Lifestyle

[18] "I see big things ahead for you son."

15 more seconds.
Darnell's heart was racing. He was sizing up the guard in front of him.
Sweat streamed down his face. He faked with a left, but went around the guard on the right. He saw Jamal had an opening and passed the ball his way. Jamal took a chance and made the shot.
Everybody watches the ball go up in the air. The buzzard sounds and the ball goes in the hoop!
All of Miles High supporters poured onto the court. They had won the championship game. Jamal dapped up Darnell before they were both rushed by colleges, reporters, and groupie hoes.
"Darnell, how does it feel to win the game?" A fox 10 news reporter asked.
"It feels good. I'm just glad to be bringing home a win."
"What about college? Do you plan to go pro?"
"We'll see what the future beholds." He smirked.
Darnell was tired and more than ready to go home. It was a five hour drive back to Georgia from Birmingham, Alabama and he didn't wanna remember any of the ride back. He wanted pure sleep.
***
After putting back on their jumpsuits and loading everything on to the bus, the basketball team was on the road, heading home. Darnell got to his phone and saw he had a few txt messages.
Moma Nicole: I'm so proud of you baby boy! The whole family watched the game together on tv. Sorry we couldn't be there, but when yal get back there is sure to be a celebration! Cookout tomorrow at the house! At 3!
Darnell chuckled. Ever since him and Jamal became seniors, Nicole has a celebration for everything they accomplish. He figured she wanted to spend as much time as possible with them before they go off to college.
Darnell: Thanks ma and I'll make sure to be there.
He then went to a message he had from Jamal.
Now why this nigga texting me, while we together? He thought.
Darnell looked to his right and saw Jamal with his red studio beats by Dre on his head and his eyes closed, sleeping.
He must have sent it before he K.O.
Bruh: Bein faithful is a mutha fucka. This girl tried to give me head bruh! Ooo Ebony better be glad I love ha.
Love. That was a pretty strong word. Especially for Jamal when him and Ebony weren't even official. Darnell shook his head.
Darnell: We'll talk later.
Then he went to read his baby message.
Princess: Wassup superstar! I can't wait til you get back. Love you babe!
He don't know how but Essence was always able to put a smile on his face and make butterflies flutter in his stomach. Yea that was some gay shit, but that's how she made him feel.
Darnell: I'll see you soon. Love you too.
Darnell put his phone on airplane mode and put his beats by Dre on his head and drifted to sleep.
:
3:00 pm Saturday
"This goes to my boys winning the championship game!" Nicole said leading everyone in a toast.
She had invited the whole basketball team. Along with the girls, coaches, cheerleaders, and their families.
"Yo, ya moms be doin it big!" Cam said dapping up Jamal.
"You already know it."
She had baked beans, potato salad, chicken, ribs, devil eggs, hot dogs, pound cake, mac n cheese, collard greens, stream beans, corn, and sweet potato pie.
Jamal, Darnell, and Rodney fixed their plates and went to sit under the gazebo. Nicole come over to them and gave them all lemonade.
"Where the girls at?" She asked.
"Akia on the way."
"Ebony had to take senior potraits."
"Essence had to work."
"Awe. I really wanted em to come." She pouted. "So they can at least eat this time."
They all shared a laugh. "It'll be alright auntie." Rod said. "We still got prom and graduation."
She put her hand up. "Do not talk to me about graduation." She said gettin teary eyed. "I don't want my babies to leave."
She went around the table and gave each of the boys a hug and kiss.
Naomi walked over and saw Nicole near tears.
"What you cryin for?"
"Ain't nobody cryin."
"So water ain't building up in yo eyes."
"Yea they building! Ain't nothing fell."
"How are yal friends?!" Darnell had to ask.
"Ion fuckin know." Nicole said. "But she get on my fuckin nerves. Ain't gon never be shit."
"Bitch you suck dick!"
"Bitch you eat booty."
"Hey!" Camay said coming over. "What the hell wrong with yal?! We got company over and shit."
"Fuck them!" Naomi and Nicole said in unison.
Camay drug her hand down her face. "You know what, fuck it."
The three women mugged each other and walked back over to entertain the guest, leaving the boys there shaking their head.
"Our momas fuckin stupid." Jamal said.
"Im glad you said it." Darnell laughed.
"So what's up with prom?" Rod asked.
"Ion even wanna go for real, but I know Ebony ass do and I'll be damned if I let another nigga take ha."
"Speaking of Ebony, what were you talkin but last night when you txt me?"
"Oh yea." Jamal cleaned his hands and sat up. "When I was comin out the gym, shorty was waiting for me! She stopped me and was like
'Hey.'
So I gave ha a head nod and tried to keep walking but she spoke again.
'That was a good game you played.'
So I was like Thanks. So once again I try to get around this chick and she grabbed my dick. I was so shocked I had to zone in on her hand that gripping lil man down there. So I looked up at her and said
'Aye, what the fuck you doing?'
She said, 'Look, I just wanna suck it. You just so fine, I bet it taste heavenly.'
Now yal know my extra horny ass was close to giving this bitch the business."
He was while slapping his hand on his thighs. "But got damn Ebony popped in my head. So I took a deep breath and moved shorty hand and politely told her, 'I have a girlfriend.'"
"Oh my gosh! Yal are official?!" She boys head shot towards the direction of that noise and saw Akia standing there.
"You so got damn nosey!" Jamal exclaimed.
"Boy hush! I've heard worse!"
"I bet you have."
She thumped his ear and gave Rodney a kiss.
"Well excuse us, we were just having a fuckin conversation."
"Jamal, calm down." Darnell said patting his shoulder.
Jamal mugged all of them. This the shit he was talking bout. Can't never have guy time.
"Anyway," Akia began, "So when did yal make it official?!"
"We haven't."
"Well what are you waiting on?!"
"You know what," Jamal said getting up. "This is a conversation I really don't care to have." He grabbed his plate and walked to the other teammates.
"What crawled up his butt?" Akia asked.
"Babe, you did just kinda come over here while we were talkin."
"I'm not allowed over while yal talk?"
"Akia ain't nobody say nothing like that." Rodney defended.
The two of them started arguing and it was ruining Darnell's appetite. Darnell shook his head and got up and walked away from the couple.
He went over where the rest of the guys were to enjoy the rest of the day.
Coach came and patted him on the shoulder. "I see big things ahead for you son."
"Thanks Coach."