{Not Edited}

My Monday was going by so smooth without a hitch. I've been in a good mood all day. I decided against calling Adrian, even though it's killing me. I have to stay focused, I didn't want to feel like I had that conversation with my brother for nothing about lying to him.

I stayed up all night thinking about that small business card. I started to imagine us trying to somehow make it work. That maybe my dream of us being together could become my reality. I then thought about how maybe just one phone call wouldn't hurt. That way he would know I didn't blow him off.

Then in came insecurities wheeling its way in. I started thinking of my age, and how clueless I was to all of these emotions and feelings towards him. —Then there's my past. The fact that I know he could get any girl he wanted, why would he want me? I thought maybe I was delusional. He was probably just looking out for Mikes little sister nothing more nothing less. So to save myself any embarrassment or rejection. I decided to just forget the whole thing. Thats anxiety for you.

I'm sitting outside of school waiting on Mikey to pick me up, we agreed that our Mondays would stay the same. After school I'd go with him to his shoot around... Oh shoot I didn't even think about that. Adrian will be there, I'm freaking out now! What the hell am I going to do? How did I not think about this? I was so focused on that hug and this card he gave me. —Maybe I should try to get out of it. —Nah Mikey wouldn't go for that. This was our agreement, he might change his mind about the car all together. I have to suck it up, and go. This is not good. Why me?

****

Walking into the gym my heart was beating so fast, I thought it would stop. My palms were so sweaty. My brother was talking to me but I didn't hear a word. I am just going to head over to the bleachers. Put my head phones on then bury my face into my purple notebook.

"Rai, did you hear me?"

"No Mikey. You were mumbling, I didn't hear you." I said while walking further in the gym, noticing Adrians not here yet. I exhaled.

"I said the guys are probably coming to the house later, tonight. Hang out by the pool, I'm inviting a few people over."

"Oh ok." I paused, a small smile appeared on my face. "You're just trying to give Leah a reason to come over."

He replied tilting his head side to side. "You got me, I miss her and little man."

"Me too, you want me to call her or you?"

"Nah I got it, and if you want to hang out with us that's cool. If you want to invite Sienna over that's fine." Mikey said as he walked with me to the bleacher.

"I'll call her and see if she wants to, if not I'll just hang back in my room. While y'all do your thing."

"Nah, none of that. We're doing things differently this time. I'm trying to show you my growth, now you show me yours." He smirked and I furrowed my brows.

"Where is all this coming from?" I held up my hand stopping him from answering. "—But wait, I'm not complaining just so you know."

"I don't want you to ever feel like you can't come to me about something.— Maybe I thought about some of the conversations I had with Leah. Which is basically the same thing you and mama Laurie have been saying for years. Well even A3 said it so here I am trying to show you, that I trust you and I understand you're growing up."

See this is another reason why I shouldn't call Adrian behind Mikey's back. He trust me.

"Soooo, does that mean I can date now?" I glanced at him with a smirk.

"Sure, tell him to come by the house and pick you up around six, so I can meet him." He retorted with an evil smirk of his own.

"Ha ha, not funny. That was not cool what you did. I'm serious, what if I have someone I'm really interested in?"

"Who?" He asked rather quickly.

All of a sudden the hair on the back of my neck raised and butterflies were in my stomach. I heard laughter, it was Adrian and Troy coming in. I made sure to put my head down and focus on my conversation with Mikey.

"I'm not going to say, because I know you and this new found leaf you've turned over doesn't extend that far." I laughed nervously.

"I'll figure it out sooner or later." He replied while making a silly face with his tongue out walking off to join the crew.

I can feel Adrian staring at me. I can't even focus on anything else. Why don't I have any homework, ugh. My project is at home, already partially complete. I just have some community service work to do and revise my paper. It's not due for another three weeks though. I'll try writing in my purple notebook.

Ok maybe just a little peek over in Adrian's direction won't hurt anything. Yeah just a small glance in his direction. I'll be quick.

****

I debated on rather I should even come here today or not. I figured I'd just go anyway. I don't know what made me give her my card. She must think I'm some kind of pervert. I hope I didn't disrespect her by doing that. I screwed this up, now shit is weird. If it was anybody else I wouldn't give a damn.

We all hung out for a little while longer just having small talk. We had a half court challenge. Chance beat me by one shot, show off. Troy coincidentally got a knee injury. Oddly enough by the end of the game he was good. I was ready to go, I'm not a fan of losing.

