Chapter 9
PENELOPE
The next day, after practice, I drove to Sin’s house to see Mimi. She’d texted me again this morning. Giving her another excuse for why I couldn’t come see her would’ve caused her to worry.
Sin’s house was right next door to Zoo’s.
When I pulled in to park behind Mimi’s car, I peered over at Zoo’s house to see if he just so happened to be outside.
All I needed was a peek at him. On my way to the front door, my heart sped up at the sound of Zoo’s voice. He sounded like he was in the backyard.
Knocking on the door, I waited for someone to answer, hoping Zoo would see me and miss me just as much as I missed him.
“‘Sup, PJ?” Sin answered the door and let me inside.
Immediately, my eyes went in search of Zoo. He came through the patio door, looking sexy per usual. The smile he’d had on his face dimmed at the sight of me.
“Naomi’s on the patio.”
I was really focused on Zoo, who walked towards me. His gaze traveled the length of my body. Inside, I shouted for joy.
“Hey,” I spoke as he neared.
“‘Sup?” Zoo walked right past me out of the door as if he’d never laid in bed with me. “Call me later,” he said to Sin.
Sensing that something was wrong between the two of us by how Zoo had just brushed me off, Sin followed him out of the door.
“What’s that all about?” Mimi stood by the patio door, hand on her hip.
Forcing myself to smile, I went to hug my sister.
“Uh-uh, don’t try to ignore what I just said.”
“He’s mad at me,” I admitted. Although he said we were still cool, Zoo didn’t even stop to speak to me.
“Why?”
“I was kinda mean to him the other night.”
Mimi pursed her lips. “Which Penelope was mean? The one who’s in love with him, or the one who’s occasionally a bitch?”
“Mimi! You’re my sister.”
She turned on her heels and went to take a seat on the patio sofa. It was a beautiful day, and Mimi’s skin was glowing under the sun. I was happy to see that she was getting some fresh air and not cooped up in the house. I plopped beside her and laid my head on her shoulder.
Like the big sister she was, she put her arm around my shoulders.
This took me back to the time when we were young girls.
Mimi was the big sister any girl would want.
Despite our petty little sibling drama, she protected me and loved me to no end.
If I wanted the truth, Mimi was going to keep it one hundred with me.
No matter how deep her truth cut, Mimi only wanted the best for me.
“Wrong is wrong, boo, even when it comes to men. If they’re trying to do right, then they deserve just as much respect as you’d want from them. So, tell me what you did.”
I explained my side of the story with Mimi side-eyeing me two seconds into me explaining.
“Bitch, wait—” She turned until her body completely faced me. “You told this man to ‘leave you the fuck alone’, and now you’re crying ‘cause he done left you alone?”
“Mimi…”
“Peeg, you are so special, sis.”
While I tried to argue my case, she kept making faces at me.
“I don’t wanna hear anymore. Zoo really likes yo’ ass, and now you ran him off.”
“He doesn’t seem broken up about it,” I said, recalling the smile he’d had on his face before he saw me standing in the doorway.
“What you want? For him to be walkin’ ‘round lookin’ sad like you?”
“No.”
“Yes, you do. You want him to miss you, so then it validates you being in love with him. Have y’all even talked about being a couple?”
I shook my head.
“Baby sis. From one basketball lover to another, don’t let this sport ruin you.
Don’t let it ruin the good person that you are.
Don’t let it ruin your opportunity at love.
Sin came in and showed me that there was more to my life than being an athlete.
He supports me wholeheartedly in whatever comes along.
Imagine if he only wanted Naomi the basketball player, and not Naomi the woman off the court.
‘Cause I know I’m getting on my man’s last nerve. ”
We both chuckled.
“Zoo sees you as a woman off the court and fully supports the woman on the court. He’s been stuck to you like glue. And honestly, it’s refreshing to see men like Sin, Zoo, and Brooklyn have their soft sides with us.”
Sighing, I agreed with her. Zoo was so damn hard but was as soft as a teddy bear when it came down to me.
“So, you gon’ have to do something to get your man back, ‘cause you’re not gon’ be crying all over my shoulders while I’m crying all over Sin’s about this baby.”
I busted out laughing and rubbed Mimi’s baby bump. “Aww! I’ma be an auntie!” I screamed.
“I’ma call you auntie-sister-cousin-in-law,” Sin said, joining us on the patio. He came over to kiss his woman’s lips, bringing a smile to my face.
“I’on know about the cousin-in-law part, but I’ll be auntie and sister-in-law all day,” I replied, chuckling when Mimi smacked her teeth.
