Whatever Malik was or wasn’t up to, Emani wasn’t going to worry about right now. Without him on her brain, she’d felt like she was living again. Dressed, photos of her outfit, hair and makeup uploaded to her various social media accounts, Emani was out the door with her friends with her ring and phone behind.
Courtside, she watched Jahlil play the game he loved up close and personal. She could see why the Los Oceania Hawks were willing to pay him so much. It was like a drop in the bucket while Malik was going back and forth with the front office every season about his money. Night and day.
Emani sat with her legs crossed trying to calm the intrusive thoughts and the muscle recall that sparked between them the night before. Every swish of the net, directive to his team, made up of other celebrity athletes, made focusing on the actual game hard as hell. At this rate, this pick-up game was going to go well into the night. Two back-to-back games ending in a favorable outcome for Jahlil, Noble, Tyris, Gino, and Dakari. While the other teams played for the bracket spots, Emani sat on a bench and people-watched in peace after taking a hundred selfies and signing autographs.
Jahlil strolled over and took a seat next to her. “You know, I used to dream of the day you were sitting courtside watching me.”
Emani gave him a small smile. “You know you’re not half bad. I see you remembered everything I taught you.”
“Yeah, controlling the tempo of the game has taken me a long way,” he replied, looking down at her. “You look good.”
“I always do.”
“You’re right. But you look like you’re not weighted. What’s that about?”
“The ring and that phone are at the house. I’m trying to just stay in the moment.”
Jahlil lifted her left hand up and examined it. “I like it like that. Until I put mine on it.”
“Jahlil, don’t come over here talking your shit to me.”
“I’m being for real. Watch.”
Emani rolled her eyes. “Anyway, how’s your daughter? Ready for you to come back home?”
“Yeah, kind of. I talked to her this morning and she claims I cannot come back without you.”
“Why does your daughter know who I am?”
“Because I’m a bad influence,” he said with laughter. “Rapping and cursing, cursing and rapping and she’s probably your youngest and biggest fan.”
Emani covered her face. “That is embarrassing.”
Jahlil laughed moving her hands from her face and back in his possession. “Don’t be embarrassed now. You’re the one who said ‘I’m a pretty chick, on that homie, lover, friend shit. That gutter chick, on that knock a bitch head off shit.’”
“I did and I didn’t lie.”
“Nah, you only lie when you’re trying to hide your feelings,” Jahlil stated, sitting back, her hand still in his hold. “You see where we’re sitting.”
Emani looked up, around and back at him. “Ah hell, let me get up.”
Jahlil laughed. “I meant it then and I mean it now. You’ll see. Keep your eyes on me when I move that nigga out my way to get what’s mine.”
“A reminder of what my pussy feels like and you talkin’ tough.”
Jahlil kissed his teeth. “Come on, E. You know better. The only one needing a reminder here is you.”
She gulped and groaned. “We have eyes on us.”
“Fuck them cameras. Let that nigga punch the air. You were mine years ago when I told you that right here the first time. You mine right now.”
“You get on my nerves so damn bad.”
“I know. I hope you enjoyed your break from me.”
“Hated it actually,” she muttered.
“I did too.”
