Page 4 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

I noticed Marquise’s head slanted toward his brother. Whatever they said caused Malcolm to give a hard deep chuckle.

“Don’t get no ideas. You live downstairs,” Marquise said.

I turned to Jhae and Malcolm. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I won’t be visiting any place where I am harassed and mistreated,” I said, and moved toward the door.

“Omg... her sensitive ass can’t take a joke,” I heard Marquise say as I shut the door.

Before the elevator doors opened, Marquise stepped into the hallway and stood.

“Weirdo, get back in the condo and calm down. You cussed my ass out in the elevator and now you’re upset,” he said in a mocking tone.

“My name is Erin, Community dick,” I said.

Marquise chuckled at the nickname as he folded his arms across his chest.

The elevator doors opened, and I climbed on, punching the button for my floor. By the time I reached my condo and unlocked the door, Jhae texted me.

Jhae

I’m sorry. Marquise is tripping. I’m going to make him apologize.

Jhae

Girl, I think he is into you, and he is mad about it.

I sighed at the text before I made it to the bedroom. Marquise had frustrated me.

“Weirdo, get back in this condo and calm down,” I mocked, deepening my voice.

Me

Tell him to get over it. He’s rude AF. I’ma kick his ass.

Given the height and gender difference, my comment wasn’t going to happen, but it sounded good. Seeing the time, I toggled over to the contact list and called my best friend.

“You better be telling me you’re headed to a party or laid up with a league player,” my friend, Dawn, said.

If I wasn’t pissed off, I would’ve laughed. We’ve been friends since kindergarten after we fought over the orange crayon. Dawn still worked in Chicago as a radiology technician, but she held a full-time position as my biggest cheerleader.

“That’s what I called to tell you. Search Marquise Shaw-Jefferies,” I requested.

While she completed the task, I unzipped my luggage on the floor.

“Girl, he big fine,” she said.

“Girl, he a big asshole. Let me tell you. Jhae introduced us right...”

I replayed the events up to the moment I returned to my condo, including him leaving me hanging and calling me a weirdo. As I told the story, my temper flared, and I tossed my pjs on the bed.

“I agree, friend, he was an asshole, but I think he has a thing for you.”

I threw my head back, taking in the waffle shaped ceiling. “Marquise is a jerk.”

“A fine and rich jerk. Live a little. Have fun spending his money and building your career,” she said.

“How, he is mean.”

“Haven’t I taught you anything? Do the opposite of what you want to do, which is run,” she said.

“Goodbye, Dawn,” I said, and climbed into the shower after I ordered my dinner.

Tracking the delivery driver, my pizza was up the street.

I already called the front desk to alert them, as Jhae instructed.

With the number of celebrities in this building, walking up to the front door wasn’t an option.

To get to the elevator, you needed a code.

My stomach growled, forcing me to leave my room prematurely.

A scream ripped through me as I covered my heart and stumbled backward. My back hit the wall as my eyes registered Marquise sitting on the couch.

“Are you crazy? How did you get in here?” I questioned.

Marquise sat up and shook his head at me. If I wasn’t expecting a delivery, I would’ve been half naked.

“Calm down, Weirdo,” he said.

The loading screen from Blazing and Guns uploaded on the T.V.

“How did you get in here and are you playing my game?” I questioned.

“I have a key and yes, I’m playing your game.”

Before I could kick him out the doorbell rang. Both of our eyes found the door, but Marquise paused it and stood. We both darted in the same direction, but he beat me to the door. I reached for the handle, but he moved my hand.

“It’s my pizza,” I revealed.

The doorbell sounded again, and I tilted my head back to catch the scowl on his face.

“Do you know the delivery driver? No,” he answered before I could say anything. “Erin, let me answer the door. This is L.A. sometimes when delivery drivers see a woman living alone, they will target you,” Marquise said.

I stepped backward, surrendering my hand. Marquise opened the door, retrieved my food and stuffed my pizza box into my chest.

The move heated my core as my hands remained at my side.

“Do you want the pizza?” he questioned.

“Yes, when you hand it to me.”

His nose hiked as he snarled.“Fuck it, I’ll eat it,” he said, and walked back to the couch.

My mouth parted as I followed him, ready to reclaim my food. He sat the box on the ottoman, opening the lid before I could reach for it.

“What the hell is this? Who puts pineapples and banana peppers on the same pizza? Yo weird ass would order this shit,” he said.

I squinted as I reached for the box, but he moved it out of reach.

“Can I have my food, please?” I demanded with my hands on my book printed pjs.

He secured a slice and stuffed half in his mouth. I speed walked to the other side of the ottoman and he moved the pizza again.

“Will you stop playing with my food,” I said between gritted teeth.

“Get yo old nasty ass pizza.”

I reached for the box and tugged it in my direction, but he wouldn’t release it. My stomach growled again at the smell.

“I’m calling Jhae,” I announced, and he smirked.

“Jhae fucking right now. She’s not worried about you.”

Marquise released the pizza box and stuffed the rest of his slice inside his mouth.

“You’re disgusting,” I said with a contorted face.

He chewed the rest of his stolen pizza slice while resting his leg on the ottoman.

“If you had a man, you would understand.”

I caged the insults I wanted to say behind my teeth. Don’t let him piss you off.

“Jhae asked me to come down here and check on you. And to give you the rules.”

I tightened the grip on the pizza box and steadied myself.

“Rules?”

“Yes rules. No men or overnight guests. No staying the night at anyone else’s house. You need to check in with somebody before you leave. All items need to be delivered to the penthouse or the front desk. Last, you stay upstairs in the guest room when we’re on the road,” he said.

I almost tossed this pizza box at him as he quoted those ridiculous rules.

“Get out,” I said.

Marquise sat back on the couch and signed in with his information on my gaming console.

“Helllooooo,” I said.

Marquise continued to select his player.

“Get used to me because I’m going to be around,” he said.

I stomped to the bedroom, locking the door behind me.