by Lady Lissa
“Nothing much. I was actually wondering if you want to shoot some hoops before your graduation,” I say.
“You bet! I’ll get ready,” he says.
“I’ll be there in a few,” I tell him.
I hurriedly get dressed, throwing on a sports bra and some basketball shorts. I fly down the stairs, put some water in my water bottle and head for the door. By the time I make it outside, Onyx is already warming up.
“You better practice because you know you’re about to lose,” I tell him.
“Whatever baby girl. You know darn well I’m about to whip yo lil fine ass,” he says as he pulls me in for a kiss.
“Okay, well let’s see.”
I grab the ball from his hand and toss it to him, “Check it boy!” I say, bringing back memories of when we first met and he first checked the ball for our very first game.
“I got your boy,” he says.
“Aha, I know you do. First to fifteen,” I say.
“Cool. I don’t wanna be too tired for tonight,” he says as we begin our game.
We shoot hoops and the score is 14-12 with him up on me. I get the ball and shoot. SWOOSH! Nothing but net. The score is now 14-13 and it’s his ball. I haven’t won a game against Onyx since eighth grade, but I love playing with him. The look on his face when he shoots ball is priceless. I think his happiest times are when we’re shooting hoops and making love. So, I’m blocking him and trying to keep him from busting that last hoop and who pulls up in his driveway? None other than that bitch Mandy.
“What the fuck does she want?” I ask out loud.
“I don’t know bae. But I will find out,” he says.
He grabs my hand and we stand together waiting for her dumb ass to get out of the car. When she steps out, she really looks like shit. I didn’t realize I had given her so much of an ass whooping yesterday afternoon. I knew I had hit her a few times, but the way her face is looking all mangled and shit, you would swear I was fucking her up with boxing gloves for twelve rounds.
As she makes her way closer to us, he asks, “What the fuck are you doing here Mandy?”
“I wanted to see you before your graduation because I have a gift for you. I didn’t realize that she would be here,” she says, rolling her eyes at me.
“I don’t need any gift from you,” he says.
Our fingers are linked together and he is rubbing my hand with his thumb. I look up at him and smile.
“Why don’t you want a gift from me? I bought this for you before we broke up and I still want you to have it,” Mandy says, handing him a gift box.
“That’s okay. Keep it and give it to someone else,” he says.
“I didn’t buy it for someone else. I bought it for you,” she says.
“But I don’t want it,” he says in a more stern voice.
“Why are you treating me this way? Did you forget that we’re having a kid together?” Mandy asks as she pats her stomach again.
“I didn’t forget that you’re having a kid but that’s YOUR problem, not mine.”
“Bae, can we finish our game?” I ask in an innocent tone.
“Hell yea! If you will excuse us, my girl and I are going to finish our game. I don’t know what you’re going to do with the rest of your day, but you need to get the hell up outta here,” he says to Mandy.
“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! IF YOU HAD NEVER COME INTO THE PICTURE, ONYX WOULD STILL BE MINE! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!” she yells at me.
“You can continue telling yourself whatever helps you sleep at night. The truth of the matter is, my friendship with Onyx is stronger than any relationship he will ever have with any female. That’s why our relationship is so good where it is. I’m not worried about your insecure ass and to be honest, I’m tired beating you up behind a man who will never be yours again. We may as well call it a truce and move the hell on,” I say.
I’ve about it with her and fighting this chick every day behind Onyx is starting to wear me out. I just don’t understand why it’s so hard for her to just let it go. I’m sure she has family telling her that this shit is a dead end. Onyx has been telling her and she doesn’t seem to get it. Maybe it is a good idea for him to speak with her parents about the situation. They really need to know that their daughter is coming apart at her seams.
