Page 17 of The Only Shot that Mattered

Damien stood. “Call me Damien. I insist.”

She smiled up at him and patted his arm before looking down at Alanzo. “Zo, what do you say?”

Alanzo looked up at Damien and then at his grandmother. “Can I stay here tonight?”

Everyone laughed at his innocent words as he looked around in confusion.

“No, baby. We have to get home.” Annalise rubbed his head, and he leaned into her sleepily.

“You can come back soon, lil homie. We still have to play some ball together,” Damien reminded him.

“Okay.” Alanzo dragged the word out as he rubbed his eyes.

Kenna also stood, prompting Cam to do the same.

“We should get going too. I have to work in the morning,” Kenna said as she looked around before her eyes landed on him. He peeped the blush creeping up her cheeks before she averted her eyes.

Fine ass.

“Don’t just stand there, man. Walk these people out.” Of course, Dax had to be the one to call Damien out for staring. He hadn’t even realized he was gazing at Kenna, but he definitely wasn’t ashamed.

He heard Jendaya snickering before she stood and held her arms out. “Give me hugs.”

Kenna surprised him and walked over to Jendaya first. The two embraced and shared a few hushed words before separating. Cam hugged her next while Kenna stood to the side and fidgeted in place. Damien knew she could feel his gaze, and he decided to let her breathe for a moment.

“I’ll walk y’all out.”

Annalise and Alanzo followed him while Kenna and Cam hung back, saying their goodbyes to his friends.

“Thank you again for having us,” Annalise said when they made it to the door, and then she looked around him before focusing back on his face and whispering, “You better get that girl’s number.”

Damien barked out a laugh. “You think so, Ms. Annalise?”

“I told you, it’s Annalise, and I’m just saying… don’t let the opportunity go. I see how you two look at each other.”

Damien didn’t respond because Cam’s voice rang out down the hall. “Hey, Mr. Blaze, you gonna invite us back to this fancy ass house again?”

“Cam,” Kenna hissed, and Damien turned in time to see her elbow her friend in the side. Jendaya giggled behind them.He knew she got a kick out of them just like he did, probably because their relationship reminded him of them. “Excuse him.”

“It’s cool. I would love for you two to come back. Soon.” Damien’s eyes stayed on hers as his lips turned up into a smirk.

Kenna gazed at him shyly, causing them to end up in a stare-off.

Annalise cleared her throat. “I’m going to get going now…”

Damien tore her eyes from Kenna and looked at Annalise, who had opened the door with a knowing grin on her face. He nodded subtly at her as she and Alanzo slipped out of the house.

Kenna darted over to the door and followed right behind them. “Thank you for having us, Damien. I appreciate it.”

Her words came out in a nervous squeak before she disappeared outside. Damien stood there with his mouth hanging open.What the hell?

Cam sucked his teeth. “That po’ chile.” Damien’s eyes snapped to him. “I knew her ass was going to do that. Give me your phone. I got you. She don’t know no better.”

Damien chuckled and handed Cam his phone. Cam muttered under his breath as he tapped away on Damien’s phone. When he finally handed it back, he smiled at Damien. “Use it wisely.”

Damien looked down at his phone and smiled when he saw Kenna’s number programmed under the namewifey.

“Good lookin’.” Damien gave Cam a side hug before he watched him walk out the door and close it behind him. Damien didn’t even notice. His eyes were stuck on his phone as he grinned down at Kenna’s number.

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