She nodded. “Understandable. I just want you to know that I’m 100 percent in your corner. I had my fun in the beginning of the summer, but now I’m about to chill. Besides, I need to focus on my online businesses. The money is coming in by the buttloads, but I’m all over the place. I need to become better organized and whatnot. So, I think the street running is coming to an indefinite halt.”
I sat back in my chair. “Is that right?”
She pushed her hair out of her face. “Yep. Plus, I could tell that me going out so often was beginning to bother you, but for whatever reason you wouldn’t say anything.”
I licked my lips. “You wanna know why?”
“I do.”
“Because I sometimes become crossed on how I wanna handle things. I watched my pops run my mama down on occasions, so my mama would low key lecture me on why I should never do that to my girl. You gotta have a life too. At 18 it’s natural to want to go out. On the contrary, what’s not common is to be in a relationship this heavy so soon in life. Sometimes I think that you aint ready for my kind of love. It’s too grown for you and will suffocate you, until you’re mature enough to handle it.”
She tittered. “Boy, get the fuck. You’re thinking too damn deep, and talking like you’re old. This two-year age difference is nothing. I’m ready for whatever you throw at me. Please believe it. If anything, you need to stop holding back. I’m not timid. I know how to say it when it’s too much. And don’t use my age as a weapon. I’m old enough to fuck you every which a way, so I can definitely love you like I’m full grown. Now, I could understand if you were one of those cats that didn’t let me do anything, but that’s not you. I have a social life that can sometimes take over my life. That’s why it’s okay for you to step in and tell me that I’m doing too much. Tell me to scale it back, if it ever feels like we’re losing focus of us. Because me and you are one of the most important elements in my life. Is it the only element? Hell, no, but it’s vital. I know that I want this with you forever, and in order for that to happen, we’re gonna have truth around here. Even when it’s uncomfortable.”
***
It was my pops’ birthday, and my mama always made a big deal about it. This year would be no different. In the city we were having what we’d affectionately coined Jay-Day. Things were slated to jump off with a celebrity star-studded basketball tournament, which had more rappers, actors, and athletes than I could name. Using all our resources from club promoters to alliances the tournament was the place to be and the tickets had sold out the same day they’d gone on sale. There was media present, the whole nine. Crazily, this was just the tip of the iceberg. After leaving the game, there was a huge block party planned in Fifth Ward, and we were capping the night off at the grand opening of my parents’ new club Paris’ Jay Spot.
For years, my parents had owned a club with the same name, but a year ago they’d decided to relocate and go bigger. Now, they were on the edge of downtown, competing with the big dogs. With my endorsement, along with Little Jahrein’s and a host of other people, they couldn’t lose. My family was taking over Saturday nights and I couldn’t be prouder. My daddy was the man around the hood, as everyone praised him for making something out of nothing, but we all knew that nothing would’ve been possible without my mama. She was the brains behind everything and was so clever that she’d found a way to make money off my daddy’s birthday. People in the city wanted to party with us, therefore, we included the people, and slickly charged them along the way. Still, to show love, they were throwing the ultimate block party where free food and drinks was offered.
Pulling out all the stops, my mama had finessed her way onto TSU’s campus, getting the okay to have the tournament there. The basketball gymnasium’s energy was crazy. I hadn’t played in a single official game in the NFL yet, but people acted like I was next coming to Jesus. Little Jahrein was in the same boat, as broads literally pawed at him. We were just in the second quarter of the first game, and fans were losing their minds. I’d never heard my name screamed and shouted so much in my entire life. The cameras were flashing, women were everywhere, but I couldn’t take my eyes off this thick little bowlegged something on the opposing team. The way she dribbled the ball between her strong meaty legs had my dick hard.
“Back up off me,” the fine ass girl jawed as she bounced the ball. Making a quick fade, she shot past me, before making a basket.
The crowd went nuts.
“Aye, did you see that, nigga?” Little Jahrein asked in amazement. “My lil’ sister is the female version of me. These hoes better be glad that she never had interest in playing for real.”