“A TRUCE? FUCK A TRUCE! THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT YOU RIGHT NOW, THERE WILL NEVER BE A TRUCE UNLESS YOU GIVE HIM UP! I’M WARNING YOU, THIS CAN ONLY GET WORSE FOR YOU IF YOU CONTINUE FUCKING WITH MY MAN!” she is screaming like some mad woman. I’m really worried that she’s crazy, for real.
“I AM NOT YOUR MAN! You need to get that shit through your damn head. Whatever we had is over and it has nothing to do with Starr. It’s over because of me; because I don’t want you anymore. I don’t love you. I don’t want you. Shit, as a matter of fact, right now, I can’t even stand you. You make me sick!” Onyx says.
The look on her face is that of a real crazy person. We used to joke about how she was losing her mind, but I seriously think she has lost her mind. There is nothing in her facial expressions that shows a sane person used to live there at all. She looks deranged and like she needs to be locked up in a straight jacket or something.
“Don’t say that Onyx. Please don’t say that I make you sick. I love you so much and I know if it wasn’t for her, you and I would still be together,” she says as tears pour from her eyes in buckets.
“No, we wouldn’t. Even if Starr and I weren’t together, which we are, I still wouldn’t be with you. I don’t want to be with you anymore and it’s not because of anyone else but you. You are insecure, deceptive, clingy and just downright mean. I can’t be with someone like that,” Onyx says.
Mandy starts shaking her head as if the words are settling in but she doesn’t want to believe them.
“I will change. That’s it! I’ll change. I won’t cling anymore and I will try not to be insecure anymore either. Just come back to me,” she begs. She looks pathetic, begging my man to come back to her. What the hell is wrong with her? There are other men in this world besides Onyx. Why can’t she go find her one?
“I DON’T CARE IF YOU CHANGE, MANDY! I DON’T WANT YOU! WHY IS THAT SO HARD FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND?” Onyx asks. I can tell by his facial expression and demeanor that he is getting fed up with her antics.
“Because we had something special before. I just don’t understand how everything just went so wrong. I just love you so much and I know that somewhere deep down inside, you love me too. What am I supposed to do with all this love I have for you?” she asks.
“Give it to someone else Mandy. Somewhere out there is a guy who is going to love you and every little insecure bone in your body. But that dude ain’t me yo. I don’t love you anymore,” Onyx says softly.
“But, but, but, but, we had so many plans,” she says softly.
“But those plans are dead now,” he says.
She finally nods her head as if she understands and turns to get in her car. She gets behind the wheel and we can see her crying and shaking. She stays there crying for about five minutes before backing out the driveway. We watch as she drives off and we can’t see her car anymore. I hurriedly grab the ball from Onyx and take it to the hole. SWOOSH!
“Girl I know darn well you don’t think that counts,” he says as we break into laughter.
“In the words of Monica Wright McCall, “all is fair in love and basketball baby”,” I say as we continue to share a laugh. I know we both need this laugh after watching Mandy make an ass of herself.
But I wasn’t prepared for him to catch the ball, take it to the hole and dunk it on my ass.
“Game baby,” he says smiling.
“Oh wow! How you gon’ take that to the hole like that and think you won?” I ask.
“In the infamous words of you and Monica, all is fair in love and basketball baby girl,” he says.
“Okay, okay, touché,” I say.
I approach him and wrap my arms around his waist, “You got me.”
/> “Oh, I do huh?” he asks.
“Always,” I say as he dips his head and presses his lips against mine.
“You know what you doing to me right?” he asks.
“I ain’t doing nothing,” I say innocently, even though I can feel the bulge of his manhood pressing up against me. I love that I can make him hard just by breathing on him.
He looks at his phone and says, “I gotta go shower and get ready. It’s already 4:15 and I gotta be to the gym by 5:30.”
“Oh snap! I didn’t know it was that late,” I tell him.
“Me either, but I guess tearing up that ass on the court made us lose track of time,” he says.
“Boy bye! You ain’t tear up nothin’.”
The two of us crack up laughing. I give him another hug and ask, “Do you want me to come wash your back?”