"I'll catch y'all later, I need to make a call to my assistant." I said noticing Raina glance at me a little.

"Oooooh, you're talking about that new fine ass assistant." Troy said kind of louder than I wanted him to.

"Man gone somewhere with all that." I waved him off.

"I mean what's good?" He asked with this big ass grin on his face.

"It's not even like that, I'm not interested." I made it clear, sensing Raina peeping over again.

"Dumb-ass I wasn't talking about for you, —so what's goody?"

"Then this conversation doesn't have anything to do with me, that's all you. Do what you do on your own." I said walking away throwing up my dueces.

"Aye don't forget to swing by the house later, you can bring someone if you want." Mike yelled out and I nodded heading out the door on my way home.

Got home, called my assistant. I told her about an email I needed. I showered, staying in there longer than I should have. Eventually I got myself ready to head over to Mikes. Probably will pack an extra set of clothes just in case. Sometimes when we have these little get togethers we end up crashing at each others house. We haven't really had anything like this since before Mama Laurie passed. So this should be good, to get back to just hanging out. She would want us to.

After getting situated I looked at my phone and noticed I had a text message, from a number I didn't recognize.

7:35pm

555-555-6788: Hey.

7:46pm

Me: Name?

7:48pm

555-555-6788: It's Raina, do I have the right number?

7:48pm

Me: Yes, it's me Adrian.

I waited a few minutes for her to text back but she didn't so I sent her one.

7:55pm

Me: You want me to call you, or—can I call you?

While I waited for her to respond I saved her number in my phone.

8:00pm

Beautiful One: Sure.

I called and it rang twice, I was thinking about hanging up. I didn't want to get her into no shit. So I waited until she spoke into the phone before I responded.

"Hello."

"Hey, it's me." I sort of whispered.

"Oh,—ok."

"How are you?" I asked breaking the ice.

"I'm ok actually, you?" She responded nervously.

"I'm cool."

Why am I acting like this, I'm a grown ass man.

"You ready for the pool party?" I added trying to make conversation.

"Well not really, it's Mikeys idea for me to join. He wants me to, but I was thinking about just hanging back in my room."

"You definitely should listen to your brother. It could be good to hang out and chill."

"Sooo, are you ready for it?" She asked slowly, I could barely hear her.

"Yeah I'm about to head your way in a few minutes to help Mike get everything together."

"Oh.. ok, just you?" She mumbled.

I laughed a little. "Yeah it's just me. Why?"

"Oh. I'm sorry, nothing. No reason you didn't have to answer that— honestly you don't." She rambled.

"Hmm, so is that why you decided to use my number?" I smiled.

"No, —no it's not." She replied, unconvincingly.

"Then what made you call me?"

"Uh, um I just wanted to thank you for being there for me yesterday. So thank you."

"You're welcome. It was no problem."

The line was now silent.

"Well I guess I'll see you there, and you don't have to try to avoid me. I'm a nice guy, you know me Raina it doesn't hurt to speak."

She was quiet again before she said, "Ok, bye."

"Bye Raina." I chuckled at how shy she was. She ended the call.

****

Hanging out with the squad always makes for a good time, We've been laughing and talking shit the whole time. Even Raina and Sienna decided to come out. Raina didn't get in the pool though, her friend did. She tried to convince her but Raina said something about not wanting to put on a swimsuit. Come to think of it I've never seen her really get in the pool.

I was scrolling through my phone while listening to them. I just wanted to know if she was feeling me or not. If she is then I can just talk to Mike man to man. I wouldn't want to disrespect him in anyway. Not saying he would be open to me pursuing his little sister but I won't take it any further behind his back. He's confided in me and he trust me. I don't take that shit for granted.

I'm just not ready for him to put a stop to us just yet. Besides I only had one phone conversation with her.

I'll talk to her tonight. Set the record straight. Let her know how I feel and just take it from there. I stop listening to their conversation. I shouldn't have been listening anyway. If she's feeling me, I'll tell her my plan to talk to Mike.

I focused my attention back at the table where we were all seated. Troy came walking out struttin' in his new swim attire. Everybody busted out laughing at the same time.

"Troy, what are you wearing?"Amina asked.

"My swimwear. What's wrong with this?"

"Really T? A Speedo?" I asked.

"Oh so if Phelps wear it y'all ain't got shit to say." He argued looking down at himself.

"Not even I would go this far Troy, looks too small." Chance added and Rita laughed.

