Sin chuckled and shook his head. I was going to put in a complaint to the head of security for having such dumb-ass guards. All I had to say was Pen was my woman, and I eased right past those muthafuckas. Shaking my head, I peered down the court at the two guards, now angry because any nigga could've gotten to Pen. See, her muthafuckin' ass had me thinking and behaving irrationally as fuck.
The fact that I wanted any woman's lips touching mine at all had me glaring at Pen as she purposely switched past me before joining her team for warmups. She didn't so much as glance my way, causing me to mumble under my breath. I'd never been pressed about a woman. I had too many to give a fuck about one. So, why I gave a damn about Pen bothered me more than a little bit. The way she dismissed me made me wonder if shewasn't into men. I wouldn't be surprised. That's the only thing that would explain her having an issue with me.
Telling me I wasn't on her level had me glaring at her again. The fuck was that shit supposed to mean? She really had looked her nose down at me, and the rejection irked my soul.
Twenty minutes later, the tip-off started. I settled into my seat to watch the game even though I didn't even like women's basketball. It was nothing against the athletes. I just never paid them too much attention. Within minutes, the way Pen finessed the court hypnotized me. She was a natural shooter, one that commanded double-teams and shit whenever the ball was in her hands.
A few times after going up for a jumper, she met the deck, much to my dismay. She'd bounce back up and not complain about the contact while I was squirming in my seat, ready to 'cause some problems. She was so smooth with the ball that I was lowkey impressed.
Damn, if she didn't have that stank-ass attitude, she and I could’ve been cool. Just as I thought it, she went out for a fast break, copping a layup and a foul. The crowd erupted in cheers while the player, who'd fouled her, argued with the refs. One thing I noticed was that Pen didn't do too much talking on the court. Her sister, however, was another beast. I could tell lil' baby was used to playing street ball just by how she handled herself on the court.
The team's coach strutted the sideline in her heels, coolly calling plays. She looked mighty damn young to be a professional coach, but from where I sat, she was doing a damn good job. Her team was up by ten as the game slid into halftime.
I passed the time by checking my missed messages and calls. Several numbers, which I didn't save, were highlighted in red. The messages all read the same:Can I see you tonight?I left all of them bitches on read and found myself scouring socialmedia for Penelope. I found her mugging profile picture on her Instagram page.
She had on a scrappy bikini that showed just what the hell I knew was underneath the clothes she wore. Her skin was perfect like she'd been created from the finest milk chocolate. Again, my eyes settled on her lips. As if I could taste them, I licked my lips.
A text from my mama interrupted my thoughts.
Ma:Hey, son. Haven't heard from you tonight. Yo' ass better be safe.
Laughing, I hurried up and texted my mama back.
Me:Yes, I'm safe, Ma. I'm at a game with Sin.
There was no hiding shit from my mama. I never had. I wasn't sure how Sin, Brooklyn, and I ended up being born into the best family in the world, but it was so. My parents, Justin and Karen, were like the Obamas of the family. My daddy was more poised and reserved, while my mother was outspoken and confident. Let my daddy tell it, I got my mouth from her.
Ma: *eye roll emoji* Not at dinner with a woman, but at a game with Sin. I'm gonna die without grandkids *sad face emoji*
My face contorted.
Me:Don't be talkin' 'bout dying, Ma. That ain't cool. I'ma give you some snotty nose ass grandkids one day. Right now, I'm just chillin'.
Ma:Don't you call my grandkids snot nose! You never had a snotty nose, by the way. Don't play with me, Zeus Mathias Smith! I'll get ya daddy on you!
I grinned then.
Me:Tell that old man we can run it.
Seconds later, my phone vibrated with a FaceTime call, causing me to laugh. Goading my mother was like poking a cobra.
"Who can run it?" she asked as soon as her face appeared.
"Nobody, Ma," I replied. I could barely hear her from all the noise in the arena.
"Oh, 'cause I thought you were comin' for my man. Don't do that," she warned.
Grinning, I said, "Never."
"Where's my nephew?" she questioned.
Sin took the phone and started talking to my mother while my eyes scanned the tunnel to see if the players were headed back out. My only focus was on Pen. I wondered if she was the type to have her man's back the way my mama had my daddy's back. Then again, Pen couldn't stand my ass, so why did I care?
No matter how fascinated I was about the way she balled, Pen's stuck-up ass got on my damn nerves. As she jogged back onto the court, our eyes locked. For a moment, I thought I saw interest there. Then, she rolled them bitches right past me like I wasn't shit.
CHAPTER 6
NAOMI
