Page 4

“Legacy,” Givens said as I stood on the other side of the door, staring him down. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and a smirk on his face. I narrowed my eyes and mugged him hard. I didn’t hate Givens; if anything, I loved that he was dating my best friend and loved her, but we were in a standoff. He’d shown his ass not too long ago and dragged me into some drama with Mercy that I still hadn’t forgiven him for.

“Givens,” I replied.

“You ain’t forgave me yet?” he laughed, then pushed from the frame and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I said I was sorry.”

“Has she given you hell every day since?” I asked as I went back to packing my gym bag. “Because if she hasn’t, I can’t forgive you yet.”

“Man, Burglar gives me hell every day,” he answered with a laugh. “And so does our daughter.”

“I hope you get gray hair early,” I said as I closed my bag and stood. Givens laughed and shook his head. “And my niece is innocent of all things.”

“Faylin got all y'all wrapped around her finger, and y'all don’t even realize it,” he said, kissing his teeth.

“Wrong, we realize it; we just don’t care.” I shrugged, then closed my locker and approached him. Givens put his hand out, and I looked down at it, confused.

“Give me your bag,” he instructed, and I shook my head. “Point Guard, you are stubborn, and I’m trying to call a truce.”

“Why?” I narrowed my eyes at him and waited. Despite what the news and media tried to say, Givens was a good guy. I knew that because I was around him enough to see for myself; plus, Mercy and her family accepted him. The DeCortes did not take just anyone into their fold, and they welcomed him and his daughter without hesitation. “What do you want?”

Givens looked over his shoulder and then turned back to me. When he did, he pulled one of his hands from his pocket, and inside it was a small jewelry box. He flipped it open and inside sat the prettiest engagement ring I’d ever seen: a platinum band with a radiant-cut yellow diamond. It was intricate, with its yellow, orange, and white diamonds woven together. The central diamond had to be at least seven carats, and from the smile on Givens’ face, he was satisfied with how it looked.

“Here,” I handed him my bag and took the box from his hand to examine the ring. The light hit it, and all I could do was smile. My friend was getting her happily ever after, and I was happy that I could witness it.

“You think she’s going to like it?” he questioned, and I looked up to see a nervous smile on his face. “And don’t lie to me, either, cuz if you don’t, then I can call Yale right fucking now and tell her to get her ass back in town so we can get it right.”

“She’s going to love it, Givens,” I laughed and shook my head. “And who is Yale?”

“The jeweler, we go back. She’s Pyrite’s brother Amethyst’s something.” He wiped his hand over his mouth and shrugged. “I don’t know if they’re friends anymore, but at one point, they were connected at the hip.”

“What happened?” I questioned as I continued to look at the ring. I didn’t take it out of the box because I always thought it was rude. The only woman who was supposed to handle an engagement ring was the woman for whom it was intended.

“Man, that ain’t my story to tell,” he answered with a laugh. I cut my eyes at him, and he laughed harder. “All I’m saying is if Amethyst and Yale want their story told, they will have to tell it.”

“Okay.” I handed him the ring back and put my hand out for my bag.

Givens put the box back in his pocket and then pushed my hand away. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“I don’t need you to,” I denied, shaking my head. The last thing I needed was for anyone to see Givens and me together. The rumors would start, and I prided myself on staying out of the headlines.

“I didn’t ask,” he said, staring down at me. “I’m walking you to your car. Now, let’s go.”

I sighed and then nodded because I knew that if I didn’t, we would stand here until I gave in. Givens was stubborn enough to stand here all night if necessary.

“Fine.”

“I’m glad you see it my way,” he said.

We walked through the tunnels toward the player parking garage. The tunnels were quiet; the only sound that could be heard was the soft hum of the central air and faint music.

“I gotta check on Hood right fast,” Givens said when we approached the weight room. He pulled the door open, and I stepped inside. My eyes went to Hood on the treadmill, and I freely watched him run in place. His back was to us, so I let my eyes linger on the tattoos that littered his back. “That nigga don’t bite; you know that, right?”

“Huh?” I turned to look at Givens, who only smirked.

“Nothing,” he replied, then walked to the treadmill. He tapped Hood on his arm to attention. Hood took his headphones off but kept his pace. “You good?”

