Page 6 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Three

Collision Course

Two Months Later

Jhae

I pulled into Anissa’s driveway and cupped my heart.

People were driving crazy on the freeway today.

One guy was an inch away from side swiping me.

I rested my back against my white leather seat and counted to ten.

After nine, I secured the handle and opened the door.

There were several cars in the driveway but none of them were Malcolm’s.

My heart leaped for several reasons. I will finally get to hold Khaira without interruption and had no chance of encountering Malcolm.

Never in my life had I monitored a basketball schedule, but after Nevada, I’ve been avoiding him.

During the home games, I was nowhere to be found.

Marquise and Malcolm both had a key to my condo and getting new locks appeared to be a hassle.

For some reason, the change order continued to get deleted or lost in the system.

I have unanswered text messages and unreturned phone calls from him.

Finding out I was his Music Note and MSJ stood for Malcolm Shaw-Jefferies shook me to my core.

For an entire year, he told me countless times on how much he loved her, well me .

If he was anyone else, I would entertain it.

Malcolm was handsome, courteous, articulate, a sweetheart, but my best friend’s son.

I thought he caught the hint, but last week a delivery driver knocked on my door with a briefcase.

MSJ purchased me a platinum necklace with a music charm.

He was instructed not to leave until I signed for it.

At first, I wasn’t going to wear it but after trying it on, it became my favorite piece of jewelry.

Reaching Anissa’s front door, I pressed the doorbell and waited for someone.

“Jhae,” my best friend said as she stood in the doorway.

I stepped inside and we embraced. Anissa carried a bit of baby weight, but she owned it. Khalil had been throwing hiccups in her workout plans. He loved her full hips and breasts.

“I miss you,” I said as we separated.

“Come on in, everybody is already here,” she said, and I trembled.

I flew in last night from Canada. Did I miss a game? I thought to myself.

“Everybody?” I questioned.

Anissa gave me a closed lipped smile paired with squinted eyes.

“Yes, the boys, Khalil, Caleb, and a few of Khalil’s old buddies. Just family, Jhae,” she said.

I swallowed hard and found my smile. “Yeah, family,” I said.

She led the way into the kitchen where Marquise was playing with his baby sister. She giggled as he lifted her in the air, bringing her down for kisses. A wave of panic hit as I searched for Malcolm. The creases in my palms clammed and turned slick thinking about his unknown location.

“It’s taking Malcolm forever,” Anissa said, and my heart rested slightly.

Calm down, Malcolm isn’t going to do anything crazy in front of Anissa, I thought to myself.

Spotting the hand sanitizer, I pumped my hands twice with hopes of holding Khaira. I sprinted around the table and extended my hands in her direction. She looked from me to Marquise and turned away from me.

“That’s right. Let her know who’s number one,” Marquise said.

I tapped his shoulder and mugged him as he laughed. Before I approached him, I knew Khaira wasn’t leaving him, but it was worth a try. She shunned her parents for Marquise. The only person she would leave him for was Malcolm, for obvious reasons.

“Where you been, Jhae? Malcolm and I been looking for you,” Marquise said with loaded eyes.

I licked the front of my teeth before I answered. “Why would you and Malcolm be looking for me? I’m single and busy,” I said with a bit of sarcasm.

“Are you sure you’re single,” Marquise teased.

Anissa shook her head at her son as I widened my eyes in his direction. Marquise’s smirked nearly unraveled me. This was not the time for him to be playing around.

“Jhae, you’re dating?” Anissa asked as she moved around the kitchen.

I calmed my facial expression before I turned and answered. “It’s time, and I think I’m going for someone older, more established,” I said.

“Caleb is still interested,” Anissa said, and I cringed on the inside. He’s attractive but he bored me to tears. There isn’t a spark between us. The bulk of our conversation was him telling me I’m beautiful. Where was his depth? At this point, I might have to date him to get Malcolm to back off.

“He is handsome and established,” I said, and Marquise scoffed.

“Don’t pay Marquise any mind. I think you and Caleb would be cute together. Double date?” Anissa suggested.

I smiled, selecting a piece of celery. The moment she turned her back, Marquise and I latched eyes. He crinkled his nose, judging me.

With the island loaded with unprepared food, I rolled up my sleeves to lend a hand.

“Tell me what to do,” I said to Anissa.

“Potato salad,” Marquise requested from behind me.

Anissa burst into laughter as she seasoned more meat in the aluminum pans.

“Jhae, you know your potato salad be fire. Quit playing and hook it up. Add your garden salad and baked beans to the list,” he said.

