Page 55 of Intentional Foul
Maybe I’m overthinking it, but he was hovering as if he was your man.
My eyes darted up to Malcolm as he continued to stare at the sports news. This could be my opportunity to get the upper hand, and I was taking it. As I strolled back through my conversations with Anissa, it made me wonder. She’s always temperature checking me when it comes to Malcolm.
Me
Anissa, stop it. But can you hook me up with a ride to Kansas City tomorrow?
Bestie
Sure.
Me
Please keep it between us. Marquise wants to be on the album.
Bestie
To do what? He can’t sing or rap.
Me
For the women.
If Marquise knew how much his sexual appetite bothered his mother, he would slow down. She told me about the ransom demand she received for sex tapes and pregnancy claims. A few of them, she had to alert the FBI because those emails were scary.
“Why yo momma ain’t answering the phone?” Marquise asked Malcolm.
Bestie
Figures.
Me
They are upset about the cup and championship after the season.
“Mom.”
“Yes, Marquise,” Anissa said through the speaker.
“Did you know about this mid-season championship?” Malcolm asked next.
As they continued to talk to Anissa, I put my plan together. After I touch down in Kansas City, I’m ghosting to my favorite city, Chicago. I booked a shipping company to pack up my condo until I can find a new home base. I needed to stay low until the beginning of the season and focus on securing this divorce.
“Mom, you could have given me the heads-up,” Malcolm said.
“First, I’m not your agent. Shouldn’t you be calling your dad? Relax, it’s a tournament within your regular season games,” Anissa said.
The more I listened to them talk as a family, I knew I was making the right decision. I might break his heart, but in time, he would get over it. No one was immune to getting their heart broken and I’m okay being that person. I hope one day he understands I did this for the good of us both.
This morning, Malcolm pulled me into his body, aligning my face with kisses. Last night, I didn’t fight him on being held. Shit, I wanted it more than I let on. Considering the next time we meet will be a courtroom, I figured, what the hell?
“I have to go,” he said. “Your bacon, egg and cheese toast sandwich is in the microwave.”
“Yea,” I said and snuggled more in the bed to sell my sleep routine.
I waited twenty minutes before I hopped out of the bed, brushed my teeth, and slipped on leggings. My timing had to be spot on. The moving company is coming at 10:00 to miss Malcolm. The car service will be here in twenty minutes. I rushed to pack my items. Sadness pulled at my heart as I passedthe unused studio. I touched the door because the gesture alone touched me, but Anissa wouldn’t understand.
My phone vibrated, alerting me to the moving company and the proximity of the driver. I grabbed my sandwich before I left the apartment. The moving guys assured me they would have my condo packed in a shipping container in two hours. I changed my clothes and booked it to the airport, turning off my phone. Jhae was on ice but Estelle Grimes had awakened.