I cut my eyes at him, because he was boasting, as if Jhyrah wasn’t on the opposing team and hadn’t just scored on our asses.
“What?” he opened his arms. “I’m just saying.”
“Good job, cuz,” Keyasia laughed, as she popped Jhyrah on the ass.
It was funny as hell. We were playing against Jhyrah, Keyasia, and Mya, along with three other niggas. I went in, thinking that we should take it light, considering that they were girls. True enough, we had three chicks on our team as well, but those three weren’t people we knew personally. Nevertheless, we’d underestimated the hell out of them. Jhyrah and Mya were balling like pros and were extra ratchet with it. Jhyrah had the nerve to twerk after every basket she made, causing the people in the stands to lose it, each time. I couldn’t help but laugh as I realized that she’d probably always be the life of the party.
By half time, I was thirsty as fuck, while Mya’s man Gwuap took the floor to perform his latest single. I was on the sidelines, grabbing a bottle of Gatorade.
“Damn, I can see that big dick in them shorts,” I heard someone utter, before I felt a hand groping my dick.
I spun around to find Jhyrah standing there, grinning from ear to ear. “Yeah, that’s how you better react. I don’t wanna have to kill a bitch up in here.”
I shook my head. “Watch out, man.”
“I’m serious. I saw your dick jump when we was on the court.”
I chuckled. “The fuck you expect? You know what you doing. He just saw home and reacted.”
She giggled, as she wrapped her arms around my neck, stood on her tip toes, and kissed me. Without even thinking, I palmed her fat ass.
“Jeremy, lil’ nigga, Ion care what team you signed to. You and Jhyrah are gonna stop playing with me,” Big Jahrein fussed, as he approached us, rocking his basketball uniform. Him and my daddy nem were slated to play next.
I pulled back. “Big Jah, that was your daughter.”
Jhyrah’s jaw dropped. “So, you’re just gonna throw me under the bus, huh?”
I nodded. “Hell, yeah. That’s your daddy. He aint gon do too much to you.”
She snickered. “Whatever.”
“Aint nothing funny, lil’ girl. You better keep in mind that I’m up in here, as well as all your uncles. We don’t wanna see that shit,” Big Jah carried on.
“Uhh,” Jhyrah groaned, as she glanced around. “Where’s my mama when you need her?”
I narrowed my eyes, spotting Raven standing next to the bleachers. “There she is, right there.” I pointed.
“Good,” Jhyrah sighed. “Mama! Mama, can you please come get your husband? Please!”
Immediately, Raven twisted over to us. “What’s going on?” she glanced over all our faces.
“Daddy is all in my business, acting like I can’t hug up with the man I go to sleep with every night,” Jhyrah snitched.
Raven glared at Big Jah. “Really, Jahrein? Why are you over here bothering them? Jhyrah’s been hot in the ass for quite some time now. Get over it.”
Jhyrah gasped. “Mama! I didn’t say say all that!”
“Well, I did,” Raven voiced, sticking out her tongue, as she grabbed Big Jah’s hand. “Come on, let’s go over here, daddy.” She led him away.
I shook my head with a smile, as Keyasia stepped over to us.
“Come on, Jhyrah. We gotta
take some pictures over there,” Key insisted.
Jhyrah gazed up at me, seeking my approval. I nodded, before she allowed Key to pull her away. A second later, Little Jah was tapping my shoulder.
“Say, it’s some people who wanna meet you,” he informed me, before we traveled to the opposite end of the gymnasium.
For a few minutes, I chopped it up with various people. Every time I’d attempt to step away, someone else would approach me. When I finally did get a chance to ease off, I scanned the crowds, searching for Jhyrah. Eventually, I spotted her, still posing for pictures. As I traveled over to her, I noticed Dorian pop up out of nowhere, and stand next to her. Cameras flashed, as they both smiled brightly.
“The fuck?” I gritted. I was beyond pissed off. Back in Cali, I’d never gotten the chance to confront that nigga about his interactions with Jhyrah, because our paths didn’t cross. However, Jhyrah knew what it was, and she was in fucking complete violation.
