5. Givens
GIVENS
“Why is it that you never listen?” Pyrite said, dropping down into the seat next to me.
I shrugged, not taking my eyes off Mercy as she talked with two reps.
It was press day for the Queens, and the team would announce their youth team rosters later tonight.
Mercy still hadn’t hit me up, so I was here. I didn’t like being ignored.
“What do you mean?” I questioned, even though I had an idea.
“Mercy,” Pyrite grunted. “I told you to leave her alone, and I thought you listened; then I got a call from Zach saying that Morning hit him up about the situation with the couple at the gym.”
“Who is Morning?” I kept watching Mercy.
She was standing next to Legacy, posing for the camera.
They were good together, shit, to be honest, they were amazing together.
Legacy was the best point guard in the league, and Mercy was the best post. They dominated in college, and having them back together now would be a sight.
“Her family lawyer,” Pyrite answered, and I nodded. “Now, you care to explain why he would be needed?” I glanced at him and smirked. “Do you know the price tag for Morning to show his face on a business call?”
“She needs it back or something?” I turned my attention back to Mercy and wiped my hand over my mouth. Money wasn’t an issue; I’d have whatever she spent back in her account plus more within the hour.
“No,” Pyrite chuckled. “Money ain't the issue.”
“Then what are you yapping about?”
“You being hard-headed is the issue,” he answered, and I grunted. The door to the gym opened, and I kissed my teeth at the sight of Javien, immediately pissed off.
“The fuck is he doing here?” I turned to Pyrite and asked. “This shit is supposed to be closed to the public.”
“Javien is here with Mercy,” Pyrite laughed. “I think they are dating.”
“For how long?” I questioned and turned back to watch Mercy and Javien interact. When she smiled at him, all I saw was red, this nigga had her attention and hard. The way they moved around each other was intimate.
“Don’t know,” Pyrite answered. I could hear the smile in his voice, and it didn’t do shit but piss me off more. What the fuck was this nigga so happy about? “All I know is he makes her happy.”
“Not for long.” I looked over at him and then stood. The smile on his face dropped, and I chuckled.
“Givens, don’t do anything you’re going to regret,” Pyrite tried to warn, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t about to regret shit. I always stood on business. “Legit, my nigga, let her be.”
“Nah,” I said, shaking my head. “She belongs to me.”
I stepped away before Pyrite could say anything else and made my way to Mercy. Legacy gave me a subtle nod before stepping to the side. Without hesitation, I approached Mercy and threw my arm around her.
“Let’s get a few shots for behind the scenes, okay?” Sunday Rollins said as she lowered her camera. She was the official photographer for the Kings and Queens and did a damn good job. We were lucky to have her.
“What kind of pictures?” Mercy asked as she looked around. She didn’t try to move away from me or look to be uncomfortable. I chuckled when I saw Javien’s eyes lock on my hand as I played with her ponytail.
“I got an idea,” Sunday said with a laugh. “Givens, is your jersey still in the locker room?”
“Yeah, why? What’s up?” I asked. I was down for whatever Sunday had in mind, as long as it kept me close to Mercy.
“Go change into your uniform, then come back,” Sunday suggested, and I nodded.
“Bet, give me a minute.” I handed Mercy my phone and keys. “Hold these for me, DeCorte.” I walked away without giving her a chance to respond and went to the locker room.
Even though I hadn’t worked out, I took a quick shower to wash away the day from my skin.
After I handled my hygiene, put on lotion, and a pair of black boxer briefs, I stepped out of the private bathroom and saw Javien sitting on the bench next to my locker.
Nigga wasn’t worth shit on the court but walked around like he had rings.
I chuckled and shook my head, not giving a fuck, as I made my way to my locker.
“I’m just going to ask,” Javien started as I grabbed my shorts from the locker.
I didn’t give a fuck about what he was talking about.
“Watch yourself around Mercy.” He stood up as if his word was bond and I was supposed to do what he said.
This nigga had no idea how wrong he was. “She belongs to me.”
“She knows that?” I questioned with a laugh, even though I was pissed the fuck off.