“Quit frontin’. Zoo ain’t goin’ nowhere. That nigga in his feelings like niggas get when y’all hit below the belt. My cousin ain’t used to dealin’ with a woman that doesn’t mind speakin’ her mind. And we all know how slick ya mouth is. Ouch!”
Mimi popped Sin’s arm so hard, I felt it.
“Her mouth is slick, Baby,” he defended.
“So! That doesn’t mean you gon’ talk about her! We’ll jump yo’ ass. One thing about us, we ain’t never been scared to get down.” Mimi grilled Sin, and for a second, I was scared for him.
Sin grinned. “See how mean she is to me?” he directed my way. “But I love her ass. Another woman could neva!”
“Boy!”
Sin darted off before Mimi could punch him.
“And you gon’ watch that ‘boy’ shit, woman! The only boy ‘round here is the one you carryin’!” he yelled from inside the house.
Mimi and I busted out laughing, falling into each other like gossiping teenagers.
“I’m proud of you, boo.” Mimi hugged me, beaming.
“Sis, I miss you out there.”
“I miss being out there. However, I wouldn’t trade the position I’m in now, for the court. Just like I was telling you, at some point, you’ll realize there are other things, people you will love more than you love basketball. It took all of this to show me that.”
Sin peeked his head out the door. “And a basketball ain’t put no fuckin’ baby in you, either.”
Mimi took one of the lounge pillows and threw it at Sin, who easily dodged it.
Cackling at Sin and Mimi’s antics had my stomach hurting the rest of the evening. When I arrived home to an empty house, I wanted to turn around and go back to Sin’s house. Hell, I’d sleep in my car in the driveway just to feel closer to Zoo.
Opening my front door, I launched myself into my daddy’s arms, grateful to see him and my mama.
The last two days had been horrible. Loneliness and a tad bit of depression slipped in after my last conversation with Zoo.
Not once did he reach out to me, and it stung.
I didn’t blame him for wanting to put some distance between us; it just hurt like hell.
I never thought I’d miss his loud mouth and arrogance.
Even his ratchetness caused me to laugh until my stomach hurt.
Underneath his craziness, Zoo was a sweetheart, and I missed him something serious.
“How’s my baby?”
I embraced my mama smiling from ear to ear. “Good, Mama. Ready to get this series over with.”
She chuckled. “You say that as if things are going to settle down once the season is over. Next, you’ll be drowning yourself in schoolwork.”
“Don’t remind me,” I groaned. “I picked up books and nearly died when I saw how thick one was.”
Mama started laughing. “Just think; it’ll be over soon enough. Enjoy the ride, sweet child.”
Sighing, I guess I should’ve listened to my mama. I hugged them both and beamed with joy.
“I’m so happy y’all are here!” I refrained from telling them how bored I’d been and the fact that I’d cried myself to sleep the last two nights. “I hate I can’t stay and feed y’all before I go to the arena.
Mama waved me off. “We wanted to catch you before you left. Besides, we’ve been invited to lunch with Zeus.”
Hiding my surprise, I smiled. “How in the world did that happen?” Zoo couldn’t talk to me but could invite my parents to lunch!
“We’ve kept in communication since everything happened with Naomi,” my daddy explained. “He told me we’d have lunch once we came back into town, so he’s making good on it. He’s a really nice young man.”
Mama pointedly looked at me. My daddy had pretty much just given me his blessing where Zoo was concerned.
“Oh. Okay, well, y’all have fun!” The fakeness in that statement had me gagging. I hoped Zoo choked on whatever food he decided to order. Shit! I took it back the moment I thought it. Regardless of how he was not talking to me, I wouldn’t ever wish bad on my man.
Heart stalling, I wanted to bust out in tears. Zoo should’ve been my man.
“We’re going to go see Naomi for a little while, then meet Zeus.” My mama kissed my cheek then moved into the living room with my daddy.
“We’ll be in the stands cheering you on,” Daddy added.
A genuine smile graced my face.
“It’ll be loud in there, but you’ll hear your mother over the rest of the crowd.” He chuckled.
My smile faltered. The only voice I wanted to hear over the screaming fans was Zoo’s. Knowing he’d be courtside tonight had me feeling a little better as I donned my shoes, grabbed my duffle bag, and headed out the door, waving bye as I did so.
On my way to the arena, instead of focusing on the game that laid ahead, my thoughts were consumed with Zoo.
Normally, I’d be riding shotgun with him behind the wheel.
He’d be driving and motivating me at the same time.
His words of encouragement had helped me through so many difficult times.
Thinking back to how he single-handedly stood by my side through what happened the night Naomi collapsed on the court, caused me to kick myself.
My attitude had literally driven away a man, who seemed to really care about me.