Page 18 of Intentional Foul
“Maybe I could help you write a song,” Caleb offered Jhae, and she covered her mouth and laughed. “I’m serious,” he said and tapped her leg.
I pulled out my phone and texted her.
Me
Tell him you’re not interested so he can stop embarrassing himself.
“Marquise, did you get my message?” I said to throw everyone off of Jhae and I texting.
My brother lifted his phone, playing along with my game.
Jhae
Stop it Malcolm.
Me
If he touches you again, I’m going to turn the fuck up.
“Marquise, man, you need to chill,” I said, and my brother shrugged in response.
Jhae
Malcolm, why are you talking like this?
“Bro, did you get the pictures?” Marquise asked as I held the phone to my face.
Me
I’m not going to tolerate any more disrespect.
“Jhae, can I pick you up maybe tomorrow night? I would love to take you out before the double date,” Caleb asked with hope-filled eyes.
She scanned the space, pausing in my direction before returning her eyes to him.
“I can’t, in fact, I need to be going,” she voiced to the crowd and stood.
I mirrored her movement by standing. “Can I hitch a ride with you? Marquise has plans for tonight. I would’ve been gone if I had driven.”
Jhae smiled but changed her stance. “Sorry, I’m not going straight home. I have somewhere to be.”
My little liar, I thought to myself as she hugged my mom and kissed Khaira.
“Pops, I need your keys. I parked behind Jhae,” I lied to get alone with my woman.
He dug into his jeans, tossing me his keys as Jhae continued to put unwanted space between us. “You can take my truck home if you need to, Son,” he said.
I declined to answer, following behind Jhae as she tried to exit the side gate. Although she had a head start on me, I’m bigger so one step for me was two for her. I sprinted behind her, catching the side gate before it closed. Snagging her arm, I paused her steps, tugging her to the blind spot of the security cameras.
“Music Note.”
“Malcolm, was I not clear?” she whispered.
The sound of everyone laughing bounced around us.
“You were clear, but I was too,” I reminded.
“Goodbye, Malcolm,” she said and removed herself from my grasp.
