Page 10 of Defending the Post
“I’m sorry, Malcolm and Jhae, but he has been rude for no reason. We have never met and there is no excuse for his behavior,” I said.
They both giggled as if they shared an inside joke or something.
“No, allow me to apologize. Marquise has difficulty expressing his emotions, but I believe you two will make good friends,” Malcolm said.
“I will pass,” I said.
We entered the door Marquise left ajar and my mood shifted. The double floor-to-ceiling windows with the floating staircase stole my heart. I gasped as I took in the view of the city against the dark sky. Whomever designed this place picked the perfect oversized hanging lights and contemporary pieces. Jhae giving up her condo for the penthouse made perfect sense. Even the velvet blue couch gave off a luxurious vibe.
“This space is beautiful and this view. I bet it’s romantic here at night,” I said to Jhae and Malcolm.
I noticed Marquise’s head slanted toward his brother. Whatever they said caused Malcolm to give a hard deep chuckle.
“Don’t get no ideas. You live downstairs,” Marquise said.
I turned to Jhae and Malcolm. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I won’t be visiting any place where I am harassed and mistreated,” I said, and moved toward the door.
“Omg... her sensitive ass can’t take a joke,” I heard Marquise say as I shut the door.
Before the elevator doors opened, Marquise stepped into the hallway and stood.
“Weirdo, get back in the condo and calm down. You cussed my ass out in the elevator and now you’re upset,” he said in a mocking tone.
“My name is Erin, Community dick,” I said.
Marquise chuckled at the nickname as he folded his arms across his chest.
The elevator doors opened, and I climbed on, punching the button for my floor. By the time I reached my condo and unlocked the door, Jhae texted me.
Jhae
I’m sorry. Marquise is tripping. I’m going to make him apologize.
Jhae
Girl, I think he is into you, and he is mad about it.
I sighed at the text before I made it to the bedroom. Marquise had frustrated me.
“Weirdo, get back in this condo and calm down,” I mocked, deepening my voice.
Me
Tell him to get over it. He’s rude AF. I’ma kick his ass.
Given the height and gender difference, my comment wasn’t going to happen, but it sounded good. Seeing the time, I toggled over to the contact list and called my best friend.
“You better be telling me you’re headed to a party or laid up with a league player,” my friend, Dawn, said.
If I wasn’t pissed off, I would’ve laughed. We’ve been friends since kindergarten after we fought over the orange crayon. Dawn still worked in Chicago as a radiology technician, but she held a full-time position as my biggest cheerleader.
“That’s what I called to tell you. Search Marquise Shaw-Jefferies,” I requested.
While she completed the task, I unzipped my luggage on the floor.
“Girl, he big fine,” she said.
“Girl, he a big asshole. Let me tell you. Jhae introduced us right...”
