Page 44 of Full Court Press

“What’s wrong, Pipe?”

“Nothing, Khalil. Why do you keep asking me that?” I could hear the slight attitude in her voice.

“Because, again, you’re acting funny. What the fuck happened today?”

“Nothing. Just leave it alone.”

“Nah, fuck that.” I snatched the remote from the table and turned the TV off. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Start talking, shorty.”

She sighed as her head fell back against the couch. “I’m not telling you this for you to go defending my honor. I honestly shouldn’t have come here tonight with this heavy on my mind, but I knew you would question me anyway if I didn’t. I was prepared to lie, though. Apparently, I’m not too good at doing that or hiding my emotions.”

“Talk to me, baby.”

“Lamar said some stupid shit to me that made me question our relationship⁠—”

“What the fuck did he say?” I asked, cutting her off. I already had plans to rock his shit because I just knew he said some bullshit. The nigga had been acting funny since I checked his ass, along with the crew, about coming at Piper. That bullying shit was wack, and I made sure I expressed that when I addressed them the first time. Whatever he said to her had her questioning us, and I didn’t like that shit.

“See. You’re already getting upset. It’s okay, Khalil. I know my insecurities and trust issues are something I have to deal with, but I’m trying for you. It’s why I still came over and didn’t run.”

“What. Did. He say?” I asked slowly. I didn’t give a damn about anything else she was talking about. Wherever she thought she was going to run to, she had to know I was going to follow.

I could feel myself about to pull up on Lamar’s bitch ass tonight.

Piper looked over at me and sighed again. “He was just upset because I told him not to speak to me. So, when I went to walk away, he grabbed my arm and told me you’d never take me seriously. That once you graduate and go to the league, you and Nia are going to be together, and I’ll just be a memory.”

Wow.

Fucking wow.

I sat back, flabbergasted. Lamar and I had been best friends since we were knee-high. We’d never gotten into fights and had only been in one argument in the thirteen years we’d been friends. Aside from me telling him to chill on Piper, we had been cool. But for the past two weeks, he had been distant, and now I was seeing the picture for what it was.

He had to be jealous.

Was it because he felt Piper was replacing him, or because he wanted her? Whatever it was, we were adults, and shit could have been talked out like men. Whatever the issue was, it didn’t warrant saying that shit to her when I was just getting her to trust and open up to me.

Piper climbed into my lap and placed her palms on my cheeks. “I know you’re upset, but please don’t say anything to him. I don’t want you two fighting. It’s not necessary.”

“I’m not going to put my hands on him, but I’m definitely checking that nigga.” I took her hands while looking into her eyes. “Pipe, I need you to trust that I would never hurt you. I don’t know where these sudden feelings came from, but I just know I love everything about you. Your smile, your eyes, your lips, your sass, this soft, round ass, and your intelligence. You make me feel shit I never felt with anyone else. I’m asking you to trust me with you. I promise I’m all in. Even when I go to the league.”

She smiled at me and kissed my lips. I gripped her ass and squeezed. “Okay.”

“You’re saying okay, but I need you to really mean it, baby.”

“I do mean it. I promise to trust you.”

I gave her a soft smile and rubbed her cheek with my thumb. “I love you, and you ain’t gotta say it back until you’re ready. Just know you got me wrapped around your finger.”

She blushed. “Yeah?”

“Most definitely. Let’s get some rest. We gotta get up early tomorrow to work out.”

She frowned. “Who?”

“Us.”

“Nah, buddy. You’re on your own with that one.”

I laughed. “You not gon’ work out wit’ ya mans?”