“I’m straight,” Hood answered without breaking his stride. His deep voice washed over my skin like a warm blanket. “I appreciate you checking in.”

“Let me know what y’all need,” Givens said, and they dapped each other up. “I’ll be back so we can chop it up; let me walk Legacy out.”

Hood stopped the treadmill and turned to face me. His dark eyes took me in without shame, and I felt my nipples harden. He licked his plump lips and threw me a nod. “What’s good, point guard?”

“Hey,” I replied. When Aceyn’s eyes met mine, I realized how sad he looked. “You good?”

“Are you?” I took a step forward, then stopped myself. I’d met Aceyn ‘Hood’ Bowlin’s when Pyrite recruited me to play for the Queens, and ever since we shook hands, I’d tried to steer clear of him. Hood was fine with his golden skin, square face, full lips, flared nose, thick eyebrows, and naturally low-slanted eyes. When we’d first met almost a year ago, he wore his hair in locs, but he’d recently cut them and now rocked a tapered fade. He stood close to six-five and was in great shape. As the team’s doctor, he prided himself on keeping us in shape so he wouldn’t slack when it came to his health.

“I’m straight,” he said, nodding. “Thank you for asking.”

“You sure?” I lifted my right brow in question, and he nodded.

“I got it, point guard,” he replied.

Givens’ phone started ringing, and he stepped to the side to answer it.

“You get your work out in with no problems?” Hood asked, and I nodded. “You know you’re scheduled to be in my office tomorrow, right?”

“Really?” I pulled my phone from my pocket and checked my calendar. “I don’t have it in here.”

“You are,” he shrugged. “Be here around eleven.” I opened my mouth to object, but Hood shook his head. “Be here, point guard.” The authority in his voice made me nod, and he smirked. “Appreciate it.”

Givens came back and handed Hood my bag. “Walk her to her car, then meet me back here.”

“Why?” Hood questioned Givens as he took my bag and threw it over his shoulder.

“Pyrite texted me; he got his payment,” Givens cryptically answered. They shared a look before Hood nodded and approached me. “Point guard, we have to link soon to go over plans for the engagement.”

“Okay,” I agreed, nodding. “Call me tomorrow.”

“Bet,” he said.

Hood opened the door to the weight room, and we left. The walk through the tunnels to the garage was quick, even though we strolled. Hood had a natural swag to his walk that emphasized his bow-leggedness and sex appeal. When we got to my car, I pressed the small button on the handle to disengage the locks and pulled the door open.

“Thank you for walking me to my car,” I said.

Givens checked our surroundings, then turned his attention to me and nodded. “It’s nothing,” he said slowly. “What’s that?” I threw my bag into the car and looked up to see what had his attention.

“What?”

He stepped into my space and reached around me to pick up a black rose under my windshield wiper. My face twisted in annoyance, and I shrugged. My attention wasn’t on my car, so I didn’t notice the rose, but I wasn’t surprised.

“You got secret admirers and shit, Point Guard?” he asked as he rolled the rose between his index finger and thumb.

“I guess you could say that,” I said, then put my hand out for the rose. Hood lifted his brow in question but didn’t move to give me the flower. “Sometimes, I randomly get flowers.” I pointed to my back seat, where I’d thrown the random flowers I’d been left over the last few days. “I have no clue who is leaving them.”

“You only get them when you’re here?” he asked, and I shook my head. “No?”

“Most of the time, it’s here,” I answered with a shrug. “I’m pretty sure it's innocent, but I’m taking precautions, too.”

“Like?” His attention was on the rose in his hand, but when he looked up at me, I could feel the anger he was trying to keep at bay.

“I have a running log of location, time, and kind of flower. It’s not always roses,” I answered, and he nodded. “I’ve already gone to the police, but they said it wasn’t anything they could do because someone was just leaving flowers.”

“Whoever it is, is playing with their life,” he chuckled lowly and shook his head. “Call me next time you’re out and get one.”

“I can handle it,” I insisted, but Hood shook his head.

“Call me, Point Guard,” he repeated. “I don’t give a fuck about the time or where you’re at. Dial my fuckin’ number.” I opened my mouth to reply, but he closed the distance between us, and I had to look up at him. Even though I was a tall woman, standing at five-ten without shoes, Hood still had a few inches on me. “It ain’t up for debate. Call my shit. You understand?”

