Page 29 of Full Court Press

I laughed. “You’re only right about two things. I liked him, but now I hate him again.”

“Again?”

“Yeah. I hated him when I first got here because he was being a jerk. Then he apologized, so I decided not to be mean to him, but it backfired.”

“How so?”

“We have to work on a group assignment together and was supposed to meet at the library, but he ended up taking me to his house. Mama, his house is so big and beautiful. Anyway, we went there to work on the paper, and I found out he has a baby. A three-month-old daughter. I already wasn’t comfortable with him taking me to his home, but after meeting his grandmother, she made me feel welcome . . .”

“And?” she asked, bringing me back from thoughts of him.

“Oh, sorry. Anyway, we were vibing, and I realized I liked him and wanted to, you know.”

“Have sex with him?”

I slapped my palm on my face, trying not to remember how he made me feel. “Yes. I ended up spending the night, and something happened. Then I got woken up by his child’s mother yelling and trying to fight me.”

“Are you serious? You had sex with him?”

“No, but he went down on me.”

“Oh, my word!”

“Twice.”

“Okay, I can only take so much, chile. But I know he didn’t play with you like that, knowing he’s still with the mother. Why would he even bring you to their house and do that shit to you?”

“That’s what I said. He claims they’re not together, and she doesn’t live with him, but how was she able to get in the house at five in the morning?”

“Exactly. Stay away from him, baby. From the sound of things, it sounds real messy, and I don’t want you getting mixed up in no mess. If that hussy would have touched you, I would have been on the first flight out to put my foot up her ass.”

I laughed. “I would have handled her myself. Trust me.”

“Those are facts.”

“But now we have to finish the assignment, and I honestly don’t want to see him again or have to work with him.”

“I’m sure, but your education is important. Just do the assignment, and be done with him. I’m sure you’ll meet someone who isn’t full of it or has baggage.”

“Yeah, . . . hopefully.”

We talked for a bit more before we ended the call with me telling her I’d be home for Thanksgiving. I plugged in my cell and stared up at the ceiling.

I hated that Khalil was living rent free in my mind. I shouldn’t have let it happen; now I felt things for him when I knew I shouldn’t.

Let it go, Piper. He’s only going to break your heart anyway. It’s best this happened now before it went any further. Just 136 more days before this is over.

One Week Later

“This is your last semester before you’re off to the NBA. How are you feeling about everything?” the Athletic Director, Mr. James, asked me while we sat in his office. Counselor Dickerson sat in the chair in the corner; the assistant Athletic Director, Mr. Adams, sat in the chair across from him; and Coach Eddie sat beside me.

They wanted to meet with me to go over a few things before the combine. This week had been up and down for me. Not only was Nia on bullshit, but Coach also having us practicing and conditioning for a game this coming Saturday was wearing me out.

Even though I wasn’t in the best of moods, partially because of Nia and Piper, I still sat up in the chair and smiled. “I feel good. Academically, I’m flourishing. Athletically, I’m still the best to ever do it. And physically, I’m built to last. No complaints here.”

They all chuckled.

“That’s good to hear. The combine is just a few short months away. You ready for that?” AD Adams asked.