17. Givens #2
“Yes, sir,” she said, nodding. “I plan to, which is why I’m warning you.
Stay away from her. She likes Coach, but she said she’d gladly move her out the way to get what she wants, and right now, it's you.” Gina walked away, and I could only stand there in shock.
Danielle had me fucked up, but I respected the shit out of Gina for knowing her mama was on some fuck shit and trying to look out.
I stood near the wall watching the girls play; they were going hard. The score was close, but I knew that if they kept listening to Mercy, they would take this shit. When Mercy called a time-out and pulled the girls into a huddle, I returned to my seat next to Hood.
“They playin’ up, right?” he asked, and I nodded.
It didn’t happen often, but the AAU officials approached Mercy after seeing the girls practice and asked if she was interested in the girls playing up an age bracket.
She didn’t think they were ready, but I knew they were and was glad she’d allowed it to happen.
“Yeah, they gonna be a problem if they stay together.”
“Legit,” I agreed. The girls returned to the court, and I watched as Faylin settled into her game. Faylin took her time coming up the court when the ball was inbounded. Her attention was on her teammates, but her head nodded as she listened to Mercy call out a play.
My heart was slamming against my chest as I watched my baby cross the defender then pass the ball to her teammate.
She sprinted down to the block and then cut to the right corner.
The ball was passed to her, and she got into a shooting stance; I knew that shit was going in as soon as it left her hands.
“Let’s fucking go, brown skin thug!” Krude called out from behind me. I turned to see him and the rest of the DeCorte’s sitting in the stands. Seeing them as a unit was dope, but hearing them cheering for my baby made me smile. “You yo mama’s daughter for real!”
“Sit down, Genesis!” Mary DeCorte scolded. Even though we’d never met in person, I’d seen her at Mercy’s games and spoken to her on the phone a few times. “Out here embarrassing both Faylin and Mercy.”
“First off, it ain’t embarrassing to encourage your family.
Mercy is used to the shit, she knows how we get down, and Faylin may as well get used to it, too.
This ain’t the last game we are showing up to.
” Krude adjusted his baby in his arms and shook his head.
“The DeCorte’s friends and family group ride hard for each other. ”
“He’s not lying,” Hood said from beside me. “They go hard for each other, no questions asked.”
“I know,” I said, nodding. I turned back to the game.
“They didn’t just show up for Mercy, either,” he continued. “Ex said the family group chat has been hot the last few days.”
“Why?” I asked, not taking my eyes off my daughter.
“You didn’t show up to church,” he answered with a laugh.
I wiped my hand over my mouth and nodded. I knew not showing up to church would be a sore spot for the DeCortes. Mrs. DeCorte had mentioned when I spoke to her before leaving town that not everyone got an invitation, and since I didn’t show up, I would have some explaining to do.
“Yeah, that’s my fuck up,” I said as I sat back in my chair.
The girls went on a 10-0 run with less than a minute left on the clock.
Faylin stole the ball and walked it up the court while Mercy started packing her things.
The rest of the bench stood and started cleaning up.
The girls passed the ball to each other, never attempting to shoot, and when the buzzer sounded off, Faylin and the rest of the girls hustled over to the bench.
They shook hands with the other team and disappeared into the locker rooms.
“Light skin thug!” Krude called out as he made his way down the stairs. He was taking his role as a father seriously as fuck. Every time I saw him, he had his baby girl strapped to his chest. Her mama was never too far behind, but that baby was always with him. “Where have you been hiding?”
I laughed as I stood. “I haven’t been hiding,” I replied as I dapped him up. I was mindful of his baby girl in his arms. She was beautiful with her chubby cheeks, big brown eyes that took in everything, and small nose. “I just got back in town yesterday morning.”
“Yeah, you missed church,” he scoffed as if the thought of me not being there didn’t sit right with him.
“The children’s choir showed out, and afterward, Madea got down in the kitchen.
” He moved closer to me as we watched the rest of his family approach us.
“You better have a damn good reason to have missed it cuz if not, Madea more than likely will go upside your head.”
“Work,” I said, and he shook his head.
“Damn shame your formal introduction is going to end with you having a concussion.” He stepped back, and I quickly turned to see Mrs. DeCorte grilling me hard as she stepped into my personal space.
“Givens Eziel Robbins, give me one good reason I shouldn’t tear this thing off,” she said as she twisted my ear.
“Light skin thug, your middle name is Eziel?” Krude laughed. “Yeah nigga, you are supposed to be riding with us.” He turned to his grandmother and sighed. “Go gentle on him; you know he with the Hell Raiser, he probably traumatized already.”
“Genesis, walk away before I get ahold of you next,” she threatened, and he quickly walked away.
“Mrs. DeCorte,” I pleaded. No lie, the grip she had on my ear was strong as fuck and legit hurt.
“Madea, family calls me Madea,” she corrected. I looked around for the rest of the DeCortes for help, but all they did was stand to the side and smirk. “Don’t look at them; they know not to try me.”
“Let me explain.”
“You had time to contact me before now and explain why you didn’t come,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t let people into this family unless I know they deserve to be here. I let you in, but right now, you are on probation. One more fuck up, and you’re gone. You understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, nodding. She let go of my ear, and immediately, my hand went to it to soothe the throbbing. “From here on out, Faylin and I will be on our best behavior.”
“Faylin is not on probation, honey,” she smiled as she patted my chest. “Deuce has already let it be known that his wife is not associated with your bullshit.” She patted my chest again before turning and walking away.
I looked over her shoulder to see her grandchildren all laughing and pointing at me.
Deuce stood between his parents, hands in his pockets, and a mug on his face.
His top lip lifted in a snarl, and I could see silver on his canine tooth.
“Silver tooth gang member, flash them thangs,” Krude laughed as he put his hand out for Deuce to dap him up. “You better show your father-in-law that you about that life!”
Deuce pulled his hand from his pocket and dapped Krude up.
I ran my tongue over my top teeth and nodded.
If Deuce was older, I knew I’d have a problem on my hands.
He never showed an ounce of fear when it came to showing his infatuation with Faylin.
I was going to have to keep an eye on his crazy ass.
Mecca Strong tapped his son on the chest, making Deuce look up at him.
They had a quick conversation in sign language before Mecca threw his arm over his wife’s shoulder.
Cross had their baby strapped to her chest and a smile on her face.
Deuce took his mother’s free hand, and the family of four walked away.