“Yes,” I answered as I stared up at him.

“Alright, now get out of here; text me when you make it home.” He quickly kissed my forehead and stepped back. Instantly, I missed the heat of his body and wanted him to invade my space again.

I got in the car, pressed the push to start, and then closed my door once Hood was satisfied and stepped back. I gave him a small wave, put the car in drive, and pulled out of my parking space.

I turned onto the highway and waited for my phone to connect my call.

“What’s up?” Mercy said, sounding out of breath.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I maneuvered my car through traffic. “And why do you sound out of breath?”

“I was having a Nerf gunfight with Judah, Deuce, and Faylin,” she laughed. “What are you doing?”

“Just leaving the arena,” I answered. “I saw your man there.”

“Yeah, he just texted me and said he had to handle something with Hood and Pyrite, so he would be home later than expected,” she said. “Oh, you should come over.”

“Why?” I said, even though I was switching lanes to get off the highway. Mercy’s house wasn’t too far from mine. “What’s going on?”

“Deuce is here, and Faylin is going out on a date,” she laughed, and I shook my head. Even though Deuce was six, he’d declared that Givens’ daughter was his future wife and was sticking to his word. Her going on a date was going to cause some havoc.

“Does he know?” I asked.

“Nope,” she replied. “He wasn’t supposed to be here, but he and Judah popped up about an hour ago with Krude and didn’t want to leave. I told him I would take them home later.”

“You set up your daughter,” I jokingly accused her.

“No, I completely forgot about her going out until she reminded me while we were playing. I called Cross to see if she or Nine could pick him up, but they are on the other side of the town and won't get here in time.”

“Who is she going out with?” I got off the highway and made my way to her house.

“Just August, Lulu, and some of the other kids.”

“That’s not a date,” I kissed my teeth.

“We know that, but Deuce is going to see August and be ready to cause hell,” she whispered. “I’m going to need help.”

“Call one of your cousins.”

“Like who?” she replied with a laugh. “Every single one of them will egg Deuce on, and you know it.”

I bit my bottom lip as I thought about what she said, knowing she was right. Not one of the DeCortes was going to be on Faylin’s side. The men would be ready to go to war over her going out, and the women would laugh at everything. Did we see the hypocrisy of this six-year-old declaring that Faylin was his future wife because if Deuce were a girl and Faylin a boy, we’d be going off? Absolutely, but we also knew that we didn’t acknowledge that Deuce would become more possessive, and no one wanted that.

“Shit, you’re right,” I said with a laugh. I turned onto her block and sighed. “Open the door, I’m pulling up.”

We hung up as I pulled into the driveway and shut off the car. Mercy opened the door, and I shut off my car and got out.

“You know you don’t need that gun, right?” I laughed as I pointed to the gun in her hand.

“Gated community or not, I’m not playing about my safety or yours,” she said with a shrug. “Now, get your ass in here so I have backup against Deuce.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m just here to be fed and entertained,” I said as I passed her. Mercy looked down at me and shook her head.

“I’m going to get a new best friend one day,” she mumbled, and I playfully rolled my eyes.

“One of Xoey’s personalities is probably free,” I laughed as I took off my slides and put them by the door.

“Hard pass.” She closed the door and tucked her gun into the back of her sweats. “You hungry for real?”

“What did you cook?” I asked as we made our way into the open living room. Deuce and Judah were sitting on the couch, playing on their Switches. They looked up at me, set them down, and then came over to hug me before returning to their games.

“Smothered chicken, wild rice, roasted green beans, and a small salad,” Mercy answered as she made her way to the kitchen.

“Make that plate.” I pointed to her, and she nodded and did what I asked. I took a seat on the island and watched as she worked. In college, we spent our free time either on the court or like this, with her cooking and me eating. “Have you seen Hood lately?”

“No, why?” she answered with a shake of her head as she made my plate.

“He looked like something was bothering him when I saw him earlier,” I answered, and Mercy nodded. “He was kind of withdrawn, which isn’t like him.”

“I’ll ask Givens about it tonight.” Mercy put my plate down in front of me, and instantly, my mouth watered. I said a quick prayer and then started to eat. Faylin came downstairs and came directly over to me. She threw her arm over my shoulder and leaned her head against mine. “Hi, niece.” When she batted her naturally long lashes at me, I knew she was going to ask me to do something. “What is it?”