My natural reaction was to waltz over and check her ass on the spot, but too many people were watching. The wrong move could have our names plastered all over the blogs and that was the last thing I needed. Getting endorsements in the league was all about image, therefore I had a brand to protect and shit. On God, I hated that shit, because I wanted to snap in that bitch.
Attempting to cool off, I found myself sitting on a bench, near other guest players. The halftime break was nearly over, when Jhyrah moseyed over to me.
Standing in front of me, she placed her hands on her hips. “Here you are. I was looking all over for you.”
My jaw twitched as I stared off in the distance.
She hovered over me. “Jeremy, what’s wrong?”
Refusing to make eye contact, I didn’t say a word.
“Jeremy, you don’t hear me talking to you?” she reached out and rubbed my waves.
I jerked my head back. “Aye, don’t touch me.”
Her jaw dropped. “Wow. Are you serious, right now?”
I licked my lips. “Like a muthafucka?”
“But what did I do?”
I stared at the court. “Play crazy. Act like you don’t know.”
“But I don’t,” she claimed in a whisper, probably scared that people were eavesdropping.
I snarled, finally glancing up at her. “So, you didn’t realize that that bitch ass nigga was standing next to you?”
She loudly exhaled. “You talk as if I had control over that.”
“You did,” I snapped, raising my voice, before catching myself. “Look, Jhyrah, go’on, before I embarrass you in this bitch. I aint got shit to say to you.”
“What does that mean?” she pressed.
I curled my lips. “That means get your thot ass the fuck away from me.”
With hurt in her eyes, she stomped off. I was so mad that I didn’t give a fuck how she felt. A few minutes had ruined the rest of the event for me to the point when it was time to play the last game I damn near refused. My pops insisted that I participate, so I hopped back out there. Dorian’s bitch ass was on the opposing team, and I was fouling his ass every chance I got. It didn’t matter if he had the ball. He was getting knocked to the floor left and right.
Right before the buzzer and the game was about to end, my team was ahead by ten points. I guess to showboat, Dorian called himself trying to make a dunk, while I was holding him. So, he jumped up, and I knocked the ball clean out of his hand. Then for good measure, I knocked his ass down too, and he went skiing across the court.
“Damn!” several spectators belted, as Dorian scrambled to his feet.
“The fuck is your problem?!” he raged, attempting to charge at me. He didn’t make it very far, before multiple people grabbed his ass.
My pops was on the court with me, playing on the same team, and had witnessed it all. “Lil’ nigga, what’s the problem? Why you dry beefing with that man?”
I shook my head. “Aint nothing dry about it. Of all the bitches around here, he seems to have a thing for mine.”
My pops narrowed his eyes. “Wait, this the same lil’ nigga from a year ago? The one that people were swearing was fucking with Jhyrah?”
I nodded.
He shook his head. “That’s my bad. I didn’t realize that was him. You know I don’t be up on that type of shit. I’ma make sure that he keeps his distance.”
I tucked my lips into my mouth. “Yeah, that’s your best bet, because if he makes the wrong move, I aint gon care about these cameras, the NFL, none of that.”
“Okay, now, you talking crazy, boy. Take your ass to the locker room. Let me handle this,” he commanded.
Without responded, I stomped off. Just as I was approaching the entryway to the locker room, I felt somebody grab my forearm.
“Jeremy, let me talk to you for a second,” Jhyrah pleaded.
I snatched my arm back. “Get the fuck away from me. Take your ass on, Jhyrah, I’m telling you, because I’m this close to knocking your fucking block off.”
Of course, she released me, and I headed to the locker room, leaving her stupid ass standing there.
Chapter 21
Jhyrah
I sat on my great grandma’s back porch shedding frustrated tears. The day was supposed to be epic, and there I was dealing with relationship drama. I wanted to say fuck all that and just have fun, but that was nearly impossible. This was Jeremy’s daddy’s day, and he’ d be everywhere I go.
