15. Givens
GIVENS
“Let’s get this shit over with,” I said to Infinite as we moved through the club.
Infinite Brown was one of the few players I kicked it with on the team.
He was cool, didn’t say much, and always watched how everyone around him moved.
His inviting me here was on some work shit, but I still hated having to be at a club.
I’d rather be at home, laying under Mercy and chilling.
“You actin’ like you got somewhere to be,” he laughed, and I shrugged. Our waitress approached our table, set our drinks in front of us, and waited. “It ain’t shit at this table that’s about to entertain you, shorty, keep it moving.”
“Are you sure?” she asked as she batted her long fake lashes. I shook my head as Infinite grilled the fuck out of her.
“I shoot blanks, so the chances of you getting pregnant by me are slim to none,” he answered with a laugh. “Take your hot ass on and find another nigga to try and trap.”
Her eyes went to me, and I shook my head. “I will kill you,” I said, not caring who heard me. “You heard the man, move.”
“I’ll be over there if y’all change your mind,” she said, not giving a fuck that we’d dismissed her.
“That bitch looks like the type that will try and suck the nut from a condom and stick it up her pussy,” Infinite said as he watched her walk away. “I ain’t trying to have them kinds of problems.”
“If you are shooting blanks, then you ain’t got shit to worry about,” I laughed as I picked up my drink. I downed half of it before sitting it on the table.
“Oh, I was lying,” he said, then shrugged. “My shit work. I just didn’t need her ass jockin’ me all night.”
“Get the fuck outta here,” I laughed and looked around. The club was cool, but the longer I sat here, the more I concluded I was done with this lifestyle. Having money afforded me the opportunity to see what was worth my time or not. “How long we gotta show our faces?”
“Contract says three hours,” he answered. “But I already know you ain’t staying the whole time.”
“How you figure?”
“Shai just walked her big-headed ass in here.” He nodded to the entrance of our suite, and I groaned. “If yo baby mama here for work, I’m good, but I can tell from the way she dressed this shit is going to be a social call.”
“For who?” I questioned, and he laughed.
“Nigga, it ain’t no secret she wants her old thang back.”
“I’m not fuckin’ with Shai like that, and she knows it.” I picked up my phone to check the time and see if Mercy had hit me back yet. Her ass had me gone, and I wasn’t even afraid to admit it.
“Yeah, she doesn’t care about none of that,” he said, shaking his head. “She said her last name changing by the end of the year.”
“I feel sorry for the nigga she locks down, then,” I laughed as I stretched my arms over my head. I shook my head to get the room to stop spinning, then wiped my hand over my face. I was tired, and the all-day practice I’d had was starting to catch up with me.
“What color should I wear to the wedding?” he asked, and I twisted my face in confusion. Infinite threw his hands up and laughed. “I’m just trying to get a jump on finding a date.”
“Man, go to hell,” I replied, then stood. The room started spinning again, and I had to grab the chair so I wouldn’t fall. I heard Infinite call my name, but he sounded far away. “I’m cool.”
“Nah, man, something ain’t right. Have a seat,” he said, and I waved him off. “Legit, Givens, sit down.”
“I’m cool,” I said, even though I felt myself sway. I grabbed my water from the table and downed the rest to get myself together. “I’ma just head back to my hotel. I’ll pay the fine for leaving early.”
“Let me walk you out,” he offered, and I held up my hand to stop his movements. “Givens, you can't walk out of here alone.”
“I’m good,” I lied. “My ride out there waiting.”
“Givens-“
“I’m cool, man,” I laughed. “I just need to get some rest.” I could barely make out Infinite’s face, but from what I could see, I knew from his twisted expression that he didn’t believe me. I dapped him up and slowly made my way to the exit.
It took me longer than I wanted to because I had to stop every few steps to ensure I didn’t fall over.
When I made it out the back door and into my waiting car, I was sweating and could feel my heart pounding against my chest. My driver stepped out of the car and opened the door for me.
I climbed inside, and I swear it felt like my eyes were playing tricks on me, but I knew they weren’t because the smell of chocolate and oranges filled the car.
“Baby, what you doin’ here?” I said as I stretched out in the back and covered my face with my hands. The car pulled off and I relaxed to try and get comfortable for the thirty-minute drive back to my hotel.
“Ssshhhh.” Fingers pressed against my lips. “I got you,” was the last thing I heard before I passed out.
I woke up the next morning to my phone going off and the sun shining on my face.
My head was pounding, and the longer I laid here, the longer I realized I didn’t have the energy to move.
The loud buzzing of my phone was going to drive me crazy, so I grabbed it from the end table next to the bed and swiped the screen.
“Yeah?”
“Plane leaves in two hours,” Infinite said. “You moving on your side yet?”
“I ain’t going,” I said as I wiped my hand over my face. “I’ll charter one back for later today. I ain’t got it in me to move yet.”
“Yeah, you was gone last night,” he laughed.
“I don’t even know what the fuck happened; I had what, two drinks, and that’s it.” I sat up in the bed and wiped my hands over my face. I had to pee bad as hell, but I needed the room to stop spinning before I got up.
“It's all that work you're putting in the gym,” he replied. “You trying to get rings before you retire, but you pushin’ yourself too hard.”
“You starting to sound like Hood,” I laughed as I pushed the covers off and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.
“It’s the truth.”
“Yeah, I hear you.” I stood and stretched my arms over my head. “What did you end up getting into?”
