“Sup, you look good,” I told her and drove off.
I let the music in the car set the vibe for us while I drove. Phoebe turned slightly toward me. “Are you ready for the big game? I know you’re not playing but—”
I sucked my teeth as I shifted in my seat. “Fuck that game. Niggas on the court can’t handle the pressure.”
She rolled her eyes, causing me to look at her. “What?”
“You’re doing the most. I get it, you're upset you can’t play, butyou're on a team. Nigga, you can’t carry the team alone even if you were out there.”
“Shitting me.”
“Okay, Kobe no Bryant.”
I laughed as I nodded. “Oh, so you got jokes. Baby, you don’t know the game like I do.”
Her brows raised. “I know more than you think. It’s clear you think you’re the LeBron of it all. You won’t get anywhere by being bitter. I’ve seen you play. You’re good or whatever, but you won’t get drafted with that fucked up mentality. Pour into your team. Show them you're more than a nigga who can dribble the ball. Show them your excellence.” She winked.
I turned to glance out the window, trying my hardest not to blush like a bitch.
I had finally reached my destination, and she looked at me curiously. “An arcade?”
I shrugged. “I mean, since you're doing all that talking, let’s see what you got. I figured we could do something chill.”
I got out, hobbled around, and opened the door for her. She got out and stood pulling at her dress. I watched as her ass jiggled just enough to give me a show. I placed my hand on the small of her back, leading her inside the arcade. I figured she would think the date was cheesy, but it seemed like she was enjoying it, and that's all I cared about.
Phoebe and I played a few games she picked out until I led her toward the basketball side. “Ten is the number, for every shot I make, you kiss me. If I make all ten, then well—” I said as I looked her up and down. “—you give me head, top, top, top,” I sang.
She laughed so hard, then nodded. “For every shot I make, you tell me a reason why you like me, and if I get all ten, then what you said.”
My tongue ran over my lips. “Bet.”
I allowed her to go first. The ball rolled out, and she picked it up, tossing it in the air, wildly missing the basket. “Damnit,” she said.
“Come on, Polo Queen. Let me show you.”
The next ball rolled out, and I picked it up. I formed the arch in my hand as I held the ball. My head turned toward her, “You said I was Kobe no Bryant. I say I’m the slam dunk giant,” I told her as I released the ball from my hand.
The sound of the swoosh was like music to my fucking ears. A grin eased on my face. I leaned down to be eye level with her and just like that her soft plush lips met mine. When I pulled away, she cracked her neck. The next ball rolled out, and she picked it up. Phoebe turned to look at me. Her hand arch was similar to mine. “The first one was for play. This one is to show you that your mouth needs to be prepared, munch.” She winked and shot.
Swoosh!
I couldn’t fucking believe it.
She smiled. “I told you I know more than you think. Now spill the beans.”
I ran my hand through my locs. “I like you because you're smart, because you're beautiful, and because, although you’re hurting, beyond those pretty eyes. You too have the potential to be excellent.” I winked.
I could see her blushing, but it was all true. This vibe she and I were creating was one that I could get used to. She and I went toe for toe with the game, and little did she know whether win, lose, or draw, I was munching on that pussy regardless.
DIO
Spring break was around the corner, and a nigga was nervous. We weren’t allowed to leave campus, and I knew that left an open door for those niggas to do whatever they wanted to us. They had already broken us down so much that my body ached. I was tired, and classes weren’t letting up on my ass. I had been riding this shit out, eating every bit of it because I knew that if I could overcome this obstacle, nothing was off-limits to the things I could achieve. I was preparing my mind for Hell Week, though, because I knew that was when they were going to really turn up.
I sat on the bed, watching my phone screen. Since walking away from Samara, I had been watching her every move. I almost laughed because Chev was a genius. When he told me about what he did with Z and that necklace, there was no doubt in my mind that I would do it for Mars. The display of her movements was limited, but I could see enough for me to know she was safe.
There was a big game tonight, and the rule was we could go, but we had to be together. It was the first night since I started pledging that we weren’t required to do any work. However, I knew this was nothing but a test to see what we were doing when we were aroundpeople. The line was already on notice since Percy dropped out; it was one less nigga I needed to keep my eye on. Although Streets wasn’t playing, I was there to support his bench-warming ass. Beans had already set the play so the girls would come. It didn’t matter how hard it was for me to walk away from Samara; I still needed to see her face.
When I pulled up to the arena, I became excited. The shit was lit. There were so many people here that it reminded me of the rival football game. Blue Hawks vs Hawkins University. The school pride on both sides was immense. I cut the engine and glanced at the guys in my car.
