Page 47 of Full Court Press

“I figured. Your game was off.”

“You noticed that?”

I nodded. “Is it because of what I told you the other night?”

“Partially. I know I shouldn’t let shit like that get to me, but ’Mar has been my best friend since third grade. His moms is like my moms and shit, so for him to disrespect you is like disrespecting me. On top of that, for the past two days, Niana’s been begging to have Kiy, and I’m not sure if I want her to stay overnight with her yet. I’ve just been having weird feelings about everything, but I just need to relax.”

We were quiet for a moment before I swallowed and looked at him. “Even about us?”

I watched those thick eyebrows descend as he looked at me in confusion. “Why would you ask me that?”

I shrugged lightly. “I don’t know. You said everything. What am I supposed to think when you say things like that?”

“Never anything negative about us. You’re not the cause of me feeling the way I do. I need you to take yourself out of the equation. If I ever felt differently about you, you’d be the first to know.”

“Noted,” I said, barely above a whisper. He reached inside his gym bag, handing me his car keys.

“Wait for me in the car. I’ma hit the showers, then we can head to the party.”

I nodded as he stood and walked off. I let out a breath, stood, then headed out of the gym.

Piper, get out of your head before you mess up a good thing. I scolded myself as I made my way across the parking lot. When I got to Khalil’s truck, I saw Sabrina and two of her friends standing in front of it. I paused mid-step, thinking of a strategic way to bring these hoes to their knees if they decided to jump me.

Damn. Why didn’t I tell the girls to wait for me?

I secretly slid each one of Khalil’s keys between my fingers and my other hand inside my bag, feeling for my mace. I knew how to fight, but I didn’t think I could take all three of them by myself.

“Relax, girl. Ain’t nobody gon’ do shit to you,” one of the girls said.

“And I’m supposed to trust that?” I asked.

Sabrina scoffed. “You don’t have to. I just want to tell you that I’m over the beef⁠—”

“There was never any beef on my end,” I cut her off. “You’ve just been acting like a bitch since I got here. Don’t forget, I knew you when.”

I could see her shift uncomfortably, eyes going wild at the thought of me spreading her family’s business. As bad as I wanted to chop her down from this pedestal she’d placed herself on, I wouldn’t. Not today, anyway.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Look. I only came to tell you that you probably need to stay away from Khalil. Niana isn’t wrapped too tight, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Why do you care so suddenly?”

“Because obviously, you’re blind and don’t see the signs. The man is out of your league. He’s only using you to make Nia jealous. They were just together last week.”

I laughed. “Yeah, okay, Sabrina. Just stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours. And most importantly, mind your business. What Khalil and I have going on isn’t any of y’all’s concern. I’m not worried about Nia at all.”

“Yeah, okay, Piper. Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you. Let’s go, y’all.” She and her friends turned and walked away. I walked over to Khalil’s truck, unlocked the door, and climbed into the passenger seat. I made sure I locked the doors as I sighed and waited for Khalil.

It was one thing for me to feel out of his league, but for someone like sperm-gulping Sabrina to say it made me angry. I knew her trying to make peace with me wasn’t genuine. I didn’t trust her, her crew, or Nia. It was only a matter of time before I lost patience with them and knocked their heads off their shoulders one by one. I loved True for the education and academic aspects it provided, but I hated the people who attended.

It may have been unbelievable that Drew Stanford’s stepson was into me, but that was what it was.

Erasing the negative thoughts from my mind, I played Tetris on my phone until Khalil finally made it to the truck. I hit the locks, and he climbed inside, smelling of fresh Irish Spring soap and Creed cologne.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

I gave him a light smile. “Not at all. I was busy playing the game on my phone.”

“Cool. We’re only going to stay at the party for an hour. I got a surprise for you.”