“Distract Deuce?” she whispered, and I immediately shook my head. “Please? I don’t want him to get mad when he sees August.”

“That man is not about to have his parents freezing my accounts if I help you,” I whispered back and tried not to laugh. Cross and Nine Strong would do whatever for their son, and even though it sounded childish, I knew that to prove a point, they would help him make everyone’s life a living hell.

“I just need–” the doorbell rang, and we all turned to look at the front door. Faylin sighed, then turned to Deuce, still playing his game. “Deuce?”

“Yes?” he answered without taking his eyes off his game.

“I’m going out with some friends,” she said, and Mercy and I tried our hardest not to laugh. She didn’t sound annoyed or afraid, more so apprehensive of hurting Deuce’s feelings.

“You need some money?” Deuce stood and dug into his pocket to pull out his wallet. “Take the blue dino card; it has the money I won from playing Krude.”

“I don’t need money, Deuce,” Faylin denied, shaking her head.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Mercy make her way to the front door.

Deuce looked up at Faylin with confusion etched into his features. His eyes went from Faylin to the group walking into the house. When his eyes landed on August, he ran his tongue over his teeth.

“Deuce,” Mercy said his name in a warning tone, and he simply nodded his head and retook his seat. I was a little surprised that he gave in so quickly. If I knew him like I thought I did, he’d be showing out sooner or later.

Faylin quickly rounded up her friends, and they left. Once they were gone, Deuce let out a small laugh and went back to playing his game.

“You know, Mercy, people fall down the stairs every day, and no one bats an eye,” Judah, who was quiet the entire time, said without looking up from his Switch.

“Right,” Deuce agreed as he played his game. “Accidents happen every day.”

Mercy and I exchanged worried looks before she pulled her phone from her pocket and started swiping the screen. I prayed she was texting his parents to let them know how calm he was about the situation.

Mercy came to stand next to me. “I’m pretty sure he’s plotting August's downfall,” she whispered, and I nodded. “My daughter is screwed.”

“You might want to tell December that his brothers’ life is in danger,” I whispered back.

“I did,” she replied, then turned to Deuce. “Hey, Deuce?”

“Yes, ma’am?” he looked at her with an innocent look.

“Who told y’all about people falling down the stairs?” she questioned.

“Granddaddy,” he answered with a shrug. “He said that a few folks he knows took a tumble when they stepped to Madea.”

“Shit, it’s genetic,” I groaned, then went back to eating.

* * *

I parked my car in my garage and shut it off. Slowly, the door shut, and I closed my eyes. I was tired, ready to sleep and do everything I did today and again tomorrow. The soft click of the door closing made me open my eyes, and I sighed. Even though I told Hood that I wasn’t worried about the roses, truthfully, I was.

I checked my surroundings, ensuring nothing was out of place, before getting out of the car and entering the house. My alarm's soft chirp hit my ears, and I sighed; it’d been tripped again. I went to the panel to check the time stamp for the disturbance before putting in the code, dropped my bag on the island in the kitchen, and opened it. I may have talked shit to Mercy about having her gun out when I came over earlier, but I was on the same thing she was. My hand went around my Glock, and I pulled it from my bag. Quietly, I checked my house; once I was finished, I sat on the edge of my bed and dropped my head into my hands.

My bedroom had been touched; I knew it because of the smell. I loved cherry, but a hint of sandalwood drifted through the air. The top drawer on my dresser was open and I knew I closed it this morning before I left. All that could be ignored, but not the black rose taped to the mirror. I stood, tucked my gun into my shorts, walked to the dresser, and snatched the rose from the mirror.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” I yelled, returned to the kitchen, and threw the rose into the trash. My phone vibrated in my bag; I dug it out, swiped the screen, and tried not to cry.

Unknown:

I miss you.

We belong together.

Distance means nothing.

You’ll be my wife.

I love you.

I’m coming for you.

I set the phone on the island and backed away from it, not stopping until my back hit the wall, and I slid down the wall. I wrapped my arms around my legs and pulled them close. I shouldn’t have lied to Aceyn and said the flowers were innocent and probably nothing. The sound of my phone continuing to vibrate echoed through my house for the next few hours. When it finally stopped, I was so tired I couldn’t move; I fell asleep in the kitchen corner.