“You know if you come wash my back, I’m gonna be late getting to my own damn graduation. Go over to your house and get yourself ready. You gon’ ride with me or my parents?” he asks.
“I wanna ride with you but you gotta get there so early,” I say.
“That ain’t early baby girl. I have to be there a half hour before graduation starts. If you come that early, you will have a good seat. You may even get a great seat,” he says.
“Okay, I’ll go get ready. Call or text me when you’re ready,” I tell him.
“Aight. Gimme a kiss,” he says.
I gladly pucker up and wait for him to bring his lips to mine. The kiss is hot, just like the two of us are. I love this man so much and I’m so proud of him. I can’t wait to see him walk across the stage and get his diploma. We finally separate and head to our houses to get ready. I want to look good for my man so I choose to wear this cute purple dress that I bought specifically to match Onyx’s tie. It’s about four inches above my knee and so sexy. When he sees me, I want him to look at me like I’m the only woman around. I slip my feet into my silver Manolo sling backs, add some silver bangle bracelets and my chain that Onyx gave me completes my outfit. I look at myself in the mirror and give a low whistle because I look good as fuck.
I know when Onyx sees me, he is going to melt. I walk downstairs to wait for him to text or call me.
CHAPTER NINE
Onyx
Playing ball with Starr before my graduation was the best shit. We haven’t had the chance to play ball in a while with everything that’s been going on. She’s had finals and I’m had to get ready for my graduation. But no matter how busy we were, we always had time to make love in the afternoon. Thinking about my graduation and knowing that by fall I’ll be away at college has me feeling somewhat indifferent. I mean, on the one hand I can’t wait to be done with high school. But on the other hand, being done with high school means not being there with Starr during her senior year.
I know that she will be joining me on campus when she graduates, but not being with her every day is going to kill me. I have been seeing this girl every day since I moved in next door all those years ago. My birthday is coming up in July and even though my parents are planning a huge birthday bash for me, I just wanna take Starr somewhere special so we can just enjoy ourselves. But, I think I will let my parents throw that big bash. I’ll do something with my baby the following weekend.
As I stand in the shower, all I can think about is Starr and how beautiful and sexy she is. I can’t wait to see what she wears for graduation because I know she probably has a boss ass dress. I know my baby gon’ be looking delicious and I can’t wait to taste her. I get dressed and look at myself in the mirror. I look damn good.
“My boy!” my dad’s booming voice comes from behind me.
I had no idea he was even in the room with me.
“Hey dad,” I say, smiling at him.
“Son, did I tell you how proud me and your mom are of you?” he asks.
“Yes dad, y’all have told me but I appreciate hearing it again though. I mean, I can never get tired of hearing my parents tell me how proud they are of me,” I tell him, walking into his open arms for a hug.
“You know, when your mom and I decided to move here, we did it so that you and your brother could have the best. I know that transitioning from New York to Atlanta wasn’t easy for y’all but seeing how well you and your brother are doing, let me and your mom know that we made the right decision. I would have probably felt a lot differently if you and your brother had turned into complete failures,” he says.
I look at him with the side eyes, “Really dad? Failures?”
“I don’t mean it like that. I just mean that y’all have made us really proud. Your brother is excelling at GSU and you will be joining him in the fall, so that warms my heart. I want so much for you and your brother,” he says.
“I know dad. We want so much for ourselves too,” I say.
“That’s good son. Now I know your mom and I gave you a car for your graduation present, but this promotion has allowed me to give you a lil’ something extra,” he says reaching into his jacket breast pocket. He pulls out an envelope and I’m looking like what did my dad do now? He hands me the envelope and inside is a graduation card.
On the outside, the card reads, “To a Wonderful Son,” with a picture of a graduation cap and a scrolled up diploma. The inside is personalized and reading it almost makes me want to cry. It reads,
To one of the most wonderful sons a parent could ask for.
