“Oh, I hope it wasn’t too heavy. I would’ve hated to have thrown you off your game.”
“No, it wasn’t. It was…” His sentence faded sentimentally. “I needed that. Thank you.”
I smiled. “It was from the heart, so I’m glad you appreciated it.”
Two masculine voices started talking so loudly in the background that it sounded like they were on the phone with us. Then it turned into a chant to which Lamar laughed.
“What are they saying?” I asked curiously.
“Hollywood,” he answered with a light chuckle. “They gave me a game ball and said I was no longer LA—I’m Hollywood because I’m a star.”
“Youarea star! That’s so cute!” I let out an excited yelp. “I’m so happy for you!”
Someone turned the music up, and I could barely hear him.
“It’s a lot going on here, but I just wanted to call and thank you. We’re about to get on the bus to head to the airport. I’ll probably get home around midnight. I know you’ll be asleep, so I just wanted to say good night.”
My stomach fluttered. “Good night. Send me a text when you get home. I’ll be asleep, but at least when I wake up, I’ll know you’re good.”
“I’ll do that.” He paused. “I think we get directly on a plane when we get to the airport, but I’m not sure. I don’t know how this works. I just… wanted to give you a call and hear your voice.”
“Well, I’m glad you did,” I told him. “And I know I texted it, but as a football lover, as a Monarchs fan, and as your… friend, I just want you to hear me say I’m proud of you and happy for you. Byeeee, Lamar.” I sang the goodbye and his name.
“Bye, Jazz.”
The call disconnected while I still had the phone pressed to my ear.Giddywas the only word that could describe how I felt.
I called Aunt Addy to talk to her about the game, but my mom answered and told me she was sleeping. We talked for about ten minutes, but I couldn’t tell her anything about Lamar because she would’ve asked a million questions. I wanted to call my best friends and tell them, but Nina was preparing for the biggest event of her career, and Aaliyah was introducing Ahmad to her family. My work friends would’ve been excited to hear that I knew Lamar, but I didn’t want them in my business like that. So I grabbed my laptop and channeled all my giddy energy into my novel.
I went to bed a little later than usual, so when I woke up feeling groggy, I wasn’t surprised. I reached for my phone to turn off the alarm, and I saw a text that had come in while I was asleep.
Lamar Anderson:Me not telling you how often I think about you and how bad I want to see you, touch you, taste you, and fuck you is just me trying to be respectful. If you want me to be a little less respectful, I’d tell you that I liked you before I had you. And since I’ve had you, I can’t evenbeat my meat without thinking about you. I’m home and I need to see you soon.
That woke me right up. It was a good thing I was on my way to take a shower because my panties were soaked.
Jazmyn Payne:Can you meet me at my place tomorrow please?
Lamar Anderson:Yes.
20
I woke up Tuesday morning a few minutes before my alarm like a kid on Christmas.Exciteddidn’t even fully encapsulate how I felt about seeing Lamar. When I walked into the school, I had an extra pep in my step.
The school day dragged a little bit because I kept checking the clock. I found myself randomly smiling between classes as I thought about how I wanted to celebrate his big game. My body was almost vibrating in anticipation of a reunion with Lamar. And when the final bell rang, I grabbed my bag and damn near ran to the parking lot. I dug my keys out of my handbag, and in the process, my phone fell between the seat and the middle console.
“Shit,” I muttered, sticking my hand in the space to see if I could feel it. Knowing I was going to have to move my seat back, I decided to just worry about that when I got home.
I pulled out of the teachers’ lot, fully intending to speed to my apartment complex. But in my planning, I didn’t account for the fact that school buses would be dropping kids off on my route.
And I got caught behind one.
It was a quarter to four when I finally pulled into my parking spot. Lamar was going to be there any minute, so I was pressed for time. Moving my seat, I was able to access my phone. While checking it for scratches, I noticed the text notification and missed call from Lamar. Grabbing the rest of my stuff, I hurried to my apartment. Dumping my bags in the living room, I opened his texts. And froze.
Lamar Anderson:I’m sorry Jazz. A four o’clock meeting came up that I can’t reschedule. If it’s over at five, I can make it down there by six.
Lamar Anderson:Call me as soon as you get this. Please.
Disappointment punched me in the gut. I didn’t realize how bad I wanted to see him until the chance had been snatched away fromme. I looked at the time, and it was five minutes before his meeting. I contemplated texting instead of calling since it was about to be four o’clock, but before I knew what I was doing, the phone was ringing.
