Page 7 of Defending the Post
After twisting them in her hands then dropping them, Anissa was able to catch them before they collided with the ground. Khaira pointed toward the court. Following her finger, it ended at Marquise. He was posted underneath the net, defending another player. Khaira opened and closed her hands, summoning him to her.
“Key,” she said, and leaned in his direction.
“Sorry, she is trying to use you to get to her brother. He spoils her rotten,” Anissa said, as she retrieved her daughter.
“Awwww, that’s too cute,” I said. “I’m going to the concessions. Do you or anyone want anything?” I asked.
“No thank you,” she said, handing me back my oversized frames.
It took three people bumping into me before I dropped my hospitality. For some reasonexcuse me, hadn’t entered the arena. People swarmed the space as we all held the same agenda: hydration, food, or the bathroom. Finally, making my way to the front of the line, I ordered two drinks and candy.
“Twenty-five dollars,” the attendant said.
I blinked twice with a head jerk at the price. The attendant urged me to hurry up with her hand motions. I huffed at her rudeness but paid in a hurry. My first impression of California wasn’t anything close to the commercials I’d seen. People were shaping up to be rude, and a mean-mugging basketball player rubbed me the wrong way. I snatched my two bottled drinks and candy from the counter. Shifting my body around, I bumped into the back of a woman in a denim jacket.
“Excuse me,” I said, but smiled once I recognized the face.
“Erin, what are you doing here?” Tracy asked.
We embraced each other, disregarding the people groaning from behind. She ushered me to the side, finding us a small pocket to talk.
“I’m here with my employer,” I said.
Tracy and I met as interns in artist development and wardrobe with Midwest Records. After a year, she moved to L.A. with $1500 and a dream. The stars aligned, and she hit it big with a fashion house.
“You’re still with Midwest,” she said with concerned eyes.
“Nope, I took the leap of faith after I graduated last week. I work for Jhae on an independent label,” I said.
She fanned herself, and I narrowed my eyes.
“Her husband is fine as hell. The internet was in shambles when she dropped the photo of them together. I would’ve dated both,” she said.
I covered my mouth, hiding my shock, a habit I developed as a child. They broke the internet on Christmas when he kissed her at the game. Later, she posted pictures of their wedding bands and them in the studio. Everybody at the record label scoured the internet being nosy because we didn’t see this one coming. I thought she was best friends with his mom. Thinking of that, I noticed some awkwardness between them.
Tracy was no lightweight in the looks department. She had a unique style with her choice of clothing, but she was mainly complimented on her chocolate skin and full lips.
“Jhae is in L.A., right?” Tracy asked, and I confirmed with a headshake.
“I’m in L.A. for the most part. A real friend would invite me over. I heard some things about Marquise, but I’m a researcher at heart. Do you have the same number?” she said.
I rolled my eyes at the thought of Marquise. He’d been an asshole from hello without using his words.
“You want him?” she asked.
I scowled before I turned to find the man who had bumped me as he passed by.
“Oh, damn,” she said.
“He is all yours but let me warn you. He is a level two asshole. Jhae introduced us and why he left my hand in midair? As if he is too good to touch me,” I said, and tucked my bottled drink under my arm.
“Oh, he wants you. Marquise is a sweet talker with a big dick. Never mean, but a habitual ghostier,” she said.
“No, you will not be mean to me and think it’s cute.”
Tracy smiled as she double-checked, she had the right number for me. We parted with plans to reconnect. I made it back to my seat with a vow not to leave it again. Jhae had abandoned her seat, leaving a space between me and Ivey. I peeked up to see the second quarter was ending, then Ivey moved closer to me, and I smiled.
“Jhae went to check on Icey, but my brother is digging you,” she said.
