Page 57 of Full Court Press

“Don’t worry. After two more shots, you’re not going to give one fuck. Here.” She handed me another shot.

“I see all that trying not to curse isn’t working tonight.” I smirked.

“I’ve been drinking. I’ll repent tomorrow.”

“Girl!” We both laughed and tossed back the shots. After twenty minutes, I started to feel the effects of the liquor and felt nice and buzzed. I pulled my cell from my clutch and went to our text thread.

Me:

We’re headed out now. Are you on the way?

My Forever:

Almost there. Can’t wait to see my bad-ass Betty wifey.

I giggled.

Me:

Can’t wait to see my sexy ass Barney Boo!

“Alright, ladies! Let’s roll!” Gennel yelled. I slipped my phone back in my clutch, then followed the ladies out of the house. Since the frat house was only three blocks down, we decided to walk. The whole way, we laughed, and some of the ladies flirted with the men on the block who were either passing out candy or heading to the party as well.

When we finally made it to the block, it was packed with students from TSU. Since I took those shots, my anxiety had been almost nonexistent. I was still skeptical about being at this party, but Braelyn, Gennel, Robyn, and Jessica made it more tolerable.

“Damn, I hope they don’t call the cops. There are way too many people up in here,” Sasha said once we made it through the front gate.

“Girl, the cops would be in here partying with us. This is Coby Jacob’s house. You know his uncle got them on the payroll,” Anna, another sorority sister of Jessica’s, said.

“You know what? You’re right,” Gennel said, then they all laughed. I looked around for Khalil’s truck but didn’t see it. I pulled out my cell to call him, but his phone went to voicemail. I followed the ladies inside and was impressed with the decorations around the huge home. Spider webs, smoke machines, creepy statues, and Halloween decor lined the walls of the mini mansion-type home. Red lights glowed, and the music blasted through the deejay’s speakers.

It was kind of difficult to see until the lights switched from red to normal. People danced in the center of the living room with red cups in their hands and blunts between their fingers.

The ladies and I formed a train, heading toward the open kitchen, where there was food, drinks, and brighter lighting. Inside the kitchen, my arch-nemesis and her friends were there, along with Jalen, Lamar, and the rest of their basketball crew. Jalen stood, leaning against the wall, while Davina leaned into him, smiling and running her finger down the length of his jawline while smiling flirtatiously.

I looked over at Jess, and her eyes were already locked in on them. I could see the hurt in her eyes and shook my head. I hated that she allowed him to play her out like that. Jalen was a ho, and he did nothing to hide that fact either.

“Hey. You okay?” I asked her, placing my hand on her shoulder. She blinked a few times before she gave me a fake smile and waved it off.

“Of course, girl. It’s too many fish in the sea to be worried about one funky one.”

“I know that’s right, pooh. You’re too pretty to be played like you ain’t that bitch,” Robyn countered a little too loud, which prompted the goon squad and Davina to look over at us.

“Let’s get some spooky punch and go shake our asses!” Gennel exclaimed. I could see Jalen looking guilty and shook my head at him.

Niggas ain’t shit.

We got us a drink then headed back into the living room area. I checked my phone to see if Khalil called or texted me, but there was nothing. My eyes scanned the area until I saw Keith standing by the deejay booth, and I decided to ask him if he’d seen Khalil since they were together earlier.

“I’ll be right back,” I told the ladies, then made my way through the crowd, stopping where Keith stood.

“Hey, Keith. Have you seen Khalil?” I asked.

“Nah, not since earlier. He said he was headed to the crib to get changed.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks.”

“No problem.”