When I asked her about Xavier, she gave me the same line she always had: I knew the rules. But tonight it was my rules. I didn’t want to be a hating-ass nigga and ask him, so I said nothing. I figured if she were fucking with him, it would’ve been obvious because he didn’t seem like the type to hide a shorty, especially one like Phoebe. Besides, I wasn’t even supposed to be messing with anyone anyway.
I waited in the Mercier building for her to show up. I was becoming tired of the place because I figured at some point she would invite me into her bed. When I saw her coming around the corner toward the building, a smile eased on my face. I watched as she glanced around nervously before coming toward the door. When she came inside, I went to hug her, and she pushed meoff.
“I can’t tonight. I figured I’d tell you in person rather than just not saying anything at all.”
“Fuck you mean? I haven’t had that pretty little pussy for a week now. Are you backing out?”
I could tell something was shifting in her because this had never been a problem. She fumbled with her hands. “Shit, Percy, I—”
I tossed my hand over her mouth as I pulled her to one of the rooms, dragging her in with me. “Shh,” I told her.
When the sound of Dio and the other guys came toward the building, I knew I had to hide her. She swung on me. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Phoebe, please. I’m not even supposed to be fucking with anyone. I’m trying to join Chi Kappa Chi, so please be quiet. When I walk out, give me a few minutes, then come out and leave. I will get up with you.”
“So, you’re trying to be a frat boy. That’s new.”
“Well, so is you standing me up all these times,” I whispered. “Why won’t you let us be a thing? Huh? What’s so bad about me?”
She got quiet then. “I don’t want a boyfriend,” she whispered back.
When the sounds of the guys faded, I slowly opened the door. “I knew you were on some creepy—” Dio’s word trailed off when Phoebe came out of the room behind me.
She looked at all the guys before meeting Dio’s gaze. It was like a switch went off behind his eyes. Phoebe hurried out of the building. I turned to the guys. Joshua waved me off as he walked away.
“Nigga, you’re tired.”
“That first week wasn’t enough for you. Stay on some bullshit,” Quan said as he followed behind Joshua and Brian.
Dio, however, stood there. “What was that?” he asked.
“A girl.”
“Duh, nigga! Y’all fucking or what?”
“Why? You want her or some shit?”
He sucked his teeth. “Hell nah. I got a girl, and if I caught her doing some shit like that, nigga, it would have been off with your fucking head!” he gritted. “I don’t trust you, and I damn sure don’t trust her. It ain’t my business, but you need to find yourself a new girl.”
I shoved his ass. “Nigga, what? You fucking her?” I gritted.
Dio stumbled forward and turned around. He drew his fist back and swung, hitting me right in the mouth. “Fuck nigga, I told you I don’t want her.”
Whap!
“Next time you touch me, frat or no frat, I will blow yo’ shit back!” he barked.
He and I began tussling down the dusty halls until the sound of a whistle stopped us. “The fuck is going on in here?” Big Brother Freaky Zekey shouted.
Big Brother Spitta bellowed a laugh. “Oh, niggas want tofight.”
“Down!”Jesaiah barked as he entered the building.
Dio and I dropped into a push-up position. Dio’s head slowly rolled my way.Fuck you, bitch nigga,he mouthed.
“Down!”Jesaisah shouted again. “It seems like the Slimes forgot what Chi Kappa Chi stands for!”
I blew out a sharp breath. “No, Dean Big Brother God’s Gift, we didn’t!”
