Unwilling to CrossPaths

Friction and Plotting

Keith

I was laying in the bed sleep when my phone got the buzzing on the stand next to me. I rolled over not even bothering to look at I knew it was Stefanie. She calls every morning after her workout session. "Morning, sexy." she said through the phone making me smile in my sleep. "Morning, baby." "You supposed to be up." "Says who?" "Says your baby." She said as she moved around. I laid on my back, "I had a long night. How was your workout this morning?" "It's was intense but cool. What was you doing last night?" "Why so intense? I told you about over doing it. I had work to do plus I worked last night." "I know but I can't help it. You told me you wasn't going in." "I wasn't then they came calling." She laughed, "You know you worse than that sister of yours." "She rubbing off on me." "I hope not too much." "Nah, I will never be scared to express how I feel about you." She laughed. Stefanie and I have been getting serious as the time pass. When I went to Atlanta, we did alot of talking and figuring out. I left knowing that this relationship will be lasting for a long time. We was sticking to this and loving each level of growth we experienced with each other. I already set up my next visit down there to see her again. Stefanie was a girl that had her career already off the ground and was making moves to get to where she wanted to be. I respected that about her and she never tripped about what others where doing. I seewhy her and Em connected. I just glad Stefanie is a female that's not too messed up like Emerald. As Stef and I continued to talk on the phone, I decided to get up and get my day started. "Oyeah baby, I got some good news. I'm coming to New York next week. So, I was thinking we could do lunch or something." "You know I'm down with seeing my baby. I just need to make sure I don't have to work." "Yay, okay but I just got home so I'm going talk to you later." "Alright." "Bye, love." "Bye, love." I hung up and started to finish up some work I needed to get done.

I still needed to talk to Emerald about her and Max sharing a room. I got a text from August basically asking if I could talk her about Max. When I asked him why, he told me about the recent mess and said that he understood but it still had him feeling some type of way. As a dude in a relationship, I understood completely where he was coming from. Now, I needed to tell Emerald about herself. She just needed to understand that all dudes are not innocent creatures without hiding motives and that's the way relationships end. I knew she was happy with August and would do nothing to jeopardize their relationship but her actions didn't really say that.
I text her after my classes for the day were over and told her to meet me at the blacktop behind the gym. She agreed with no questions. I'm sure she figured out what it was about. Shawn was with me shooting around balls, he was unaware of the situation so this would be interesting. He showed no interest in Em no more and moved onto Shannon. I was surprised at first but now I'm just questioning that situation because Shannon is a little like Emerald in some aspects. Shawn was still protective over her so we were on the same page about this Max dude. He was cool people but cool away from Emerald. Emerald came around the corner supporting a pair of basketball shorts and muscle shirt. Shawn frown once she saw her, "So, you dressing like a boy now?" he asked as she got closer. "Shut your ass up. I wanted to be comfortable." She gave me a hug taking the ball out my hands. "What's up?" "Nothing. Just wanted to talk to you. See where your head been at?" She looked at me sighing trying to shoot the ball. It went through causing her to smile. "My head been on my shoulders, so if you looking for something. I need you to be more specific."

I took the ball. "Check me." "Keith." "Check me," I said passing her the ball. She passed the ball back. Shawn stood to the side to watch the show unravel. "So, what happened after the baseball game?" I asked dribbling the ball. "Nothing, the bus broke down and we ended up staying in an hotel." She said trying to guard me. "So, you stayed in a room by yourself." I said going out shooting the ball as she failed to hit it out. "No," she said getting to rebound. We switched places it was now her turn. "Who you say with?" We checked each other while I waited for a response. She started to go in to get a lay up but I stayed on her, "Who, Em?" I asked. Still nothing as she concentrated on the game at hand. She quickly stepped out to cross me over finally making her lay up. "Max, Keith damn." She said breathing hard. "The fuck you mean Max," Shawn said walking over to Em. I let him, "Shawn, calm all that down. It wasn't even like that." "It was still like that for your boyfriend to text me." "Aug told you." "Yeah, wanted me to talk to you about Max. It seems as though he's been expressing his dislike towards him and you ignores it." She sucked her teeth picking the ball up. "I told him he has nothing to worry about I ain't checking for him." "Emerald, you really think by saying that you make it better."