“Had two come back to the room with me, and they had their way,” he said, then laughed. “Then I sent they ass right on their way once we were done. Ain’t no sleepovers happening.”
“You gonna get your feelings hurt one day.” I grabbed the phone from the bed and went to the bathroom. “It's gonna be a woman that hurts your damn feelings.”
“Don’t wish that shit on me,” he quickly replied, and I laughed lowly.
Infinite was a cool young nigga. He had his head on right for the most part and didn’t think he knew everything.
He was one of the few niggas I dealt with on and off the court.
“Speaking of women hurting your feelings, I swear you said you were done with Shai's ass.”
“Hold tight.” I put the phone on mute, set it on the counter, and then went to the toilet to pee.
After finishing, I flushed, washed my hands, grabbed my toothbrush from the counter, threw some toothpaste on it, and brushed my teeth.
I could hear Infinite talking to room service as he ordered food and playfully flirted with the person on the other end. “Alright, I’m back.”
“Oh, you ain’t got shit to say?” he laughed.
I cleaned my toothbrush, put it away, and washed my face. “The fuck you talkin’ about?”
“You said last night you were done with Shai, and rumor has it you are dating Mercy,” he laughed.
“I am on both accounts,” I replied, rinsing my face.
“Then why did Shai get in the limo with you last night?” he questioned and my face twisted in confusion.
“Nigga, what?” Most of last night was hazy as fuck.
I remembered hanging out with Infinite, having a couple of drinks, texting Mercy and Faylin, and seeing Shai.
When she walked into the VIP section, I was already starting to feel funny, so I was getting ready to go.
I passed her on my way out but never acknowledged her ass.
“I wasn’t with Shai, and she definitely didn’t get in the car with me. ”
“My nigga, she did,” he laughed. “I followed you to the car to make sure you stayed on your feet and got there safe. Shai rolled down the window when I knocked on it and said she had you. I asked if you were cool, and you said yeah. I didn’t think twice about it cuz she’s your BM.”
“Nah,” I denied, shaking my head even though he couldn’t see me. “I got in the car and-” I stopped talking and slammed my hand down on the counter. “I thought she was Mercy!”
“How? Don’t get me wrong; Shai is fine, but Mercy is that one. Shorty fine and can ball. They are literally two different types of women.”
“Let me call you back, Infinite,” I said, then hung up before he could say anything.
I swiped the screen, pulled up Shai’s number, and hit the call button.
The sound of a phone ringing in my suite had my head spinning.
I walked out of the bathroom and searched the room for the phone.
I found it under the bed in a pile of women’s clothes.
With the phone in my hand, I dropped to the edge of the bed and lowered my head.
The sound of the patio door opening and closing didn’t make me lift my head. “Good morning,” Shai cheerfully said, and I groaned. “Why do you have my phone?”
I looked up to see Shai standing near the door, wearing a plush white robe and a smile on her face that said she’d been freshly fucked. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I tried to figure out what the fuck was going on.
“You know exactly what I’m doing here,” she answered with a laugh as she strolled towards me.
“I know you have to leave in a few hours, but I was hoping we could go another round.” She opened her robe to show off her body, and I shook my head.
One thing I would never deny was how attractive Shai was, but she hadn’t done shit for me in years.
She wrapped her hand around my chin and lifted my head to look at her.
“Just a replay of last night and this morning.”
“Shai, we didn’t fuck.” I pulled my face from her hand and stood. I needed to get some space between us so I could think.
“Oh yes, we did,” she laughed.
“Nah, man, fuck nah,” I denied and shook my head. This shit wasn’t what it was, there was no way I would’ve fucked her ass after all these years, plus I was with Mercy. I wasn’t about to fuck that shit up when I’d just got her. “Get the fuck out, Shai.”
“What?” she wrapped the robe tightly around her body and grilled me. “Why the fuck are you acting like this?” She rolled her eyes. “If you think I’m lying, check your dick. We went at it a few times last night and this morning; I know my pussy juices are still on there.”
“Get the fuck out, Shai,” I repeated.
Her phone rang on the bed, and my eyes dropped to the screen to see Faylin’s name.
Shai sashayed to the bed, grabbed the phone, and swiped the screen.
“Hello?” she answered as she grilled me.
“No, baby girl.” Shai walked over to me and trailed her finger down my chest. It took everything in me not to snap, but I held it together because I knew there was a chance that Mercy was around Faylin, and I needed time to figure out what the fuck happened before I told her anything.
“I’m not sure. Call your daddy and see if he can take care of it. ” Shai smiled at me. “I love you, bye.”
“You trying to get yourself killed?” I angrily grabbed the front of the robe and yoked her ass. “Is that it? You trying to make me forget you’re my daughter’s mama and not some random that’s playing with her life?”
“Don’t even try me,” Shai said as she snatched from my grip. “I know you, Givens, how your mind works, and you wouldn’t dare do anything that makes Faylin sad. Now, be a good boy and drop them shorts so I can have my way with you again.”
“Get the fuck out, Shai.” My jaw was clenched so hard it started to hurt, but I didn’t care. I needed Shai to get the fuck out of my space, and now before I did something stupid.
Her phone rang again, but this time it was her boss. She smiled at me before swiping the screen and walking to her clothes on the floor to pick them up. “What’s up?”
I sat on the edge of the bed and dropped my face into my hands. This shit was fucked up.