13. Givens
GIVENS
“Alright, you sayin’ you are trying to talk to her,” I laughed at Hood as I moved through my house. It was quiet because Faylin was still at Shai’s, and the shit didn’t feel right. I was ready for my baby girl to come home. “Yet, I can’t fuck with her best friend.”
“I’m not trying to talk to Legacy,” Hood replied. I cut on the TV in the living room and dropped onto the couch.
“Then what the fuck are you taking her on a date for?” I kissed my teeth in annoyance and shook my head. Hood could lie to them other niggas, but not to me. “Cuz that’s what it sounds like to me.”
“Cuz I can, nigga,” he answered, and I laughed. “The fuck you laughin’ for, G?”
“Cuz you are trying real hard to convince me that this ain’t shit, and I know you,” I answered. “Legacy suburban ass got you chasing behind her and probably ain’t did shit but bat her lashes at you.”
“She legit suburban, too,” Hood laughed. “The most hood shit she done is ride through the city with Mercy ass.”
I took the phone from my ear, hit the speaker button, and pulled up IG. The pictures from the photo shoot were dropped earlier, and my texts had been going off nonstop.
“Speaking of Mercy, you check them pictures out?” I asked as I swiped the screen. I couldn’t front, Sunday did a bomb-ass job, and every last one was dope. “The way this shit is looking, I might have to step away from ball and become a model.”
“Nigga, please,” he replied. “The only reason your pictures look half decent is because Mercy is in them. I know for a fact Sunday had to use a lot of photoshop to get you to look somewhat presentable.” I could hear the smile in his voice, even though he was talking shit.
“What?” I laughed in disbelief. “Do you know how fucking fine I am? Nigga, stop fronting. I beat hoes off with a stick on the daily.”
“They want you cuz you’re rich,” Hood laughed. “Shit, Mercy is only giving you a chance cuz her favorite rapper is Glo.”
“Nigga, what the fuck does Glo have to do with Mercy realizing I’m her forever?” I kissed my teeth and waited. Knowing Hood like I do, I knew this nigga was going to say something off the wall.
“Her forever?!” he yelled, then laughed. “Nigga, what kind of declaration is that?”
“Man, I'm not even about to fake it, Hood. Mercy is definitely getting my last name.” I double-tapped on a picture of us standing on the court: I was palming the ball, and Mercy flexed. Shit looked dope as hell. “I bet we are the first husband and wife to win a championship.”
“Damn, it’s like that?” he questioned.
“Just like that,” I replied. “I know you and Pyrite tried warning me, but I didn’t hear you for good reason. Mercy is different.”
“Then I’m going to shut up,” Hood said, and I nodded. “Just know she legit is good people. A little off but shit, all the DeCortes are.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, then stood. “Listen, I gotta get to the gym for a quick workout; I’ll stop by your office once I’m done.”
“I’m not going to be here,” he said. “I got a meeting with Pyrite, and then I’m going to check on something.”
“By something, you mean Legacy?” I asked and laughed.
“Nigga, just let me be, alright? I just said I wasn’t going to give you shit for fucking with Mercy. Don’t make me regret it cuz you got jokes about what I might be doing with Legacy.”
“Alright, imma chill,” I said as I went to my room. I started jogging up the stairs but stopped midway. “Ay, you cool with the DeCorte’s, right?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I know them through Pyrite. Why?”
“Why does Krude call Mercy ‘Hell Raiser’?” I couldn’t help but ask, especially since Pyrite and Hood tried warning me so much about her in the beginning.
“You haven’t seen her mad yet, huh?” he asked with a laugh.
“Nah,” I answered, shaking my head.
“Just wait,” he said. “And just so you know, she ain’t even the worse one.”
“Who is?”
Hood laughed at my question and then hung up the phone without answering.
“Let’s play.” I dribbled the ball between my legs and grilled Faylin.
She’d been quiet since I picked her up from her mama's house last night.
I knew my baby; she had something on her mind and was trying to work it out.
I usually respected her process, but the way she looked at me made me ready to end whatever the problem was.
“I’m not in the mood,” she said, shaking her head. My mind returned to when she was a little girl and wore her hair in a million braids and barrettes.
“When have you ever not wanted to play?” I asked as I came to sit next to her. I had a full court in my backyard and the basement, but I preferred being outside in the fresh air. I gently bumped my shoulder against hers and waited.
“Daddy, you wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” she asked, and I shook my head. “Are you ever going to get back with mommy?”
“Where did that come from?” To say I was surprised was an understatement. Shai and I hadn’t been together in years; we broke up when Faylin was less than a year old, so for her to be asking about us getting back together was wild.
