“Huh?” I frowned, feigning confusion.
“If you can huh, you can hear, lil’ girl. It’s time to stop this game, where we pretend that I don’t see what’s going on around here. The thing is…I haven’t been saying anything, because…I created the environment for you to have in-house dick.”
“Ma.” I whipped my head around.
She rolled her eyes. “Girl, stop it. You’re legal now, Summer. And we both know that you’re no virgin. So, let’s stop playing. It’s clear as day that you and Breeze have something going on. All of sudden you just break up with poor Harlem. Breeze doesn’t bring any girls over. Nor is he ever on the phone, talking to girls. It’s just you and him. Running around here, whispering. Leaving for hours at the same time, whenever I’m at home for too long. The boy even goes to HEB to buy your pads when it’s that time of the month.”
“Right,” I sighed, waiting on her to go off.
“Only God knows what y’all do around here when we’re at work. But…that’s on me. I made the decision to move him and Ricky in here. Even wondered if y’all were attracted to one another. And truthfully…I’m not mad. Breeze is an incredible student. Mannerable. Handsome. And honestly? You guys make sense. I can definitely see y’all together. Down the line.”
My heart skipped a beat, as I glanced back. “Down the line? Why not now?”
“Because he has a lot of potential…but y’all are young. So, I feel like if y’all insist on seriously being together now, it’s gonna turn toxic. Because y’all both need more experience. And I’m not basing this purely off y’all ages. Because some people just know,and they end up with a great story of how they started out young. But it’s different for you and Breeze. You’re gorgeous. Already have a thriving writing career…that will only grow…and you like thrill seeking. Meanwhile, Breeze will probably get drafted into the NBA. And even if he doesn’t…he’s going to be something special. The both of y’all are going to face heavy temptation. And I believe that both of you are susceptible to folding. But with some worldly experience first…y’all could be beautiful together.”
I gulped, processing what she’d said. “Okay. So, basically, you’re saying that I should have fun for now…but not take him too seriously?”
She nodded. “For the time being.”
I shook my head. “I guess. You’re making sense, but you gotta remember that I’m 18. Immature. And have to learn the hard way. So…I don’t know what to tell you, girl.”
Breeze
“Aye, Breeze, hold up!”
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw my teammate, Rory jogging in my direction, while I halted my stroll down the hallway, outside of the boys’ locker room.
“What’s up?” I questioned as he approached me.
“Man, I been meaning to holler at you.”
“About what?”
“Your uh…step sister. Summer. I know that her and Harlem broke up, and I haven’t seen her kicking it with nobody else. So, I wanna know what’s up. And I figured that you could…put me down. I honestly wanna take her to prom.”
I looked him up and down, while imagining myself knocking his teeth out. But I couldn’t crash out like that. Besides, he was literally the fourth teammate to ask me some shit like this. And probably wouldn’t be the last.
They were shooting their shot, and maybe I was supposed to respect that. But I didn’t. The shit was irksome, as they were openly lusting after her, like some fucking blood hounds.
“No, nigga. That aint happening,” I chided.
“Damn. It’s like that?” He opened his arms.
“Yeah, it’s like that, nigga. Matter of fact, don’t even think about approaching her. Cause, on my mama, I’ma slide you.”
“Slide me?” He scowled.
I nodded. “Fucking right.”
Sucking his teeth, he stepped around me, before stomping off. Undoubtedly, he felt a way about what I’d just said, but he also knew that I was a knock-out artist, with a quick temper. So, moving around had definitely been in his best interest.
Nixing that encounter off, I sped walked to the student parking lot, wanting to catch up with Summer, before she could pull off. It was the end of the day, and I was trying to see if she was down to take a ride with me to 5thWard to see my mama ‘nem.
At this point, she’d met the whole fam. On my daddy and mama’s side. Everybody loved her, and knew her as my gal versus my pops’ girlfriend’s daughter.
Funnily, me and Summer would discuss everything under the sun, but had never discussed any labels. After a while, it was just implied. She was mine and I was hers. And there was no bullshit between.
Ironically, I had been somewhat of a commitment phob, but then jumped head-first into it with her. It honestly came natural, as she was everything I loved in a girl. I would even go as far as saying that I was in love with her. And that shit had me on edge.
