And I could never be a homewrecking whore like my mother.
“Wonder where they’re going for spring break. I think they went to Aspen last year.” Teefah’s nose wrinkled. “Nah. I think that was last winter break. For spring break, they were in Cabo San Lucas. Hmmmm…” Her gaze was to the ceiling.
“Macen Beach,” Samantha murmured, staring down at her plate.
“What?” Lyricah asked loudly.
Samantha shushed her. “Dre told me they’re going to Macen Beach this year.”
“Shit,” Lyricah sighed. “Macen Beach is that hot spot. What I would do to be there.” She looked my way. “You going, Tori?”
I wanted to roll my eyes. Lyricah didn’t know her truth was out, but I did. She wouldn’t use me to get to Ashton.
I stood from the table and grabbed my tray. “Why would I go? Like I told his girlfriend: I haven’t heard from him.”
Without waiting for a response, I left them and headed for the trash. On my way to the door, DJ Paulie was at my side, crooked smile and high ass fade, just as I recalled it last fall.
“I’ve got a question to ask and you can’t say no.”
Without looking at him, I pushed the door open. “Shoot.”
“You and me. A movie this Thursday night. I’ve got a gig all this weekend.”
I didn’t think when I replied, “Let’s do it.”
I didn’t stop either. DJ Paulie stayed in the doorway with his mouth hanging to the damn ground.
I watched Andrea count the cash. She stopped midway, eyes filled with confusion searing into me.
“This is more than what you owe.”
“I know.” I tossed my chin toward her hands. “It’s double. Tori gave me hers.”
The crew decided on Macen Beach for spring break. It would be my last one with them and luckily, there was time in my schedule to do it. By that time, I would have successfully completed the Combine—because that was non-negotiable—and would be waiting on the draft. It was going to be a fucking blast down on the South Carolina coast. Andrea was responsible for collecting the money for the big ass house we were renting there on the beach. Of course, Tori hadn’t known about it: we hadn’t seen much of each other since we got back on campus. She’d been distant. I didn’t have the time to feel her out. Even now, I was meeting Andrea at the entrance of the sports complex to give her the money. Training had been great, but busting my ass.
Her face dropped. “Tori? Who invited her?”
“I did.”
“But Karmen said she was with Aivery when she ran into Tori in the cafeteria last week. Tori said she hasn’t heard from you since the semester started.”
Damn…
I shrugged. “I’ve been training. I ‘on’t see nobody nowadays except trainers and my damn fish. I ran into her last week on the sports complex. How do you think I got her money?” It wasn’t the truth, but I made it sound convincing.
Andrea rolled her eyes and went to jot down something in her notebook. “You and ShawnNicole with that fucking Tori McNabb.”
“What do you mean?”
“ShawnNicole said she was thinking about inviting her to stay in her room.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
Andrea’s annoyed gape rose to my face. “Tori isn’t down with this crew. You know that. You only hung out with her last semester because A.D. Jones made you. You’re done with that charity.”
I scoffed, anger expanding my chest. “She’s cool. It’s sad how after a whole damn semester, you guys haven’t gotten to know her. You’d probably learn something from her.”
Her nose lifted. “Like what? How to fight?’
My phone chirped as I nodded. “Amongst other things, yeah. It may come in handy for when she finally snaps on y’all’s asses. Tell ShawnNicole Tori’s getting her own room. It’s cool for her to act like a damn adult when her friends are still childish as shit.”
Andrea rolled her eyes turning to leave. “Eat shit, Spence.”
Ignoring her, I took off in the opposite direction, toward the complex taking the call.
“Hello?” I didn’t think to look at the caller ID.
“Damn.” Her breathy tenor always struck. “Who pissed in your damn cornflakes?” NormaJean laughed.
Her silly ass had me fighting back a smile. “Good to hear beauty nowadays. How are you, gorgeous?”
“I’m good. Just wanted to return your call before hopping on this conference call. I got your message last night.”
I made it to the door, pulling it open with a sore arm from gruesome workouts. “I had some time on my hands for a change and wanted to check in.