Page 22 of Intentional Foul

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Malcolm

Jhae

Malcolm

Where are you?

Malcolm

Avoiding me isn’t going to stop me from loving you.

Starve him out, I thought to myself.

Marquise

Jhae. Malcolm is approaching a crash out.

I chuckled at the text, but I didn’t respond. I’ve seen them use each other’s phones, responding to text messages.

Marquise

What I do? I can’t get a response?

I covered my mouth, wondering if this was Marquise, he probably had his arms folded. A FaceTime call came through with Marquise’s name, but I silenced it. If I could trust it, I would’ve answered. Someone needed to get through to Malcolm, leaving me calling in the big gun.

Me

Are you awake?

It took five minutes, but the three bubbles appeared.

Bestie

I’m always awake. What’s going on?

Me

I think the boys are butt dialing me or something. Can you check on them?

Bestie

Okay.

I tossed the phone next to me and flipped through the channels. Once they heard Anissa’s voice, it should shut down activity for tonight. Not even five minutes later, my phone flashed.

Bestie

Everybody is okay, but Malcolm is upset about his Music Note.

My body tensed at the name. I tossed my head backward, allowing my eyes to focus on the inlay of the ceiling above. The vibration of my hand grabbed my attention.

Malcolm

I’m a grown man. Telling Mommy changes nothing. Jhae, stop playing with me.

Marquise

Damn, Jhae, you called Mrs. Shaw -Jefferies? I swear I love this shit.

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