"I'm just ahead of my time. Y'all need to catch up, besides this is the biggest size they had. I'm just blessed." He shrugged.

"If you don't shut yo' hairy ass up. There is no way that's comfortable." I chimed in.

"Must be the first time ever in life you ever had yo skinny ass legs out." Amina roasted him leaning back laughing.

"You ain't lying, damn Troy what happened? You never heard of leg day, next time you go to the gym don't focus on anything else fam." Mike looked at Troys legs dying laughing and Leah hollered joining him.

He looked down at his legs, and twisted his lips up. "Y'all a bunch of assholes."

"Mike I don't know why you over there keke-ing, where the ones you bought at?" Troy added exposing Mike.

"Doesn't matter where, the point is I'm not the one wearing it now. Besides I look good in anything." He shrugged smoothing down that long ass beard on his face, Leah smiled rolling her eyes a little.

"The hell, ol' ugly- ass." Troy replied walking off to hop in the pool. Mike and Leah went to grab the drinks and condiments from the house. I got up to keep an eye on the grill. Chance and Rita was laying together on the lounge sofa. Amina lit up a blunt and made a phone call.

****

I was so nervous when I decided to text Adrian, I was just too curious I couldn't help myself. I wanted to know if he was just looking out for me or if he actually liked me. —Oh and I low key wanted to know if he was bringing someone or not.

I felt like I was convulsing when he responded. Sitting outback poolside talking to Sienna, she said she was secretly rooting for us. I hate to say it but the idea of us sounds very pleasant.

"I still don't understand why you're not getting in the pool, during a pool party. Mr. A3 got you acting all shy." She asked even though she know I don't ever get in.

"Not at all. Are you staying over or you going home?" I asked changing the conversation.

"I think I might go home,— no actually I am going home. My parents told me I can't stay, of course. Since mama Laurie passed, they don't really know your brother like that for adult supervising. You know how they can be." She sighed.

"I get it. I'm surprised they even let you hangout with Trey."

"You know that's only because our dads are on the board. They golf almost every Saturday. I think that's the only reason, so it works out." I nodded

"Ugh I need to get a pedicure. Did you schedule our wax?" I asked.

"Yeah and Beth said she's getting an assistant this time with you." She snickered.

"I don't care how many times I get a wax, I can't get used to it. I don't understand how people can say after the first time it gets better."

"Girl I don't even want to get in to talking about your first wax, I was so embarrassed. I remember mama Laura was like we might have to hold you down. You tried to hop off that table so fast. Beth said next time just come three hours early to prepare."

"Ooooo the shade, but the point is I stayed and finished. Y'all was gassing it. I wasn't even that bad."

"Girl stop, she even used the numbing spray." She snorted.

"I'm for real I'm a G." I pouted, we had a bit of a comfortable silence. Just enjoying being outdoors. It's a warm and humid night. This full moon is lighting up the sky. I guess it's time to go in soon, my clothes are starting to stick to me. I don't even want to know what my hair was doing right now.

"So, Trey and I kind of sort of took it a step further." Sienna spoke out of the blue.

"A step?" I questioned looking at her with wide eyes.

"Yeah the big step." She said nonchalantly.

I screamed whispered holding my mouth. She started laughing.

"Um, ok when was this and you're talking about sex right?" I said louder than I should have.

"Yes I'm talking about sex, keep your voice down and it was on Saturday, when I told you I was hanging with Trey."

"Oh my gosh, wait why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm telling you now, I had planned to tell you yesterday after dinner. Lets just say you were a little occupied." She said looking in Adrians direction.

I couldn't fight my smile.

"No wonder y'all were extra handsy at dinner yesterday. I should've known, the signs were there. —You were feeding him his oxtails. " We laughed.

"Yep we did it." She smiled extra hard, I went in for a hug. We shook each other for a second squealing.

"Well details please, was it everything you imagined it to be? I want to know everything? Don't leave anything out."

"Girl it was so awkward and painful. I think we were both just way too hyped. He was amazing though, he was gentle."

I just stared at her eager to hear more.

"He tried to be all romantic, with candles and flowers everywhere. First we went to dinner, well an early dinner. He knew I had to be back home and I couldn't stay over." I listened as my friend spoke more of the event.

"It was so amazing Rai, he was kissing all over me. Gave me a massage, whispering his love for me in my ear. He took his time with me." She spoke in a soultry tone reminiscing with her eyes shut holding on to her charm necklace.