Page 61 of Off the Rim
"Good. I don't want to come back here tomorrow and see you moping and blaming yourself for them losing another game without you."
"We would have beat Tennessee if I'd been there."
"A team isn't all that great if they have to rely on one player."
"Yeah, yeah." I don't have it in me to explain that itisactuallymy fault that the team played like shit. Because not only did Marcusnot have me there to support an integral part of our team's strategy, but the rest of the team, specifically Anderson Hearst and Preston Biltman, decided to revert to their old selves and not be team players just because they didn't like getting called on their bullshit. Coach had to pull Marcus, who is easily the best player on our team, off the court because those two decided to use a major game to showcase their selfish pride. It made the entire team look bad, and it was all anyone talked about during highlights.
"Alright, you take it easy. Have a nice holiday. I'm hoping Ms. James is going to wake up soon so you can get out of here and quit moping around my unit."
"Yes ma'am. Enjoy your holiday."
The nurse leaves, and I lounge back to watch the game. Not that I really give a fuck about it, considering Marcus hasn't touched the court even once. I'm livid that Coach is letting the team get away with this shit, and I'm raring to get back to campus so I can put those assholes in their places again.
It's not that I think Marcus needs me to defend him. He doesn't. But he's too strong for his own good, too stoic, not to let it all roll off his shoulders. What I'd really like to see is Marcus come out swinging.
"Junior."
My grandmother's thick southern drawl sounds as refined as ever, even in her groggy state.
"Get your mother a fresh-up, will you sweetie?" Mimi holds her hand up like she's holding something, giving it a little shake. A drink, maybe?
I stand to push the nurse call button to let them know she's awake, but she puts her hand on my arm and squeezes with impressive strength.
"I know you're angry with me, baby. But it's just how things are." She loosens her vice-grip and pats my arm placatingly. "Trust your mama knows best. That boy will only bring you down. I don't want him leaching off you like that woman is your father."
She thinks I'm Dad. But what boy could she be referring to? Does she mean Roman, his stepbrother?
"What do you mean?" Maybe if I can keep her talking, she'll give me something I can use.
She purses her lips. "You can't hide anything from me, Junior. I'm your mother." She waves her hand dismissively, eyes only half open, like she's not quite all here. "Don't bother denying it, honey. I saw you. You'd think you'd know better than to be so… indiscreet. What would your father say?"
Despite knowing logically that she’s not actually talking to me, I cross my arms over my chest and scowl.
"Why should I care what he has to say?"
"You're the heir to the kingdom, baby. There are expectations."
"What if I don't want it?"
"Nonsense. But don't you worry, I'm going to fix everything."
CHAPTER 29
MARCUS
Princess D-Bag: I need to talk to you
Princess D-Bag: I'm kind of freaking out a little
Princess D-Bag: Are you still planning to come to town?
Me: I'm here, at my old house, checking up on some things for mom. Want to meet somewhere?
Princess D-Bag: Where are you?
Me: 827 Wildwood Court
The three little dots that indicate Ashton is responding pop up, then disappear three times before the screen goes blank. Does that mean he's coming here? I'm not sure how I feel about Ashton James coming to my childhood home. It feels almost disrespectful of my father's memory when he tried so hard to warn me about the James family. And now that I know what I know, his warning feels even more foreboding. Ashton's father held enough of a grudge against my father to not only cut himout of any kind of inheritance, but to make sure he never got ahead.
