Capture The Moment

chapter 7

Laylah POV

Flashback to IHOP

"umm....Ceedee and I used to date when he was in Oklahoma with you. But the year you transferred everything started to fall apart, not that this has anything to do with you. But he started getting involved with other girls which I found out from Spencer Rattler. At first I didn't believe him because he always had an eye on the girlfriends of his teammates. Then he started getting distant and ignored me for days, sometimes even weeks. But when he would want anything from me he would show up with flowers and act like nothing ever happened. One time he wanted to "get to know" my cousin who was engaged but that didn't work out." I explained.

"So basically he used you and you let him," Jalen commented angrily.

"Basically but I swear I tried to end the relationship. But he would show up and act like we are still dating. He showed up at UPenn like 2 years ago and was all like 'what's good baby' and kissed my cheek. Why do you think he was calling me baby earlier?" I explained.

"I don't know man. But look I'm gonna handle this he can't just be coming out of nowhere and reclaiming you Lay. I might just need Paris to help." He stated.

"No." I replied.

"Yes," he responded.

"No."

"Yes."

"N-"

"You realize you're talking to me out of all the people. I might not be Paris or Tobias but I am definitely not taking a no for this. Bro you need help now and you know it. I don't know how long it's gonna take for you to -. Never mind, come on beautiful we gotta go." Jalen uttered.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I was just saying don't let him get in the way. Plenty of men like you." He complimented.

"And how would you know that Hurts?" I asked grinning. He just shrugged his shoulders as he paid for the food. "You still hungry?"

"Don't even remind me of food right now, I'm stuffed. Honestly though I just hope nothing goes wrong when we see Paris. I mean yeah Ceedee has a tendency of showing up out of nowhere but there's not much we can do besides a restraining order." Jalen suggested.

"I mean I'll think about it." I replied.

"But you can't come watch your second best friend and your best friend's brother when we play and destroy the cowboys." He laughed.

"I wouldn't be so worried about seeing him, as long as y'all win I don't care. But who tf told you you're my second best friend." I inquired.

"Aight I ain't no genius but you're a smart girl, you wouldn't go around telling people about your personal life. I mean you told me about your ex. But mind you we officially met last night and you went to dinner with basically a complete stranger. Then you invited yoself into my home, went to breakfast with me, and even trusted me as your personal chauffeur/bodyguard." He explained.

"So?" I questioned.

"So? What do you mean, so? You know exactly what I mean. You're comfortable around me, who was the last person you opened up to about the Ceedee situation?"

"Paris and Devonta ," I mumbled.

"EXACTLY, STUPID! Then you told me, a man you met last night. So that makes me your second best friend." He beamed.

"Okay damn I get it. You are my second best friend. But don't get in over your head. That still doesn't mean I like you... like that."

"Fine," he sighed, "but that don't mean we can't be best friends. So don't go hiding stuff from me now." Jalen basically commanded pulling up in the parking lot of his house. "Ay look, it's Paris," he grinned.