“I’m Sandi now?” Donnée snipped.
“Apparently, she caught whatever Malachi has,” Emani said with a shrug. “What?”
“Malachi is “sick” so Joanna had Derrick doing all her work. Sandi caught something from the “sick” Malachi and I’m doing her work. You got to fire these hoes. They’re playing in your face and you’re letting them. Malik too. Send all them bitches stepping.”
“I can tell you what, whatever is happening will show itself. Just be ready when it does because I have a feeling it’s going to piss me off. Anyway, what am I doing besides rehearsal and the interview?”
“Pool party at the house,” Donnée stated casually.
“Uh uh pool party,” Derrick objected, walking back into the room, food and coffee in tow. “Joanna didn’t send me anything for a pool party.”
“Because she doesn’t think about the what if’s. I’ll get you a swimsuit and let’s not even worry about the hair for real until tomorrow for the pick-up game. She’s going to be courtside and the internet is buzzing about you and Jahlil. They’ve dug up old photos and everything. You have to be cordial and fly as fuck.”
“What’s in this for me?” Emani questioned, sarcastically.
Derrick started to take her braids down and sassed. “I don’t know, maybe some of that sixty dollar dick. No change.”
Emani snorted in laughter. “I hate you so bad.”
“I know that man still holds a flame for you because he just lets you talk to him any kind of way. And I love it.”
“He does too,” Donnée mumbled. “Derrick, make her cute, we got a bathing suit to find. One that’ll piss Malik off…bad.”
“You play too much,” Emani huffed, picking up a tray of food. Two eggs over hard, skillet potatoes and bacon. With all the food Emani used to “burrow” from the Eagles Nest, Jahlil would make breakfast for her and Andrew before running off to practice. There was note with it every morning and in the air of nostalgia, Emani looked for it.
Derrick handed her the receipt with a smirk on his face. “Yeah, I read it. Let him fold you up and don’t tell Malik shit.”
Emani took the receipt and looked at the note at the bottom – remember who you are. She bit a soft smile. Derrick and Donnée shared a look and let her live in that space where the smile came with ease and a sigh of relief. She deserved that.
12 /JAHLIL
The music was blasting,their line brothers were scattered about the backyard and pool area enjoying the food and drinks before Donnée ushered in her sorority sisters. After last night’s thirst fest, Jahlil wanted nothing more than to kick back and enjoying having a few days to himself to reset before the season.
“Who invited that nigga?” Carson asked taking a seat by Jahlil. That nigga he was referring to was no other than Daniel Jones. “Lena coming?”
“Doubt it but keep his ass away from E,” Jahlil spoke frowning at the thought of Emani knocking in his mouth the way he deserved.
“You already know I’m never about a round two on that bitch ass nigga. How was last night?”
Jahlil cut him a look. “You know how last night was. You know her.”
“Did she sleep?”
“Not at all. Does she ever sleep?”
Carson frowned. “You know how she is. Work, hardly no play on top of that she got a nigga that might be threatened by your presence.”
Jahlil rumbled in laughter. “He fuckin’ should be. If I was that nigga I’d be kissing her ass at every second instead of making all these waves online.”
“All he’s doing is putting asses in seats. Hawks haven’t done shit or been this exciting since we broke the news. Let his dumbass do the heavy lifting. Making space for you on the team and with her,” Carson threw his head in the direction of Emani and Donnée walking out of the house. Donnée wore a bikini with a shear cover up over it but to anyone looking hard enough they could see all she had to offer. Emani on the other hand walked in with a cover up hanging off of her shoulders, a mini dress, floppy hat over her natural curls and sandals. It was evident by her outfit she showed up to look cute and be a spectator.
Emani looked in the direction of Jahlil and Carson and opted to go sit in the corner behind the bar. The look on her face unreadable.
“Oh she’s mad at you,” Jahlil joked. “She looked like she wanted to Sparta kick me off the damn porch last night.”
“But did she?” Carson posed. “That’s growth. The Emani I used to know would kick your ass first then ask questions.”
“You ain’t lying,” Jahlil said with a chuckle. “Remember when she hung Ashton upside down because he ate her leftovers.”
