Attractions: Book 2

19

As calm as Ja tried to stay, it did not end up happening that way.

Ja kept it G for 5 seconds and before he knew it, glimpses of Tyus shot through his brain. Jaren looked like Tyus when Ja's fist connected to his jaw. Jaren looked like Tyus for a fleeting 5 seconds and that's all it took for Ja to impulsively punch his most loyal friend right on the jaw.

"Shit." Jaren cursed, blood dripping from his lips. "Alright. Alright. I don't got a problem with that."

Ja sighed as their Uber driver pulled over. "My fault, Trip. Shit."

The two men climbed from the car, lucky that there wasn't much traffic on this specific street. Ja apologized profusely as he handed Jaren paper towels that he'd found in the back of the Uber.

As history would tell, Malia had a positive effect on both men because Ja was in shambles with guilt after punching his friend and Jaren was extremely understanding and forgiving.

"My fault, JJ." Ja sat on the curb next to Jaren. "I'on know why I just did that shit. Shit was fucked up."

Jaren spit blood off to the side. "You're good. I get why you did."

"Nah, 'cause I know you my guy and you would never act on that shit." The point guard stressed, running his fingers through his locs. "I just kept thinking about that nigga Tyus."

"You good, 12." Jaren said. "I should've caught what was happening and corrected it."

Ja sighed. "I hate ta' be selfish wit' her but... I just got Malia back and we good. I gotta keep her at all costs. She mean the fuckin' world ta' me and that don't change-"

"I know." Jaren said. "Trust me, I've seen the two of you for 3 years almost. I know what it's gonna be. Your friendship and hers mean more to me than anything else."

The point guard licked his lips, squinting because of the hot air around him. "I wanted ta' think that shit wasn't true but I been thinkin' it... fa' a cool minute now."

"I know. I'm sorry to put y'all in this situation."

"It wun' even that." Ja shook his head, resting his forearms across his knees. "The most beautiful thing in the world ta' Malia is somebody wit' heart and soul. She luh' that. And you, my boy, got more of that than anyone I know."

Jaren glanced at Ja. "Don't tell me you feelin' threatened."

"I did... I do." Ja corrected. "It was different wit' Tyus cause at that point, she ain't know Tyus that well. But you... Malia gon' step for JJ. She luh' you ta' death."

"Malia loves you."

The guard nodded. "I know but she kinda... Softer on you than any of the rest of us. I know she love me differently. I ca' also say that she love you different than her other friends."

Jaren and Malia would never know this but Ja would always think about how the two of them happened to be alike.

He thought about how they both held water bottles at a table full of alcohol. He thought about how they were both gentle always. He thought about how Malia always cooked and Jaren hosted every party at his house.

It didn't matter because Malia was in love with Ja and always would be but it definitely posed a concern for Ja, who knew both of them individually.

"I would never step to Malia like that." Jaren said, truthfully. "I need you to believe that."

"I do." Ja admitted. "Lemme just ask you somethin'."

Jaren bit down on his lip, the taste of blood still prominent in his mouth. "Alright."