I placed my hand on my hip and glared in his direction. He pointed towards the potatoes resting on the island.

“I’ll be your test taster,” he offered.

“No!” Anissa and I said simultaneously.

I ditched my oversized shirt for my tank and washed my hands. With Anissa and me sharing the space, I positioned myself on the opposite side of the island. Peeler in hand, I removed the skin from one potato and secured the next with ease.

“Mom, I grabbed two bottles,” Malcolm said as he entered the kitchen with a bag.

The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention as we made eye contact. I snatched my gaze away, selecting another potato.

“Thank you, baby. Can you take your dad the meat?” Anissa asked, pointing toward the covered pan.

“Sure, Mom. Hi, Jhae, can I get my hug?” he asked, mischief coating his posture and his eyes.

I lifted the potato. “Hands dirty,” I said.

“Wash them,” he instructed.

I paused my hands from gliding over my potato and exhaled hard. Malcolm stood at the tip of the island with the expectation I would follow his command. Fire rushed through me as I bit down on my bottom lip. We made eye contact, and he smirked.

“Malcolm, stop messing with Jhae and take this to your dad,” Anissa instructed, pointing to the pan again.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said to Anissa.

Instead of taking the route that made sense, he squeezed behind me, brushing my back.

My chest jumped as our bodies connected.

With Anissa’s back turned, he lifted the pan with his eyes focused on me.

The determination resting on his shoulders and tight jawline debunked my initial assessment and I made the decision to leave after I finished the potato salad before he reached the bi-fold doors.

Marquise snickered, and I narrowed my eyes.

I counted to ten in silence as I lifted the next potato. Tunneling my anger into my task, I cleared the skin of the potatoes, one right after another.

“Jhae!” Anissa said, and I jumped.

“Yeah,” I responded.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Anissa pointed to my hand. Instead of a potato, I was peeling a banana.

“Sorry, my mind is someplace else,” I said, dropping the peeler.

She touched my hand before she spoke. “Jhae, you know we can talk about it,” Anissa offered, but Malcolm re-entered the kitchen.

“I’m okay. After the potato salad, I’m going to leave. I need some rest,” I said.

“Yea, running will do that to you,” Marquise added, before he blew bubbling noises into his sister’s puffy cheeks.

Malcolm positioned himself at the tip of the island again. My breath hitched, but I calmed myself after I glanced over at Anissa. With her standing in the kitchen with us, he wouldn’t get out of line.

“Where have you been, Jhae? You been ducking me,” Malcolm said.

I transported the potatoes to the sink to rinse them without answering his question.

“Cold,” Marquise instigated.

“Jhae,” he said, and I ignored him, washing the potatoes repeatedly.

Malcolm, please chill out before Anissa starts asking questions. It’s as if he was challenging me.

“Jhae,” Malcolm said.

“Anissa, we should double date at the new restaurant a few blocks away from my condo. Is Caleb allergic to shellfish?” I asked, lifting the pot of potatoes out of the sink.

“You’re not available,” Malcolm said.

Both Anissa and I turned our bodies in his direction. Malcolm’s full attention landed on me.

“Malcolm, what is going on with you?” Anissa asked, and I folded my arms and smirked.

“This is going to get good, ain’t it, Khaira,” Marquise said from the table.

“Jhae isn’t going out on a date with nobody,” Malcolm doubled down and my hands trembled as I swallowed hard.

“And why can’t she go on a date?” Anissa asked.

Malcolm’s eyes danced from his mother’s back to me. I begged him to shut the fuck up from the inside.

“He is looking out for me like any nephew would. Being you are my sister, and I would never do anything to jeopardize our bond,” I said.

Finding a distraction, I selected a grape from the bowl of fruit resting on the counter.

“I am not your nephew. Mom is an only child,” Malcolm countered.

“Malcolm!” Anissa said.

Khaira’s giggles turned into tears, drawing attention from everyone in the room. Marquise bounced his sister to comfort her, but she continued to cry.

“Come on,” Anissa said to her crying daughter. She reached for her but Khaira rejected her, hugging her brother and crying harder.

“Marquise, follow me into her room to get her changed and a bottle. Jhae, can you keep an eye on the food?” Anissa asked.

We weren’t alone for two minutes before Malcolm boxed me in with his hands.

“Have you lost your mind?” I whisper yelled.

“Stop avoiding me, Jhae. Are you trying to kill me? I haven’t seen your beautiful face in two months. Why are you not wearing the matching earrings to your necklace I sent you?” he asked.