Page 20 of Nothing Like Your Ex

She didn’t know what bothered her more; the fact that she’d forgotten or how easy it had been to do so. Either way, she felt a twinge of guilt but no regret. She was going to sleep with a smile on her face, something her man hadn’t provided in months.

CHAPTER 5

Of all the days Jabari decided to take Kwinn to lunch, it had to be the day he got the news that he was being traded. She should’ve known something was brewing when he picked her up. From the moment she’d climbed into the passenger seat, something about him felt off. He didn’t have the same irritated energy he’d had for the last few weeks, but he wasn’t exactly relaxed either. His hands stayed tight around the steering wheel as he drove, and his jaw flexed every few seconds as he was deep in thought.

Kwinn noticed it but didn’t ask. Lately, she’d learned that asking Jabari what was wrong usually ended with him either giving her half an answer or acting like she was bothering him by wanting to know. The phone conversation they had, seemingly making amends, clearly was just to get back in her good graces. Jabari still wasn’t making enough effort for Kwinn to care anymore. She’d grown tired of trying to pull information out of a man who had no desire to share.

They were halfway down the highway when his phone rang through the car speakers. Jabari glanced at the screen before answering using the steering wheel controls. The familiar voice of his agent, Marcus, filled the car, and Kwinn felt as if she knew exactly what he was calling about.

“What’s up, Marcus?” Jabari greeted.

“What’s going on, man? You busy?”

“Headed to get some food with Kwinn. Just gon’ head and say it.”

Marcus paused before speaking again. “A’ight. I just got off the phone with the front office.”

Jabari’s eyebrows pulled together. “And?”

Kwinn glanced over at him. The uncertainty in his voice made her chest ache.

“They made the decision to trade you.”

Jabari’s grip tightened around the steering wheel, and the car seemed to grow quieter even though the call was still coming through the speakers.

“Where to?” Jabari struggled to finally ask.

“New York.”

He blinked. “The Knights?”

“Yeah.”

Jabari scoffed, shaking his head. “Man, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“I wish I was.”

“So that’s the best they could do?”

“Yeah. I’ve been trying to get confirmation for the last couple of hours before I called you.”

Rubbing his palm across his mouth, Jabari’s nostrils flared. “When?”

“Your physical is being scheduled. They’re trying to get everything done within the next few days.”

“A few days?”

“That’s what I'm being told,” Marcus said.

Jabari let out a humorless laugh. “Man, that’s some bullshit.”

“Yeah, I know, but that’s where we’re at. I know it’s frustrating.”

“Frustrating?” Jabari questioned incredulously, his voice rising. “I’ve been sitting around for weeks wondering what the hell these people were gonna do with me, and now you’re telling me I got a few days to pack my shit and move across the damn country?”

“Jabari, listen to me. I know this isn’t how you wanted it to happen, but we need to focus on what’s next.”

“What’s next?” He shook his head. “Nigga, I’m still trying to process what’s happening right now.”