Page 147 of The Love of Priest

They shared goodbyes with Mrs. Cox before she sent them off to go enjoy the rest of the event. "We can't end up like that," Britain murmured.

"Like what?" Priest asked for clarification.

"Like my parents."

Priest let out a sigh as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "We're in control of our future." His low and rugged voice trekked through her ears in a volume so low, it was only loud enough for her to hear. "I love you." He kissed her cheek.

A smile stretched across her gorgeous face. "I love you too."

A basketball game taking place on the blacktop court caught Britain's attention. She wasn't a sport enthusiast, but the way the men were playing on the court looked far more interesting than the regular NBA game. With her hand in Priest’s, they made their way toward the basketball court to join the crowd that stood around it spectating.

"Yo, Priest!" Britain and Priest both turned around at the calling of his name. A smile grew on Priest's face as twelve-year-old Jamari began approaching him and Britain with his smile that was caged by the colored bands in his braces.

Priest unhooked his arm from around Britain to greet Jamari. "What's crackin', kid?" He and Jamari slapped hands with each other.

"Chilling," Jamari shrugged. "Who you got there?" He proceeded to point at Britain with a young, flirtatious smirk.

Finding his little manly demeanor funny, Britain stuck her hand out to him. "I'm Britain, his girlfriend," she introduced herself to him.

"I usually don't do hugs, but for you, I'm willing. You're fine." Jamari smirked while opening his arms for Britain to hug him.

Britain laughed loudly as Priest mean mugged Jamari playfully. She went ahead and gave him a hug, fulfilling Jamari's flirty desires. "You really trying to snatch my shorty up right in front of me?" Priest laughed with a shake of his head.

"At her own will." Jamari rubbed his hands together as he scanned Britain up and down, which resulted in her laughter intensifying.

Priest jokingly nudged Jamari to get his focus off Britain. "She's good where she at." He wrapped his arm around Britain's waist.

Shooting Priest a stale face for blocking, Jamari withdrew his attention from Priest's girl. "I'm still waiting on that ride and ice cream you said you was gonna take me out for." He raised a brow at Priest, reminding him.

Priest chuckled. "I didn't forget about you, Mari. I just got a lot going on right now. How them grades looking, though?"

Jamari retrieved his phone from his back pocket. "See, I knew you was gonna ask. I got it ready for you," he told Priest as he tapped a few things on his phone before handing it over to Priest.

Britain couldn’t help but smile at Priest as he looked over Jamari's grades with satisfaction etched on his face. Priest turned to Britain, allowing her to look over the report card as well.

"These look right to you?" he asked her with a smirk.

Britain laughed lightly. "A's and B's. Looks perfect to me," she approved while handing the phone back over to Jamari.

"Keep up the good work, Mari," he praised with a wide-stretched smile. "I'm busy this week. Next week, I'll stop by."

Jamari smiled his contagious smile that was amplified by his braces. "Cool, Priest. I'm gonna hold you to it."

"Like you always do." Priest laughed as he drew his hand out of his pocket, extracting some money. Britain watched him as he peeled four hundreds from his stack and handed it to Jamari.

"This for your mother. If I find out you shorted her, I'm gone deal with you," he warned Jamari as he handed him the cash.

Jamari folded the money tightly, sliding it into the pocket of his jeans. "Always wanna deal with somebody," he mumbled with a playful roll of his eyes. "Thanks for looking out, PJ," he expressed his gratitude, knowing his mother would appreciate the gesture immensely.

Priest nodded before pulling Jamari in for a hug. "You're good, man. Have fun and stay safe," he advised before sending him off.

Britain held onto his muscular arm with a proud smile etched on her face as she looked up at him. "You're such a beautiful soul," she praised him.

"I do what I can," he shrugged lightly.

J'Ru eventually joined Priest and Britain to watch the basketball game that was more entertaining because of the trash talk the men playing carelessly spewed. When Kaymen joined them as well, Britain glanced in his direction, making immediate eye contact with Jadey, who stood with Kaymen's arms snaked around her waist as she stood before him. Britain quickly looked away, not giving Jadey a chance to give her the look of sorrow.

Jadey hated the fact that she and Britain were in the same breathing space and didn't even utter a word to each other. Things used to be so different before their friendship was dismantled by Caroline. She missed Britain, but it was evident that Britain wasn't feeling the same."Kay, should I go talk to her?" Jadey asked Kaymen.

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