Your mom and dad are so proud of you and all that
you have accomplished over these past years.
You have really outdone yourself with
everything that you have set your
mind to. We cannot tell you
enough how much you
mean to us. We
love you son
and we are
so proud
of you.
Love, Mom & Dad
There is also a check for twenty five hundred dollars which surprises me because of how much they already spent on that car. My car is no ordinary BMW. It has state of the art everything and I could not be more grateful for everything that my parents have done for me. They have been so supportive of me and my brother. I don’t know how many kids get to have parents who support them through everything. I have great parents and the relationship me and my brother have with them is amazing. I never want to lose the closeness I have with my mom and dad or my brother.
“Aww thanks dad. But you know y’all didn’t have to do this right?” I ask, referring to the check.
“Oh so you want us to take it back?” he asks.
“Naw, I didn’t say all that. I’m just saying that y’all already bought me that amazing ride so I wasn’t expecting anything else from you guys. But I appreciate it and I’m grateful all the same. Thanks dad,” I say, giving him another hug.
“Hey, can I get some of that?” my mom asks as she walks in.
“You sure can,” I tell her as I walk over to her and give her a hug.
“I was just thanking dad for the car, the card and the check. I appreciate y’all for everything but I didn’t expect anything,” I tell her.
“Well you deserve everything your dad and I have given you. I mean, you received a four year scholarship to GSU so we can’t have you getting dropped off. You deserve to have your own ride,” my mom says.
“Thanks mom, thanks dad for everything,” I say.
“You’re welcome baby,” my mom says.
“Yea son, you are welcome,” my dad cosigns.
“Y’all ready to go do this?” I ask.
“Heck yea!” my dad says.
“You know this,” my mom says, grabbing my cap and gown that was hanging on the back of my bedroom door.
The three of us walk downstairs and I pull out my phone to call Starr.
She answers on the second ring, “Hello.”
“Hey baby girl, you ready?”
“Yea, I was waiting on you,” she says.
“Aight then, come outside.”
“On my way,” she
says.
Two minutes later, she walks out of her house and my jaw hits the pavement. My girl looks amazing and what’s even better is that her dress coordinates with what I have on. She knows exactly how to please her man and make me happy. I embrace her when she gets close enough.
“You look so beautiful,” I tell her.
“Thanks baby. I’m glad you like it,” she says.
“Like it? I love it! You bought a dress to match my tie and that silver jewelry is killing it!” I say, admiring how good she looks.
“Wow! I’m glad that you appreciate everything I did to look great for you,” she says.
“Hell yea, you did that! You make me wanna take you upstairs and do some thangs to you,” I say in her ear.
“Down boy! We have plenty of time for that later,” she says.
“Wow Starr! You look amazing!” my mom says when she walks out the house and sees Starr.
“Thanks Mrs. Renee, you look beautiful too and Mr. Thomas, you are killin’ it in that blue jacket,” Starr says.
“Thanks Starr,” my mom says.
“Yea, thanks Starr. You look great! I love how your dress matches Onyx’s tie. That’s dope,” my dad says.
“Dope dad? Really? That’s so old school,” I say as we all laugh.
“Well, I’m old school then boy,” my dad says.
“We better get going. It’s almost 5:10,” my mom says.
“Yea, I don’t wanna be late for my own graduation,” I say.
My parents get in my dad’s car, while Starr and I get in mine. I back out the driveway and my phone beeps, signaling a text message. With the way things went with Mandy earlier, I have a feeling it’s her. I don’t need to read a message from her to try and ruin my night.
“Aren’t you going to check your message?” Starr asks.
“Nope, I’m already driving so it can wait,” I answer.
“What if it’s important?” she asks.
“They still gonna wait. My parents are behind us, my baby is with me, so everything else can wait,” I tell her as I rub her knee. Her skin is so soft and smooth and she smells so damn good. I can’t wait to get her behind closed doors later.
“Are you nervous?” she asks me.