Page 56 of Full Court Press

“What? Lilo, I told you about letting her take her out of here. That girl ain’t to be trusted!”

“What did you want me to do, Nana? You were out living your best life, and she wanted to take her to her little cousin’s birthday party.”

“Then you should have called me, and I would have taken her to the party. That child ain’t fit, Khalil. I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to tell you that before you get it.”

“She knows better. Why you beefing on me?”

“Because you’re allowing her to manipulate you, like you always do. But whatever. I’m only giving it two hours, then I’m going to get her. I don’t like her or her family. Weird-ass people,” Nana seethed, walking away from us.

“Don’t try to deflect from the fact that you dating that old nigga and ain’t brought him to meet me yet. He needs to ask for my blessing to date my grandma!”

“Precious Piper. Get him out of here before he gets these hands.”

I giggled and pushed Khalil out the door. We walked to his truck, and he opened the door.

“Fix your face, sir. That is a grown woman.”

“I don’t care. He needs to respect the people in her life and have the courtesy to introduce himself to me.”

“You’re just a big baby. Leave my nana alone. She deserves happiness too.”

“Pipe?”

“Hmm?”

“Get your ass in the truck.”

I laughed and got in, then we headed to Halloween City.

Tonight was the biggest Halloween party of the year, and the ladies and I were at Jessica’s sorority house, getting ready for the night. Khalil suggested that we be Barney and Betty Rubble, and I must say, I definitely pulled off the look.

The costume was too sexy for my liking, but I had been getting compliments from all the ladies in the house since I stepped out of the room. Khalil wanted to be surprised when he saw me, so he wanted to get dressed separately.

We were currently in the kitchen while Sasha, Jessica’s sorority sister, poured shots of D’USSÉ in the spooky shot glasses. The music was loud, and everyone looked really good.

“Alright, ladies. Tonight is going to be wicked—in a good way—so let’s toast to a good night and prayers that no one ends up pregnant!” Dina yelled in excitement as we all laughed. Braelyn handed me a shot, and we tossed them back. Her costume of choice was the Corpse Bride, and I had to say she looked super cute in a creepy way.

“Woohoo!” another one of Jess’s sorority sisters yelled.

I cringed from the nasty taste but accepted the second one she handed me. Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” queued, and that made the girls go wild. I laughed and stood at the table while they pre-gamed and danced. This was probably the most fun I’d had in all my years of existence, aside from dates with Khalil.

I didn’t go to parties or hang out with females. My childhood best friend, Angela, moved away when we were thirteen, and we lost touch. After that, I kept to myself and may have hung out with a few girls from high school from time to time, but it was never frequent. It was because they hung out with Cumbiana (Sabrina), so I would un-invite myself whenever she’d come around.

“You ready to have fun, girly?” Brae asked me.

“Not really looking forward to being around a big crowd, but I guess so.”

“You’ll be fine. You have me, Jess, Robyn, Genny, and Khalil. Just know you gon’ make some chicks mad tonight!” She giggled.

I frowned in confusion. “Why? What do you mean?”

“You have one of the most popular niggas on your top, and you look hella good tonight. Them hoes gon’ be dripping with envy!”

“That doesn’t make me feel good, Brae,” I told her.

“If you plan to be with Khalil exclusively, then just know that it comes with the territory. Do you know how many stank looks I get by dating the star football player? Those skanks can’t stand how into me he is, and I make sure I hold my head up high and give them that look that lets them know I’m never bothered. I need my best friend to do the exact same because Khalil Grey is wrapped around your ass like an anaconda. Let them bitches know what it is!”

I chuckled lightly. “I’m not ready for all of that.”