Page 15 of Hood Legacy

“Don’t,” Aceyn said, shaking his head. I felt him stiffen and wondered what the back story was with him and her. Did they have a horrible relationship like me and mine did? “Just hook us up.”

“Hood,” she sighed, and he shook his head again.

“Leave it, Bright,” he said. “Hook us up so we can get out of here. She’s been in the gym all day and needs to get home and rest. But, I said I would feed her first, and when she suggested seafood, I knew exactly where to come.”

“You’re the team doctor, not the drill sergeant,” Bright replied, and Aceyn shrugged. “I guarantee that Legacy Glover puts in the needed work.” She cut her eyes at me and smiled. “If she didn’t, I doubt Pyrite would’ve gone through all that work to recruit her.”

“You know who I am?” I asked, surprised. I was popular but not as big of a name as other players.

Bright waved me off, then started putting together a boil. “Girl, check the wall; we always display the Kings and Queens’ info. Mercy was here a few weeks ago, and Givens is a regular.”

“Well, I’m honored,” I replied, and she nodded. “You mind if I shout you out on social media?” I took my phone from my pocket and started recording. I wanted to show the entire process of her making my food so my followers would know what to expect when I posted it later.

“After you taste the food,” Bright answered. “That way, if you don’t like it, you aren’t lying to your followers.”

“You might as well be prepared to post it,” Aceyn laughed. He moved his arm from my shoulder, and instantly, I missed the heat from his body. “Get some good angles; I’m going to the bathroom.”

I watched him disappear around a wall, then saw Bright watching me.

“He looks happy with you,” she said softly. Her eyes were filled with concern. “He’s going to need you for support soon.”

“Aceyn and I are just friends,” I said, shaking my head. She didn’t have to say it, but I knew she was implying that we were more than that.

“You think so?” she asked, and I nodded. “That’s cute.” She shook her head and returned to packing a clear strainer with food. “You want it spicy?”

“Yes.” I looked around, partially wondering where Aceyn was and for the women's restroom so I could wash my hands.

“The bathroom is that way,” Bright nodded toward the way Aceyn went. “By the time you come back, the food will be done, and y’all can eat.”

“Thanks,” I said, then walked away. I went to the bathroom, handled my hygiene, and came to find Aceyn sitting at a table with food in front of him, talking to Bright.

“We will talk about it later,” Aceyn said to Bright when I approached.

“Okay,” she sighed and walked away.

“I could’ve sat over there and waited,” I said, and he grunted in disappointment. “It just looked like y'all were talking about something serious.”

“Sit down, Point guard,” he said, pointing to the empty chair and shaking his head. I sat, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and looking me directly in my eye. “Bright is a natural worrier. She has been that way her entire life. You would think she’s years older than me, but she’s not.”’

“No?”

“Nah,” he laughed lowly. “She’s like six months younger. She is naturally bossy, too, so when I step in here, I know she will fuss about something. I’m used to it, so I’m not trippin’ off it.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding. “I didn’t grow up with cousins or anything, so seeing other people work their family dynamic always has me stepping back.”

“Oh yeah?” he pushed a bag in front of me, then grabbed his own. Our food looked good as hell in the clear plastic bags. I saw crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, mussels, eggs, potatoes, and corn soaking up the seasoned butter. We bowed our heads and said a quick prayer before tearing into our bags. “You’re an only child, right?”

“Yeah,” I answered. “So are my parents.”

“Damn,” he sighed as he started breaking down his crab. “It was just me and Bright, but I can honestly say, I don’t know what I would’ve done if it was just me.” He laughed and shook his head. “Shit, I’d probably be worse than I am now and still in the streets.”

“Probably,” I agreed in between bites of our food. “But, you are lucky you will never have to know.” Aceyn nodded in agreement. “So, how did you meet Pyrite?” I knew bits and pieces of their friendship, but it was mainly locker-room talk. Most of the players and a few cheerleaders constantly talked about how attractive they were, and while I didn’t disagree, I never gave my opinion.

“What do you think you know?” he questioned.

I picked up my napkin and wiped my mouth before twisting my lips to the side and pretending to think. “Well, at one point, you were the head of a drug empire and got shot, died, and was revived,” I answered, and he laughed loudly. “Last week, I heard you were a runaway who stripped his way through college and med school.”

“Get the fuck outta here, Point Guard,” he laughed harder and waved me off. “Ain’t no way nobody saying that shit.”

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