“I feel that,” Breeze claimed. “Plus, you got to do some rare shit. Playing for your hometown on the first go round.”
“Yeah, and I’m too hyped, man,” Harlem admitted.
Bobbing my head, I had absolutely nothing to add to the conversation. Especially right there, in that moment. Even though I would’ve normally barged in to give praises.
Ora was sitting across from me, twisting her lips, while staring at the cards in her hand, clearly avoiding eye contact with me.
Honestly, I was thinking of a way to say that I was ready to go. Hell, it was after midnight, and virtually everyone was gone, including Renny, Tarin, and Sassy, who’d pulled up to kick it for a while.
Yawning, I glanced at an oblivious Harlem. Not wanting to use any usual pet names, I tapped his arm. “I think that we should go, after this hand. It’s late, and I’m sure that my mama and Ricky are ready to shut it down.”
Harlem nodded. “Okay. We’ll head out, after this hand.” He glanced at Breeze. “Y’all heading in for the night, or y’all wanna pull up at the house, and finish catching up?”
Tucking my lips into my mouth, my eyes shifted to Breeze, awaiting his response. Nervously.
Breeze locked eyes with me, before gradually smirking. “Yeah. We can pull up.”
***
“Baby, you know what I just realized?” Harlem asked, as he rode shotgun in my G-Wagon.
I was driving us home, which was a rarity. Harlem was obviously inebriated, so I couldn’t play passenger princess.
“What’s that?” I asked, as I licked my lips. Checking the rearview mirror, I saw that Breeze was still trailing us in his Lam truck, causing my stomach to twist in knots.
“You didn’t have not one drink tonight.” He drunkenly pointed out. “What’s up with that?”
I shrugged. “I just didn’t feel like drinking. No biggie.”
“Is that right?” He reached over and grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers.
“Ummhmm.” My eyes veered back to that rearview mirror.
“Okay, baby. I…I wanna apologize about earlier today. Jinny was out of pocket, and if you don’t feel comfortable with her around the house, I’ll fire her ass.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Awe, that’s sweet of you, Harlem. But she did bring attention to something that we really haven’t been focusing on.”
“And what’s that?” He stroked the back of my hand with his thumb.
“That house is not big enough for the both of us. You have all these new brand deals. I have my books and merch. And it’s simply not enough room for both.”
“Right. That’s why we’re gonna find a realtor.”
I cut my eyes at him. “Are you looking to buy or rent?”
“You know that I aint renting shit. I’m buying.We’rebuying.”
“See…that’s what I’m trying to get at. You need more space to handle your business. Buying a house would be a great investment. Foryou. But I don’t need another house, Harlem.”
“Okay, cool. I’ll buy it. It doesn’t matter. As long as I have you with me.”
I sighed, realizing that he wasn’t catching my drift. “I’m saying, Harlem. You don’t think that you want to get used to this NBA life, before you try to commit? Don’t you want to know what it’s like to live alone?”
“Awe, fuck,” he groaned, as his head fell back into the headrest. “Come on, Summer. Please don’t start that shit again. Always trying to run. Put words in my mouth. I keep telling you that I’m here cause I wanna be. And I’ve done my thing. Fucked with randoms, and I’m good. I realized a while ago that I’m better whenever I’m with you. A relationship keeps me grounded. Disciplined. Plus, aint shit out there in these streets. Just a bunch of groupies and gold diggers, looking for a come up. And you’re literally the only girl I never have to worry about. Even though that independent shit drives me crazy sometimes, I know that I never have to question why you fuck with me. You have your own, and a nigga with money don’t move you. I love that shit, and I don’t fucking get why you try different ways to break up with me, every few weeks.”
“Because, Harlem.” I tucked my lips into my mouth. “I…I’m not right. I be doing some fucked up shit—”
“Don’t we all?” He interjected. “I know you aint perfect. Shit, me, neither. That’s the beauty of this shit.”