“I don’t know,” she said, shrugging.
“Nah, Faylin, it’s a reason you asked. You might as well spit it out cuz it’s bothering you.”
“When I was at Mommy’s, she was talking to her friend, Jerry, and mentioned that y’all were still dealing with each other.” She looked at me and shook her head. “Daddy, I don’t want you to get back with Mommy. Don’t get me wrong, I love her, but she doesn’t make you happy like Mercy.”
I wiped my hands over my mouth as I tried not to laugh. I never hid shit from Faylin, but I’d been mindful of saying anything about me and Mercy fucking around because of how much she looked up to her. If Mercy and I didn't work out, Faylin would never let me live it down.
“Who said I was dating Mercy?” I questioned once I got my shit together.
Faylin gave me that black woman look that said she knew I was full of shit.
“Alright.” I laughed. “Yeah, DeCorte and I are dating.” A smile blossomed on my baby's face, and I shook my head. “But I don’t want you to get your hopes up. We are still new and learning each other.” Saying that out loud didn’t sound right, but I didn’t want to put much out there until I spoke with Mercy.
“So, she’s your girlfriend, but you don’t want the world to know?
” she lifted her brow, and I shook my head.
“What do you mean, no?” She rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Daddy, don’t fumble the bag, okay? Mercy isn’t just some other woman.
She’s Mercy DeCorte. Like, the Mercy DeCorte.
How many people can say that she’s their woman or better yet, that they even know her? ”
“Hold on,” I laughed and reared back like she’d hit me. “Faylin, yo daddy is a catch, too; you know that, right? Like, I just ain’t some nigga in the streets.”
“I know, but Daddy, you aren’t Mercy.” She waved me off, and for the first time, I realized how much Faylin looked up to Mercy. I knew she was her favorite player, but she actually looked up to Mercy in a way that she would never look up to me, and I was a little jealous.
“Damn, Faylin.” I threw my arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “Say I ain’t your favorite person in the world without saying it.”
Faylin stood and took the ball from me. She dribbled the ball between her legs, smiled, and shook her head. “Daddy, you are my favorite person, but Mercy is my favorite player. I know greatness when I see it.”
“Hey,” Mercy greeted me when she opened the door. I stuffed my hands into my pocket and stared at her. Her brown skin glistened against the moon, and I wanted to run my finger over it to see how soft it was. “What are you doing here?”
“Greet me properly, DeCorte,” I said, shaking my head.
It’d been a few hours since my talk with Faylin, and I wanted to run some shit by her in person.
The second she opened the door, I realized that what Faylin had said was true.
Well, nah, I always knew that Mercy was a prize, but seeing her, I realized how much I was winning right now.
She was smart, humble as fuck, fine, made me laugh and smile, but most of all, she was a good person.
I was just thankful that she was with me.
“Greet you properly?” she questioned with a smirk, and I nodded. “Exactly how am I supposed to do that?”
“Kiss me,” I answered, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Is that a problem?”
“Why would I greet you that way?” she challenged, and I stepped into her space. “Bullying me won't make me do what you want me to.”
“I don’t bully you,” I laughed. “If anything, you kind of bully me.”
“Oh yeah?” she lifted her brow, and I nodded. “How is that?”
“You break into my house, talk nasty to me, take advantage of me whenever you want,” I answered, and she rolled her eyes. “Tell me I’m lying.”
“It's not my fault your security system is weak.” She shrugged, and I couldn’t help but laugh, but I also noticed she didn’t tell me I was wrong. “And I doubt you feel any kind of way about me having my way with you.”
“Oh nah, I enjoy the experience every time.”
“Then why complain?” she asked, and I shrugged. “You just need something to do, huh?”
“Nah,” I said, and she rolled her eyes. “I’m trying to show my daughter how a good nigga treats his woman, and you’re challenging the fuck out of me.” I let my eyes slowly roam over her body before meeting her eyes. “Especially standing here in them shorts and sports bra.”
She grabbed my arms and side-stepped me to see Faylin standing in the driveway, leaning against the chair. “Hey!” she greeted her with a laugh. “Why are you standing back there for?”
“Daddy said stay here until y’all are finished talking,” Faylin answered, and Mercy nodded.
“You can go inside if you want. My cousins are here, but I know they won't mind,” she said.
“Daddy, is it okay?” Faylin asked, and I nodded.
“Thank you!” She said as she passed me, and I laughed. Faylin and Mercy exchanged a quick handshake that I’d seen them do before, then Faylin walked into the house and closed the door behind her.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said.