Page 81 of Love's Free Will

After the game, I sent a text to Andy letting him know we were making our way to the pickup spot under the tunnel where most high priority people exited the game. Zay and I had barely made it to the Escalade before he was already talkin’ shit.

“Bro…really?” he asked as we walked through the exit tunnel. “You sent that girl home mid-game?”

“Yup,” I said, deadpan.

“She looked mad as hell.”

“Not my problem.”

He side-eyed me. “You invited her, Royal.”

“And I uninvited her,” I replied as camera flashed in our direction. Zay and I hustled to the car where Andy had the door open, waiting for us.

“You ever gon’ stop bein’ chaotic?” Zay asked as we hopped into the car and then Andy shut the door behind us.

I let my head fall back against the headrest, eyes closed, sighing long and deep as Andy got in and pulled off. “She wasn’t it.”

“That ain’t what you said when you invited her,” he said, shaking his head. “You know that was a bad move, bringing her to this game.”

“I know,” I muttered.

He glanced over at me, giving me that older brother look even though he was a few months younger. “You know how wild you look, right? First you confessin’ your love for Averi in the backyard like it’s aBoyz II Menvideo, now you poppin’ out with some IG model like you tryna audition for Love & Hip Hop.”

I cut him a look but didn’t say shit. He wasn’t wrong. I hated that he wasn’t wrong. The second I saw Averi’s face in that suite, tight with confusion and lowkey disgust, I knew I fucked up. Again. But hell, what else was I supposed to do?

She shut me down. Told me she needed peace and I ain’t fit the mold. Told me she ain’t ready. Told me to get gone. So, I did. I just hated how bad it felt.

Zay shook his head, chuckling under his breath. “This gotta be some type of toxic world record.”

I didn’t say nothin’. Mostly because he was right. But also, because I was too busy replaying the wayAverilooked when I sat next to her. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink. Just hit me with a,“You lost?”Like I was the delivery man or some shit. She was pissed. But not the kind of pissed that meant she ain’t care. Nah, she was the kind of pissed that came from still caringtoo much. And for some reason, that gave me a little hope. Even if it made me an asshole.

“Anyway,” I said, pushing all that shit aside, “Imma have a little kickback at the spot. Egypt and Nas said they comin’. And Ave too.”

“Ave say that out loud?”

“Nah.”

“Then she ain’t comin’ goofy ass nigga.”

I smirked. “She comin’. Trust me.”

Zay muttered something under his breath about me being a delusional lover boy and started scrolling on his phone.

Seconds later, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw I had a new text.

Cory: Everything’s set at the house. Food came, bar’s stocked, weed’s here. Let me know if y’all need anything else before I head out.

Me: On the way now. Appreciate you.

By the time we pulled up to the house, the sky had darkened just enough to make the string lights in the backyard glow like stars. Cory had everything laid out—flats and drums from Wing Stop, Cajun fries, ranch, a big-ass snack tray with chips, cookies, candy… plus the bar was stocked with Henny and Casamigos. On the kitchen island were three stuffed glass containers with neon green labels on each container: Gushers (Indica), Lemon Haze (Sativa), and Runtz (Hybrid). He really did his big one.

I told Zay to hook his phone up to the Bluetooth and went to my room to freshen up. I lost the jeans and tee for some black sweats, a clean white t-shirt, tall white socks, and Adidas slides. Topped it off by throwing on a chain and washing my face. I looked like a chill ass rapper again instead of a heartbroken one.

Back in the kitchen, I started pre-rolling a few cones. Three in, I heard the door buzz. I peeked at the screen by the door—Nas. “Come on in, bro!” I called as I unlocked it from the panel.

He walked in, hoodie on, gold grill flashing as he dapped me up. “This shit nice, fam. I see the album promo got you in your luxury bag.”

“Somethin’ like that,” I smirked.

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