XAVIER
PRESSPLAY
After getting chewed out not only by the RA but also by my coach, who was now forcing me to either enter the mentoring program for spring break or be kicked off the team, I needed this night. I need a moment of relief because a nigga was about to explode. My brother and friends were here, and I just wanted to relax. I knew the incident between Percy and me wasn’t over, but for now, I didn’t have to deal with it.
I stood in the small booth section with the gang as we enjoyed the overly crowded club. Hoodoo’s was so packed that the fire marshals were bound to show up. Scooter bobbed his head, taking a drink back while Morgan shook her ass all on him. Paige and Samara did their little girl dance in one corner, while Alyse and Jalen sat behind me, being all cutesy and shit. Beans walked away to link up with his fraternity, and I stood there trying my best to redirect what I was feeling.
I messaged Phoebe and asked her to come up here. I knew she was likely still upset about the Apple issue, and although it wasn’t necessary, I felt I needed to explain myself. The silence between usstarted to bother me. She said she would come, but I hadn’t seen her face yet. There was a tap on my arm. I turned to see it was Jalen.
You good?He signed.
I’m straight. You like this type of shit, don’t you?
He smirked.Yeah, shit straight. I’m around you and Alyse. I can’t complain.
I nodded.You should apply. I know you’ll get in.
He shook his head.Nigga, we don’t have money for that.
If there is a will, there is a way. This could change all that for you.
He glanced around before looking back at me.Me doing your work starting to get to you?
I turned to see if Alyse was looking. As soon as my eyes landed on her, she looked away, but I knew she caught it.
Yeah. I want to try on my own. My problems are not yours. With this whole “being hurt” thing, it’s going to be a minute before I’m back on the court.
We’ll talk for real. Have fun,he finished as he stepped back toward his girl.
I picked up the bottle and took a swig. Samara and Paige left the area we were in and headed toward the dance floor. My eyes scanned the club, and that was when I saw her come in.
“Fine as shit,” I mumbled.
Her eyes searched around, and I knew she was looking for me. A nigga didn’t want to be thirsty and wave my hand in the air, so I stood there watching her until, at some point, she noticed me. However, she walked over to some nigga in the corner. He gripped her ass as his chin rested on her bare belly. I shook my head because I knew I wasn’t the only one, but damn, did the nigga have to be in the same space as me? Especially after it was me who invited her tonight. Right then, I knew that anything I wanted to explain to her, I wasn’t.
“Hey, Xavier,” Gabbie said as she stood in front of me.
I gave her a quick head nod. “What’s up with you?” I asked.
She smiled. “You.”
“Bet.”
Gabbie turned around and started dancing all on me. She moved her hips and ass so good, it made me look down. I nodded while watching her ass move.
“I see you, nigga!” Scooter yelled.
Before I knew it, I started moving. I moved along with her. When I glanced up, Beans and his fraternity began moving through the club. They bounced up and down, showing off just as they did in the yard. The girls melted while the niggas hated. I took a quick glance at Gabbie, who smiled over her shoulder. My head shot up to see Phoebe standing in front of us, staring. I hit her with a wink and continued to dance. Just as I was about to look down, I realized shit was about to get bad because I spotted Dio in the far back with a hoodie on his head. The nigga looked certified crazy, and the way his eyes were devouring Samara, I knew this shit wasn’t going to end well.
“Beans!” I tried shouting, but the nigga was deep in that strolling shit.
“Fuck!” I tapped Gabbie’s side to get her to move.
As soon as she did, and I limped forward, the fucking Gray and Gold started to stroll.
“Fuck!”
There was so much going on that I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to Dio fast enough. I just prayed like hell the nigga didn’t show his ass.