Usually, I could brush things off, but this was different. We’d all traveled to Fifth Ward, stopping at our people’s houses to prepare for the block party. Jeremy was down the street at his grand parents’, I was at my people’s house, and the people who we fucked with, but didn’t have relatives in the Ward, were either here at my grandma’s or over at Auntie Trina’s. The block party had already begun, as the crowds poured in, and I hadn’t begun to get ready. I was out back, while everybody else was in the house, busy getting ready.
“Aww, friend, what’s the matter?” Daynah questioned stepping out of the backdoor, before she approached me.
I sniveled, as I lifted my head. “What are you doing out here?”
“While we were getting dressed, I realized that you were nowhere to be found, so I came looking for you.”
“Oh,” I breathed. “Well, yall can go ahead. I’m not going.”
She sat next to me on the long porch swing. “Why not?”
I shook my head. “I don’t feel like being bothered.”
She sighed. “Where is Jeremy’s bitch ass? Got my girl in her feelings like this.”
“Fuck him,” I grumbled.
“So, yall did get into it, huh?” she pried, as I realized that I’d talked my hand. Leave it to Daynah to play head games.
“Yeah,” I admitted.
“For what?” she wanted to know.
I exhaled. “I guess because I didn’t walk away when Dorian hoped in the pictures we were taking on the court.”
“Girl,” she pursed her lips. “I thought that yall had been arguing about something serious. His ass will be over that in a few hours. Trust me. I can’t believe you’re all emotional over that. Are you pregnant or something?” she studied me.
“No,” I denied. “I’m not crying because he’s mad at me over Dorian. I’m crying because this type of shit is happening more often than I like. I’m scared of what this could mean.”
She gazed at me with confusion etched across her face. “I’m not following you.”
I took a deep breath. “What I am saying is that this kind of shit keeps happening. Niggas come my way. People make a spectacle of it. Some even insinuate that I’m loose. The rumors don’t bother me, but it disturbs my relationship. Cheating has never even crossed my mind. But somehow something always comes up that places doubt on Jeremy’s mind. And now I’m scared. Is it even fair that I begin to lose trust in him, because of my own doings? Like, I wonder will he give into temptation because he can’t fully trust me, anymore. I hate having these thoughts, but I can’t help it. An
d it seems like no matter how good I try to be, this shit just keeps happening.”
Daynah sucked her teeth. “Jhyrah, girl, this shit comes along with the territory. I know that you might not see it this way, but you and Jeremy aint ordinary people. People know yall everywhere. These niggas and hoes are thirsty, so of course, they’ll try yall. You gotta just stop trying to be so politically correct all the time. Treat this shit like it’s you and Jeremy against the world. Fuck how everybody else feels. That means you saying no to pictures sometimes or not going into a section if somebody is there that could cause problems for you with your nigga. Be more in control of your environment. Show Jeremy that he has no reason not to trust you, and yall will be alright. I promise.”
Listening to her intently, I realized that she’d definitely given me food for thought.
Jeremy
Standing on top of an old shopping strip which was owned by J Prince, the founder of Rap-A-Lot, we were deep as fuck. Several people from Rap-A-Lot were up there, along with a host of rappers, including Omari and Melo. My pops and his day ones were there, all this cousins, Big Jah, Josairah’s daddy Josh, Ray-Ray, along with everybody’s girls. My mama had insisted that we all wear customized tee shirts, which were black and stated the relationship to my pops. Since me and Jhyrah had been on one accord when the shirts were made, hers stated that she was Jay Rock’s daughter-in-law. Of course, Emily and Cavalli’s crazy ass had the same shirts, as well, although Cavalli didn’t seem to be claiming Jared today.
Jared was posted up, as some unfamiliar broad was in his face. Instead of Cavalli putting an end to it, she was chilling with Jhyrah and the crew, flapping her mouth, and twerking to every other song the deejay played. Jhyrah was standing looking lost, as she rocked her tight tee, which was tied up in the front, along with some black booty shorts, and black Jordans that matched mine. Surprisingly, she hadn’t tried the common practice, which was to pretend that she was having the time of her life. It was clear that she was mentally distracted, while there was sadness in her eyes.
“Say, yall got that Dorian nigga shook,” Little Jah mentioned, as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
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