“You’ve turned into a family man, huh?”
“Something like that. Zea’s cool. I like having a little sister. She keeps me on my toes. Doesn’t let me get away with anything. And she appreciates every little thing. That’s my blood.”
Jalen smiles. “I’m not knocking it. My brothers are my motivation. They look up to me, and I only want to do good by them. I’m happy for you.”
I nod. “I been out here alone for a long time. It’s nice to have someone.”
“How are things with your girl?”
I can’t hide my smile. “I’m taking it slow and being around. I think she’s warming up to me.”
“That’s all you can do. I hope she takes you back. I told you before, but she’s good for you.”
“She is.”
After an uneventful week, Saturday rolls around, and it’s me and Zea rolling up to the park adjacent to the stadium. She’s like a tourist with her head out the window and her mouth open in a wide smile.
“Whoa.”
I smile over at her, then look at what’s before me from her point of view. Her reaction fits. This is a lot. There’s carnival rides, inflatables, food trucks. It’s a block party for rich people.
“Everything’s included, so go crazy. No to-go bags though, okay?”
“Can I text my mom and tell her to come?”
I take my sister’s face in. She’s almost lost all of her baby face, and looks a lot like me and my dad, just pretty. She can have whatever she wants. “Yeah, she’d like this.”
Zea bops her shoulders. “And maybe she can find me a step-dad.”
I snort laugh. “It’s a possibility.”
She takes her phone out and her fingers fly over the screen.
“Tell her to text me when she gets here, and I’ll make sure she can get in.”
We show our ids at the security gate, and enter. It’s not too crowded or hot, and I apologize to Drummond in my head for all the terrible things I thought about this. I need to get better at going with the flow. Drummond is a business man, and he knows what he’s doing.
“Javonte!”
Speak of the bossman. “Hey Drummond!” We dap up, and he greets my sister. Drummond was the first person I told when I learned about Zea. He helped me navigate making contact and establishing that she actually was my sister. He even set up our first meeting.
“This is nice,” I tell him.
“I know,” he says, like the compliment was offensive.
I chuckle. “I didn’t want to come.”
He rolls his eyes at me and nudges Zea with his elbow. “This guy. The most anti-social player on the team.”
“His circle is very small. Almost just a single dot,” Zea teases.
“Don’t do tag team me. I’m sensitive.” I put my hand on my chest.
“Only when it comes to Lily,” Zea says.
I scowl at her. She would bring her up right now.
“She’s going to be here,” Drummond leans in and tells me.
