Page 92 of Defending the Post
“Son, hey what’s going on?” he asked, and I squeezed him until he patted me on the back.
Winston’s vile aura had depleted me, and I needed to be refilled with love.
“Love you, Pops,” I said
“I love you too,” he said.
He gave me squinted eyes after he peeled me off him. I found Mom next and after I hugged her; I kissed her cheek.
“Marquise, is the game making you emotional?” she said, and I shook my head no.
Ivey ran from me, but I squeezed her anyway. “Gross, this is going to cost you, Marquise,” Ivey said as I bear hugged her.
“Charge my card,” I said.
“No problem,” Ivey said, and we all laughed.
My eyes found Jhae, and she moved behind Malcolm, leaving my favorite lady, Erin. She stood to the side and giggled as I admired her beauty. The sight of her wearing my jersey with the fresh cut and oversized glasses sent my heart racing. I loved this woman.
“Don’t come over here with all that,” she said in a playful manner, holding her hands up.
I sucked my teeth and secured her, anyway, pecking her lips. “I love you, even though you are a weirdo.”
“I love you too, but I want the chip,” she said, and I chuckled.
“I’ma put in that work,” I said, and she nudged me down for another kiss.
“Hello, everyone. Are we ready to secure the championship?”
I turned to see Stephanie, the chief operating officer of the Basketball League, standing with a familiar face.
“Uncle Maalik,” Erin said and moved in his direction.
He embraced her with a tight hug and kissed her cheek. He introduced her to Stephanie, and they shook hands. The first person I found was Pops. He deflated his chest as Erin greeted Maalik. It amazed me he still hated the man, even though he won the prize. Mom knew she had to play it safe.
“Uncle Maalik. I’m sure you know everyone, but Jhae is my employer and?—”
Erin’s eyes darted over to me as she smiled. Malcolm chuckled, shaking his head. What are the chances he would be her uncle? The last time I saw him, he was groping my mom at a photo shoot. Erin led him over to me.
“Marquise is my boyfriend and don’t tell your brother. I’m working on boundaries,” she said with a glowing smile.
“Marquise,” Maalik said with a hint of hesitance in his tone. The last time we encountered each other, he was pushing up on my mom. I don’t care how mom told the story, he was tonguing her down at the photo shoot. We both probably weren’t looking forward to a family dinner.
“Maalik,” I replied.
“Don’t hurt my niece.”
Erin
The intense stare down between my uncle and Marquise was amusing. It appeared the entire family had some interaction with my uncle. Mr. Jefferies transitioned into a defensive stance as he pulled Anissa closer to him. By the end of the game, I would be getting a text from my daddy. Before I left Abbott’s steakhouse for lunch, I passed Stephanie Uncle Maalik’s number. I figured it couldn’t hurt. She favored Anissa on several levels with her height and build.
“You owe me dinner, young lady,” Uncle Maalik said.
“I promise to connect. Enjoy the game.”
We hugged one last time before he walked away with Stephanie. Marquise’s eyes landed on me, and I chuckled.
“You didn’t tell me Maalik was your uncle,” he said, and I shrugged.
