13. Khalil #2
“What. Did. He say?” I asked slowly. I didn’t give a damn about anything else she was talking about. Wherever she thought she was going to run to, she had to know I was going to follow.
I could feel myself about to pull up on Lamar’s bitch ass tonight.
Piper looked over at me and sighed again.
“He was just upset because I told him not to speak to me. So, when I went to walk away, he grabbed my arm and told me you’d never take me seriously.
That once you graduate and go to the league, you and Nia are going to be together, and I’ll just be a memory. ”
Wow.
Fucking wow.
I sat back, flabbergasted. Lamar and I had been best friends since we were knee-high.
We’d never gotten into fights and had only been in one argument in the thirteen years we’d been friends.
Aside from me telling him to chill on Piper, we had been cool.
But for the past two weeks, he had been distant, and now I was seeing the picture for what it was.
He had to be jealous.
Was it because he felt Piper was replacing him, or because he wanted her? Whatever it was, we were adults, and shit could have been talked out like men. Whatever the issue was, it didn’t warrant saying that shit to her when I was just getting her to trust and open up to me.
Piper climbed into my lap and placed her palms on my cheeks. “I know you’re upset, but please don’t say anything to him. I don’t want you two fighting. It’s not necessary.”
“I’m not going to put my hands on him, but I’m definitely checking that nigga.
” I took her hands while looking into her eyes.
“Pipe, I need you to trust that I would never hurt you. I don’t know where these sudden feelings came from, but I just know I love everything about you.
Your smile, your eyes, your lips, your sass, this soft, round ass, and your intelligence.
You make me feel shit I never felt with anyone else.
I’m asking you to trust me with you. I promise I’m all in. Even when I go to the league.”
She smiled at me and kissed my lips. I gripped her ass and squeezed. “Okay.”
“You’re saying okay, but I need you to really mean it, baby.”
“I do mean it. I promise to trust you.”
I gave her a soft smile and rubbed her cheek with my thumb. “I love you, and you ain’t gotta say it back until you’re ready. Just know you got me wrapped around your finger.”
She blushed. “Yeah?”
“Most definitely. Let’s get some rest. We gotta get up early tomorrow to work out.”
She frowned. “Who?”
“Us.”
“Nah, buddy. You’re on your own with that one.”
I laughed. “You not gon’ work out wit’ ya mans?”
“Nope! I’d rather watch you sweat.” She bit her lip and smiled as I kissed her lips and pulled her on top of me. I told Alexa to hit the lights as we fell into a comfortable silence before falling asleep.
The Next Day
I walked into the gym where all the athletes worked out on the weekends. We had an away game this upcoming Monday, so I knew I’d find the crew there today.
My eyes scanned the gym until I spotted who I was looking for. He was flirting with the trainer, as I knew his friendly ass would be. He swore he was so into Sabrina, but now that he had taken her down, he was back to his dog ways.
“What up, Lilo?” Keith asked, holding out his fist for a pound as I walked past him on the weights.
“What up?” I offered nothing more and headed to the locker room.
While putting my stuff away, I heard Lamar’s dumbass voice enter through the entryway.
He was talking to Jalen about the upcoming Halloween party at Jalen and Keith’s frat house.
They couldn’t see me, because I was on the other side of the lockers.
“I hope Lilo don’t show up with Piper’s ass,” I heard Lamar say. I paused and tuned in.
“Nigga, you’re only saying that shit because you wanted her, but he got her. Just like he got every other broad you set your sights on except Sabrina.” Jalen chuckled.
“That shit ain’t funny. I think that nigga is doing that shit on purpose. That’s why I put a bug in his girl’s ear to make her doubt that nigga. And when she leaves that nigga alone, I’ma come in like Jordan in the paint and shoot my shot.”
“You cold-blooded, my nigga.”
“Say what you want. He’ll be on to the next chick by next week. Watch.” I grabbed my Beats, Apple Watch, and water bottle, then locked up and stepped around to their side.
Jalen saw me first since Lamar’s back was to me, and his eyes widened a bit before he smiled. “What’s good, Lilo?”
I leaned against one of the lockers and gave him a head nod just as Lamar turned to me.
“You good?” Lamar asked, looking nervous.
I rubbed my beard and stared at him. “Nah, . . . I ain’t. You got an issue with me or something, my nigga?”
He frowned. “What you mean?”
“I’m trying to figure out what would make you say that bullshit to my girl, and you over here saying that hating-ass bullshit about a nigga who bossed your wardrobe up when you used to rock them dusty-ass Payless shoes and Kids-For-Less ’fits?”
His face twisted in confusion. “Nigga, you trippin’. I’on even know who ya girl is. Who that?”
I pinched my nose a few times, trying to reel back my anger. “My nigga, I’m trying to be patient with you, but you testing me like I won’t knock you the fuck out. You know exactly who I’m talking about and what I’m talking about.”
He chuckled, then turned all the way to look at me.
“Look, man. I don’t know what shorty did to you, but you fucking changed, bruh.
What the fuck are you even doing with her?
You’re just blowing money on a chick you’ve only known for five minutes.
She got you dissing the crew and acting like she’s some damn prize.
She’s using you, and you’re too blind to see that shit. That bitch put some voo—”
I lost it.
I pushed him against the lockers and put my forearm under his chin. He tried to push me back, but I was stronger than him.
“Watch your fucking mouth. You so fucking worried about what I’m doing in my personal life instead of worrying about your girl who’s fucking the whole basketball, football, and soccer teams. Let’s not forget the girls she plays with too.
“I don’t speak on what the fuck y’all got going on, and I don’t disrespect her.
So respect my lady, and watch how the fuck you talk to her.
” I leaned in closer, our noses almost touching.
“And if you ever think you about to slide on mine, I’ll end ya fucking dreams of going to the league, bitch-ass nigga. ”
“Aye, come on, y’all. Chill. We’re a team,” Jalen said, trying to step in between us.
“Jay, back the fuck up. This is between me and a nigga who’s supposed to be my brother and have my back.” I sneered, pushing his head against the lockers before releasing him.
Lamar grabbed his neck and shook his head. “I’m only trying to protect you, bro. Everybody is saying you’re falling off fucking with her. She don’t even like you for real. She just likes what you can do for her.”
“And what the fuck does it matter to any of you niggas? Sitting around gossiping like bitches; meanwhile, I’m minding the fucking business that pays me. Even if she was using me, which she isn’t, what does that have to do with any of y’all?”
“I was just trying to look out for you,” Lamar said, puffing his chest out like I wouldn’t cave his shit in. The only reason I wouldn’t was that I did consider his gossiping ass a brother. I didn’t want to fight him, but this was the only warning I was extending.
“Do me a favor, and don’t. I don’t need your protection. You don’t even know her, yet you calling her names and putting shit in her head so you can try to fuck! Desperate-ass fuck nigga!”
“A’ight, Lilo.” He nodded and looked off before putting his eyes back on me. “When this spell she has you under wears off, I’ll be here to tell you I told you so. Then we gon’ hug it out and fuck some real bad bitches.”
I could see the amusement in his eyes, but I also saw a hint of anger. At this point, I knew our brotherhood would be no more. I could see behind the facade he put up. That ugly-ass, green-eyed monster was lurking, and I never saw it until this very moment.
I gave him a menacing glare, then walked off. It was fucked up, but I knew our friendship was over. Even though I wouldn’t fuck with him like that no more, I was still going to keep him in my periphery.
As the saying went: always keep your enemies closer.