Was this nigga trying to make a claim like she was a damn dog or something?
Shit was little nigga status, and I wasn’t a little nigga.
I pulled my jersey over my head before turning to Javien.
His bitch ass had the audacity to try and stare me down.
“Because the last time I checked, DeCorte was a grown-ass woman who could make her own decisions. If she wanted me to back off, she would say just that.”
“Nah, see,” Javien said, shaking his head and laughing softly. “You don’t know how I do shit. I claimed Mercy, niggas in the league know to stay away from her.” He wiped his hand over his mouth and shrugged. “Now, when I’m finished, go right ahead if you want my leftovers.”
“Yeah?” I let out a humorless and nodded.
“Yeah,” Javien answered. “I got plans to smash right after this; if the pussy is decent, I’ll let you know.”
“How are you gonna do that?” I asked as I pulled on my socks and stepped into my shoes.
The fact that this nigga was bold enough to think I was going to let this slide was crazy.
I nodded while I tied up my shoes, not giving a fuck about how much this was going to cost me. I put respect over money any day.
“I got a live on the black web that I post to every few nights. I’ll slide you the address,” Javien chuckled. “I make a few heavy stacks from fuckin’ on bitches. They are usually down for it, and if they aren’t, I have a drink that’ll calm them down.”
“Legit?” I laughed, and he nodded. This nigga was boasting about raping a woman on camera, thinking I was going to be cool with it. His bitch ass was going to be dead soon.
“How about this? I’ll drop you the location tonight for a party; show up, look around, and see what you like. If anything catches your eye, go for it.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Anything besides Mercy.”
“Bet.” I nodded, and Javien smiled. “Let me get back out here and take care of this impromptu photo shoot that Sunday wants.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, not knowing he was setting himself up for failure.
“Speaking of Sunday, I think I’ma invite her fine ass, too.
She can be next on my list of fucks.” Javien laughed loudly.
“As a matter of fact, I’ma invite Legacy, too.
She ain't my speed, but I know a few niggas that’ll hit her little ass. ”
I nodded, not trusting my own words at this moment. Javien left the locker room, and I chuckled; this nigga had royally fucked up. Plotting, I left the locker room and returned to the photo shoot.
“Took you long enough, Givens,” Sunday laughed as I stepped back into the gym. In the short time I’d been gone, they’d switched up the photo shoot area and now had a highback chair in the middle of the court.
“You ain’t even looking my direction; how you know I was coming?
” I chuckled as I made my way inside. The small crew that was working with Sunday was working their ass off to keep up with whatever vision she had in her head that she needed to get out.
Occasionally, one would stop and glance at me, but never for too long.
“It’s my job to see what nobody else does,” Sunday said with a laugh. She stepped around Mercy and lowered her camera. “It’s the reason I’m paid the big bucks.”
“True,” I agreed. “Now, where do you want me?”
“Behind her,” she answered, and I raised my brow. Sunday had no idea how often I thought about stepping behind Mercy and putting in that work. I chuckled and shook my head; my gutter-ass thoughts weren’t what she was talking about.
“Doing what exactly?” I questioned as I stared Mercy down. She looked like a queen sitting at her thrown; instead of an overdramatic ass dress, she was in her uniform, looking fine as fuck. I adjusted my dick in my shorts and walked towards her. “Cuz, I got a few ideas.”
“Grab a ball and show out behind her,” Sunday answered with a soft laugh. “Do you.”
I grabbed a ball from the rack and dribbled it between my legs as I walked toward Mercy.
Her dark eyes never left me, and I smirked.
I took a few shots to warm up before jogging to the rim and dunking.
The sound of Sunday’s camera clicked nonstop, but I was in a zone.
It didn’t matter if it was one person or a hundred thousand sitting in the stands; I always went hard and put on a show.
“That’s it, that’s the shot!” Sunday yelled as I dunked.
I let go of the rim and landed on my feet.
Mercy stood at the top of the key with a ball under her arm and her back to Sunday.
Her dark eyes were locked on me, her head was titled to the side, but her eyes were filled with lust. She licked her lips slowly, and I smirked.