Page 70 of Intentional Foul
“You know, ‘Timeless Love’ is my jam. I listened to it so much my boyfriend knows the lyrics,” she said as she swayed her head, mumbling the words.
“Your album helped me get over my cheating ass boyfriend,” the young lady with the cropped hairstyle said from behind her.
“Pleasssse, take a picture with me. Pleassseee,” each of the four women pleaded.
One by one, they stepped to the side, angling their cameras. One girl shoved the phone in Malcolm’s hand for a group photo with girls she didn’t know.
“Thank you, Jhae. I see you with your twin boyfriends,” the lady with the cropped hair said.
I twisted to Malcolm and Marquise who appeared to be enjoying not being the center of attention. Malcolm pretended to be his brother most days because he hated the press. Marquise leaned into social media, posting thirst trap photos. Today, however, they were reduced to my boyfriends.
“And they’re fine,” she said.
Marquise slid his hand around my waist. “Baby, let’s get back to our shopping spree. We have a jet to catch.”
He kissed my temple, and I shifted my head upward with hiked nostrils. Squeals released from the girls as their eyes widened as if they discovered a secret.
“Y’all heard the man. Spend his money, Jhae,” another young lady said.
I elbowed Marquise in the side as the crowd dispersed. “Will you stop playing so much?” I said and he cackled, releasing me from his hold.
Malcolm covered his mouth as his chest vibrated with laughter.
“Jhae, I need to be on the album,” Marquise said yet again.
Throughout the entire flight to St. Thomas, he tried stringing together words for his new rap career. I thought the smell of the water and seeing the palm trees would stop him from rapping. Instead, he tried adding them to his failed lyrics. I protruded my bottom lip at Malcolm to make Marquise stop. He couldn’t stop laughing at his brother.
“Aye. Aye. Aye...” Marquise chimed up again.
“Please stop it. I’ll let you do the intro,” I belted, hoping this would get us some relief. Marquise wasn’t going to stop until I gave him something, no different from his twin.
“Awww, shit... Let me add a music career to my resume.”
I leaned into Malcolm’s chest more, hiding my face. He caressed my back, leaning down to kiss me but I shied away.
“We’re almost at the private resort. No pictures are allowed, and it’s strictly enforced. From what I researched, celebrities come to unwind here, and they have great hospitality. It’s owned by the Harrison Inc., and he doesn’t play that shit,” he said.
Being a celebrity grind my gears, but it also came with the territory. Living your dreams and a life of luxury wasn’t free, and no one escaped paying the tab. Privacy and the ability to make mistakes was the price tag that I paid every day. You can’t post this, can’t support that; I learned early to shut up, sing, and shield my personal life.
When my phone vibrated, I reached into my pocket to see “bestie.” I sent her to voicemail but quickly followed up with a text message.
Me
Helpppp me! Marquise is trying to rap.
Bestie
Why? He barely has rhythm.
Me
I caved, gave him an intro.
Bestie
Whyyyyyy. Hell no. I’m not living with his ego.
Me
