Samara wished she knew why breakups were so hard and why anyone would still want their ex back after they've decided that they no longer wanted them. What kind of torture was this, to sit another night in her apartment thinking about Rico and the downfall of their relationship? To get her mind off of things she decided that she would get out for a few hours. She got up, quickly threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and left out to see what Zay was up to.
At his apartment door, she quickly knocked and let herself in. Standing on the other side of it, she now regretted coming as she was bombarded with the sound of loud cheering and an unsettling amount of testosterone. "Shit," she mumbled to herself. She had forgotten that on Wednesday nights Zay hosted a game night with his teammates. The get together consisted of card games, video games, drinking games, and food—lots of it. She never went, because it was mainly for the guys and she wanted to respect Zay's space. With that said, she felt weird about being there now. She made a quick decision to try to sneak back out without being seen, but before she had the chance she was spotted by one of the players.
"Samara whatchu doing here? Zay ain't tell us his cock-blocking bestie was coming over," Diamanté teased. Samara shut the door behind her and walked fully into the living room.
"Manté," she said giving him a fake smile. "Hm," she scoffed. "Always a pleasure." Her attitude was snarky towards him.
"Aye Sam! Your boy is out back," Shi said nodding towards the fire escape.
She smiled over at him. "Thanks Shi."
"No problem lil sis. There's food in the kitchen if you ain't eat yet."
"Thank you. I appreciate the offer. It seems a few guys around here can stand to learn a thing or two from you, like Manté's punk ass," she said loudly in Diamanté's direction.
"Y'all hear something," Diamanté asked looking around the room. The guys just shook their head in disapproval. "Why you gotta be like that," one of his teammates asked beside him. "She don't be botherin' nobody." Samara rolled her eyes and headed over to where Zay was.
"Fuck you," she said to Manté, just as she was about to step through the window to get to the fire escape.
Upon hearing the soft rustle of feet behind him, Zay turned around. "Mar?" he questioned as he watched her climb out. "I'm surprised you're not with Jules. What are you doing here?"
"I came here to hang with you, but I forgot that tonight is guys night. Sorry."
Zay smiled at her. "Don't worry about it. You're welcome here any time."
"Thanks," she said smiling up at him. "So, what's going on?" she said switching the subject. "I thought you quit." Samara pointed at the blunt in Zay's hand.
He held it up. "I did, but I've been stressed out lately. Felt like I could use it." Samara sat down on the steps.
"Stressed? What's going on?"
Zay joined her and passed her the blunt. She took it from him and waited for his response. "It's almost time for basketball season and I got some decisions to make."
"About what?" she asked, putting the blunt in between her lips and inhaling it.
"If I should play pro-basketball or work a nine to five after I graduate."
"Where is this coming from?" she asked passing the blunt back to him. "I thought you and your dad talked about this. You were settled on going to the NBA."
"Was," Zay reiterated." He inhaled. "But I don't know if I have what it takes anymore. It's weird. I've had so much success these past three years on the court, but lately I've been feeling like what if I blow it and the truth comes out that I'm...really just a fraud." He sighed. "I know this is gonna sound bad, but...I've been starting to question why my dad pushed me as hard as he did. Was it so that I could fill his shoes, become his greatest legacy, make him feel better about what happened to his own basketball career? I mean, I love the game Mar, but the truth is I only started playing because of him and I feel like I only got this far trying to make him proud, not because I'm actually any good. And with this upcoming season I'm afraid that I'll no longer measure up to all of my previous successes." Samara looked over at him in disbelief.
"Okay. First of all," she started, "You are made for far more than just working a regular nine to five," she smiled. "I've watched you play every game and what you have is not rooted in your dad's success on the court or your desire to make him proud like you think it is. You have a genuine passion and love for the game. That's what keeps you motivated and getting up at five a.m. every morning to practice when most of your teammates are still asleep. You are not a fraud. You are the real deal and you work hard for your spot on the team. Getting scouted by the best NBA teams is merely proof that you are great at what you do. Get out of your head superstar," she smiled. "You were meant to play and your dad knows it too. That's why he pushed you so hard. He saw that you had a natural talent for basketball and saw it as his responsibility to nourish that gift. And no matter what you decide to do with your life don't ever feel like you didn't make your dad proud. Your existence alone is major bragging rights for him. Have you seen his Instagram?" Samara laughed. Zay shook his head and smiled. "You measure up to your dad in every way, on and off the court...and then some," she winked. "But don't let that get to your head though," she laughed. "I don't want you getting cocky. Somebody gotta keep you humble down here."
"You mad irky yo," he laughed, "but thank you. I needed that. That was a real confidence booster." He chuckled to himself and looked over at Samara. "I love you Mar."
"I love you too Zaytavious," she smiled. Zay shook his head and offered her the blunt again. Samara held up her hand and shook her head no. "I'm good," she said as she stood from the stairs. "I should be getting ready to leave. I don't wanna overstay my welcome," she smiled. Zay stood up too.
"What are you talking about?" he grinned as he moved closer to her. "I want you here. The guys won't mind."
"Manté would," she said rolling her eyes.
"That nigga is an ass. Don't nobody care about what he want. Me and Shi pay the bills up in here."
"See this is why I've always liked you," Samara said smiling up at him. Zay smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "You're one in a million. You know that?"
"I do now," she said smiling into his shoulder. "Thanks superstar."
"Aye," somebody yelled as they tapped on the window. Samara and Zay let each other go and looked over in the direction the sound was coming from. It was Diamanté. "Zay, I know you all hugged up with your girlfriend and everything, but you got next on the game."
"We'll be in there in a sec Manté," he said before returning his attention back to Samara.
"So, you staying," Zay asked. "There's plenty of food," he smiled, trying to lure her in. "You did say you came to hang with me."
"Uh, Zay. I don't kn—"
"Fuck that. You're staying," Zay said making the decision for her. "Come on. I'll make you a plate." Before she could protest Zay pulled her towards the window.
"Zaaay," she laughed behind him.
"Mar, what part of this game night don't you like? The food, the games, or me?" he smiled.
"I like all of it."
"Well then it's settled," he winked. "Let's go!"
