Page 4 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

“She is coming back. Chill out before you run her off. You already kissed her,” Marquise said after he wrapped his arm around my neck.

Like before, he guided me through the gray tunnel to the locker room instead of the concession stand.

“I need you to take one for the team,” Marquise smirked as I continued. “Entertain the friend. I need to keep an eye on Jhae tonight, and she’s already on some bullshit.”

“I have no problem handling the best friend. She fine and I have plenty of condoms,” he said after releasing me from the neck grip.

We entered Nevada’s visitor locker room. Coach didn’t address the team, instead, people were discussing their plans for tonight.

“After the game, I’m going club hopping. The club has been sold out for weeks. The private rooms upstairs will be in full swing,” Anthony said as he slapped hands with Kyle.

He spat out a recipe for disaster and was too dumb to realize it. Mom taught us early how to protect ourselves and our brands as young millionaires.

“Marquise, what’s up? You hanging?” Anthony questioned.

“No, sir. I have my entertainment for tonight,” Marquise said.

Anthony and I glared at each other, and he knew not to ask me that stupid-ass question.

“Count me in,” Clark said as he slapped hands with Anthony.

We will add yet another child support case to his already five kids, not counting the case he is currently battling.

I removed my phone from my bag and found Jhae’s name.

Me

I would like your attention when I call your name.

“You are full of it, Pete,” someone said.

I lifted my head to find him grinding the air next to Clark. Refocusing on my phone, a message came through.

Jhae

Malcolm, what is going on with you?

Me

You are what’s going on with me.

Jhae

This is weird. I’m calling Anissa.

Me

I’m a grown ass man, Jhae. Where are you?

Jhae

I don’t answer to you Malcolm. Wtf.

Me

Wait for me after the game.

Jhae

Why? No, you are acting crazy and it’s freaking me out.

Me

I wasn’t asking or suggesting. Wait for me after the game. We need to talk.

When Jhae didn’t respond to my message, I peered over to Marquise. He cackled as he gave me his eyes.

“What did she say?” I questioned.

My twin brother shrugged, pissing me off with his playful nature. I motioned to stand, but he paused me with his hands.

“What the hell is wrong with Malcolm? Is he okay? Should I call Anissa?” he quoted.

I pinched the tip of my bottom lip with my teeth. The threat of calling my parents added to my anger. Being a professional athlete with multiple streams of income and several properties still didn’t classify me as an adult. Marquise typed on his phone and then looked back at me.

“I told her ain’t nothing wrong with you. You are too old to get into trouble. And...”

The vibration of his phone distracted him.

“Yo girl asked if I wanted to hang out at Club After,” he said.

Standing, I removed his phone from his hand and answered as if I was Marquise.

Me as Marquise

Aight cool. Wait for me after the game.

Jhae

Do not tell Malcolm. He is tripping.

Me as Marquise

What’s up with yo friend?

Jhae

No.

Coach called a time-out at the beginning of the fourth quarter as we gathered around the bench.

He put together some bullshit play, but my eyes located Jhae and her friend.

They returned to their seats, but she ignored me, focusing on her phone.

I gave Marquise the eye, and he zoned in on her friend.

He winked, and she smiled. After she mouthed “later,” I knew he told her to wait for him.

Baby, I have the time ... rang through the stadium and Jhae’s shoulders slumped.

“A timeeeee lesss,” her friend sang and bumped her arm.

Soon, the entire crowd joined in singing and continued after the music stopped. Jhae went through the motions, but I knew she was past “A Timeless Love Can Wait.”

As soon as the buzzer ended the last quarter, I skipped the small talk and headed to the locker room.

Things between Jhae and me were changing as of tonight.

I’m oversleeping alone, worrying about her safety, secretly sending her gifts, and leaving the door open for another man.

I’ve been as patient as I was going to be.

Marquise and I both exited the locker room, re-entering a near empty stadium. Jhae and her friend remained in their seats. My heart raced seeing my woman waiting for me wearing my jersey. As we closed the distance, both ladies stood along with Frank.

“Congratulations on being selected for the All-Star game again,” Chasity said.

My attention rested on Jhae as I scanned her body again and noticed how she moved further away from me.

“Thank you, and your name is?” I interrupted.

“Marquise, meet Chasity. Chasity, Marquise and Malcolm,” Jhae said.

I heard the saltiness in her tone as she spoke my name. Chasity moved closer to Marquise as he kissed her hand. Jhae and I both observed, shaking our heads simultaneously.

