Page 25 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

The thing I noticed about Nia and Anissa was they trusted their men with everything.

I personally witnessed Khalil fight for Anissa’s heart and for Nia to give up her family—Ace had to be special.

If anyone was going to take care of me, it was Malcolm.

For years, I’ve written and sung other people’s love stories, but this time I wanted my own.

I prayed Nia was right about Anissa being my true friend.

My eyes lifted as Malcolm re-entered the room. His brown eyes commanded my attention. Damn, he was fine. I wonder if he would be willing to let his beard grow a few more inches. He pecked my lips before sitting halfway on the dresser.

“Tyrus, I understand and yes I’m taking this seriously,” I said, before I pressed the end button. I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and Malcolm chuckled.

“I came to get you. Marquise is already downstairs at the restaurant,” he said.

He followed me out the door and to the elevator.

Standing next to him, I snickered at the height difference.

Even in heels, kissing required him to bend down.

Once the doors opened, we climbed on, and I purposely stood in front of him.

Malcolm pinched my butt, and I jumped before he kissed my temple.

Stepping inside the restaurant, we found the server smiling at Marquise.

“My brother,” Malcolm projected loud enough for me to hear.

Malcolm pulled out my chair opposite Marquise.

“Baby, I’m going to the bathroom. Order for me,” Malcolm said to me, and I nodded.

As soon as Malcolm turned the corner, Marquise gave me a silly smirk. I ignored him and flipped through the menu.

“You better not hurt my brother,” he mocked.

I peeked above the menu. “I have no intentions of hurting your brother, Marquise. And where is your jewelry and...”

“No, ma’am. I don’t travel with jewelry without security. I have the tendency to invite guests to my room,” he said.

“When are you going to settle down?” I questioned.

Marquise placed his hand over his heart. “I’m offended you’re trying to limit my imprint on the world,” he said with a sad face to match.

“Are you ready to order?” the server said.

I knew from her shoulder length braids, full hips and brown skin Marquise was going to run game. He loved all women, but a plus size woman drove him wild.

“I’m ready to order,” I interrupted Marquise before he could speak. “I would like the scramble bowl with green bell pepper. I also want to order the steak omelet with no tomatoes, add jalapenos, and mushrooms, with hash browns fried hard on a separate plate,” I said.

“I’ll have the same omelet,” Marquise said, licking his lips seductively at the server.

I shook my head in disbelief as he continued to observe her walking away.

“You think you know my brother, don’t you?” Marquise said with amusement written on his face.

I rolled my eyes at his statement.

“Did you get me something?” Malcolm said as he took his seat next to me.

I glared up at him, taking in his smooth brown skin, faded beard and brown eyes. He smirked, leaving me wanting to melt into a puddle. I wanted to pull him to me for a kiss, but I thought better of it, considering our surroundings.

“Shit, y’all in love. Now I have to look at it,” Marquise said.

Malcolm darted his eyes over at his brother. “I signed your name for three high school boys. They got plans for you once they get in the league,” Malcolm said.

Underneath the table, Malcolm lightly tugged my elbow gaining my eye contact. I could get lost in his handsome face.

“Did you order me something?” he asked.

I shrugged, then smiled. “Yes, I ordered you and Marquise a steak omelet, no tomatoes, add mushrooms, and hash browns fried hard on a separate plate.”

Malcolm bit the tip of his bottom lip. “I guess I wasn’t the only one paying attention, Music Note.”

“Somebody bring out the violin,” Marquise teased as held up a fake instrument to his arm.

“Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt,” Nia said as she stood at the end of the table.

I stood and gave her an embrace but behind her stood a staff member hoisting two basketballs.

“Malcolm and Marquise, please meet my friend and general manager, Nia Wilson,” I said.

She extended her hand for a shake.

“The owner of Exclusive wants a signed basketball along with my husband. Do you mind?”

I turned to Malcolm and danced my brows. He smirked as he stood to his feet. Malcolm signed his name first and then passed Marquise the balls.

“Thank you. Oh, and Marquise, keep your dick out of my front staff,” Nia said.

Marquise lifted his hands in a surrendering motion and smiled.

“Ariel was late for work this morning,” she said.

“No, ma’am. I don’t do overnight guests. Maybe she was somewhere else,” Marquise said.

Nia cut her eyes at him before leaving the table. Shortly after, our food came out.

“How long are we in Chicago?” Marquise asked.

My eyes toggled over to Malcolm. He bit into his omelet before answering.

“One more day, for sure. Jhae and I have plans tonight,” he said.

Marquise nodded his head and said, “me too as soon as the server comes back.”

“Where are we going?” I asked Malcolm as I sat next to him.

He kissed my temple. “It’s a surprise, but I think it might help with your writing problem.”

He squeezed my hand a few times and shimmied, causing us both to smile.

The Chicago city lights are unmatched. Surrendering my heart to Malcolm has put me at ease.

After breakfast this morning, we laid in bed and did nothing.

Being wrapped in his long muscular arms while he kissed me was a dream I wanted to remain on repeat.

The driver pulled in front of the building with a neon sign: The Brass.

I followed Malcolm inside. We weaved through the tables of the small venue.

The energy of people talking, eating and the sounds of actual live bands fueled me.

We found the perfect seat in the back right corner.

The lighting was low, but bright enough for us to see.

Using the QR code, we ordered wings and mocktails.

Underneath the table, Malcolm secured my hand within the smooth texture of his skin, warming me.

“Coming to the stage is the up-and-coming artist, Raven,” the guitarist said.

A young woman stepped on the stage with wild curls, wearing a mixture of non-matching fabrics and colors. The spotlight highlighted the brown hue of her skin. People clapped, giving me chills of anticipation.

“Call me crazy, but I turned down a record deal today. The executives tried to change me. My music and identity are one. I told them I didn’t need the lights and extras they were offering. I’ll keep walking on this stage with bare feet until you guys tell me to put on shoes.”

The crowd laughed and clapped for Raven.

The sound of the bass guitar and keyboards electrified me.

I swayed my body from side to side, bouncing my shoulders as she belted with a sultry but powerful voice.

Chills aligned my arms, and her voice raced through my core. She was feeding my empty musical cup.

By the third song, tears adorned my face as she came to terms with me.

“A Timeless Love Can Wait” resonated with people because it was raw.

I didn’t have a top dollar producer in Anissa’s backyard.

My emotions were my producer. They fed me the beat and wrote the song.

I had lost myself behind the machine this very artist spoke about.

My writer’s block had everything to do with me abandoning the basics.

It wasn’t until Malcolm pushed me into a place of being uncomfortable that I was able to put pen to the pad again.

“Music Note, welcome back,” Malcolm whispered in my ear, following it with a hand kiss.

“How long have I been gone?” I asked.

He gave a light chuckle. “Too long.”

I sat next to Malcolm, and he became my muse as the words flowed through me.

We stared into each other’s eyes as the music disappeared into the background.

I was searching for a source of love to write about, and he was sitting in front of my face.

Our developing love story already had lyrics and a beat.