhae, turn your head a little to the left,” the photographer said.
In my opinion, we had the album cover shot in the first ten minutes, but he needs to make his money. The denim jacket hung off her shoulder, showing enough skin to tease. I opened my phone and took a few random photos to use for a cover reveal.
“Let’s do an outfit change and move to the exposed brick,” the photographer said.
Jeff
The venue is yours. We need the deposit.
Me
I’m on it. Send over the contracts.
I texted an old connection, securing the medium-sized Chicago venue for three days. Everything but Marquise had been working out for me.
“You cool?” Jhae asked.
I smiled, but she didn’t buy it. “Give us ten minutes,” I said to the wardrobe department.
My eyes watered as I focused on the ceiling. “I’m sorry it’s unprofessional and it won’t happen again,” I apologized to Jhae.
She cuffed her arm in mine, encouraging me to walk. “What’s going on with you and Marquise?” she asked.
I released the pinned air in my lungs. “He is impossible. Marquise doesn’t respect that I work for you. He always wants me on the phone with him. We are on the verge of announcing your tour dates, and I’m going to be busy. I respect hisprofession, but he doesn’t respect mine because he knows you, Jhae,” I said.
She chuckled. “What are you and Marquise, anyway?” she asked.