“Jhae,” I called her name, and annoyance dressed her face as she folded her arms.

“Yes, Malcolm?”

“C’mon here,” I said, extending my hand in her direction.

“Why?” she questioned.

“Because I asked,” I said.

Jhae diverted her attention down to her phone, dismissing me.

Gripping the top of the black All-Star branded folding chair, I cleared a path.

I captured her elbow and nudged her to me.

Jhae gave me hard eyes as her nostrils flared.

I knew she was pissed but not even anger could subtract from her beauty.

“Malcolm, what the hell is going on with you?” she said with gritted teeth.

“I need to talk to you alone,” I requested.

She moved her eyes from her elbow back to my eyes, requesting her release. I obliged, loosening my grip and she snatched herself free.

“We’re going out. I will catch up once we make it back to L.A.,” she said.

Jhae tapped my upper arm. My head followed her motion as she tried to reduce me to a friend or family. It caused my jaw to flinch.

“It can’t wait, Music Note,” I said.

Using the name I coined for her exposed me.

The color flushed from her face as she connected the dots.

I’ve had numerous conversations with Jhae about the woman I adored.

To conceal her identity, I used the name Music Note.

Jhae offered advice and date night ideas, giving me the playbook.

She staggered away from me without uttering a word.

“Marquise, are you ready?” Jhae stammered.

He shot me a side-eye, quickly catching on and pivoting.

“Bro, you ready?” Marquise asked as he hit my arm.

“Yea, let’s go,” I said, unwilling to remove my focus from Jhae.

Before the night was over, we were having a conversation. I’ve done enough dreaming and sitting on the sideline. It’s time for me to manage the team.

Stepping outside the stadium, both drivers pulled up. Jhae’s driver exited the car first, waiting to open the car door for them to enter.

“Marquise, we will meet you at club After,” Jhae said.

“Why can’t we all ride together? I’m sure the guys won’t mind dropping us off at the hotel,” Chasity vouched, and my body relaxed.

I couldn’t allow Jhae to separate from me. She had already been drinking. Although she had security, Jhae was my responsibility.

“If you ladies planned on drinking, Chasity is right. We need to make sure you make it in your rooms and safe,” Marquise said.

“I have Frank for protection,” Jhae said, cuffing her arm into Marquise’s elbow.

It’s obvious that she was avoiding me. She hadn’t spoken or looked in my direction since we left the court. I chuckled at the notion because, regardless, she was going to end up with me. I suspect things would be rough in the beginning, but we could work through it.

“Jhae, we are supposed to be having fun and you’re bringing your bodyguard? I doubt if anybody is going to be a problem with these two giants,” Chasity said.

I remained quiet because Chasity and Marquise unknowingly did the work for me.

“Alright, Frank, go have fun. Our flight leaves tomorrow at ten,” Jhae said, and her bodyguard double-checked before he left with her car.

We piled inside the SUV Marquise had for the weekend. Jhae cuffed Chasity’s hand, pulling her next to her. I chuckled at her move to keep us from sitting beside each other.

“How do you tell them apart,” Chasity whispered into Jhae’s ear.

Jhae leaned over to answer her question. “Easy, Marquise’s face is slimmer, and he plays too much.” Chasity shifted her body around and glared at us before turning to Jhae.

“No, it isn’t.”

“Yes, it is. To me, they’re not identical. With their mother being my best friend,” Jhae said, elevating her voice. “I’m around them more and see the subtle differences.”

She would soon come to realize that it didn’t matter if Mom was her spiritual advisor, I wasn’t backing down.

Marquise gave a small chuckle as we continued our journey to the club.

If Chasity wasn’t in attendance, I would’ve instructed the driver to take us back to the hotel.

Jhae and I had things we needed to sort out.

My words and feelings were running together, jumbling my thoughts.

The longer we drove, my anxiety was getting the best of me.

The line to the club wrapped around the gray brick building. Chasity and Marquise were pumped as we drove around the block.

“Jhae, can you get us in?” Chasity said, laying it on thick.

Silently, I hoped Jhae didn’t have any connections to this club. Crowds of people and loud music were never my scene. Where most would see dancing, I saw zombies grinding on each other.

“Yes. DJ Bass is hosting. I can get us in,” Jhae said.

We witnessed her tapping on her phone as we circled the block again. Marquise passed me his phone with a message. Are you sure about this club? Crowds of people aren't your thing. I shook my head yea, and he nodded.

“Alright, we are added to the list,” Jhae said and danced her shoulders.