The Homeboy and The Virgin

11-Junior

Chapter 11—Junior

 

I went up to Laila, fists clenched. “I will burn down everything you stand for,” I growled, getting into her face, which was hard, saying as how she was six inches taller than me. But I made do, giving her the darkest look I could manage. And it was pretty dang dark because I was pretty dang pissed. “You… you… bitch.” The word felt funny coming out of my mouth. I didn’t curse often, and when I did, it sounded off. Except now. No other world could possess the hatred and anger I felt for her at the moment. And I hated very few people.

    Laila smiled. “A bitch that has your man and your brother. You should work to get on my level, Junior.”

    Her level? “I wouldn’t stoop that low for all the riches in the world.” My voice was dark, and I wanted to hit her. The only thing stopping me was the knowledge that my niece/nephew was currently in there. Oh, she was lucky she was pregnant.

    “Not riches. But you’d stoop that low for Duke.”

     I scoffed. “Duke? Please, take him. I could give a care less what he does. There’s another million boys just like him that are much, much more fun.” Out the corner of my eye, I could see Duke glance at me, a bit of hurt in his face. Good. At least he knew how I felt when I caught him lip-locking with another girl after flirting with me. But that was what happened when you played with players. You ended up played. But not today. I would burn him before he had the chance to get close to me. “I’m upset you’re messin’ with my brother.”

   At the mention of Crank, her eyes widened. She turned around to search for him, but he had Duke pushed up against the wall. “I told you not to fuckin’ mess with my sister, or my girlfriend. And here I see your punk ass with both of’em,” he growled, his elbow at Duke’s throat.

   I really wanted to see this play out, so I turned around to watch. Duke needed his butt kicked, mostly because I wanted him to receive some form of punishment for even thinking he could take my virginity and leave me. That, and maybe if Duke and Crank hashed it out, they would realize Laila wasn’t worth their time.

   Duke chuckled, but his eyes were hard and dark. “Your sister invited me to the mall. Your girlfriend invited me to her bed. I’m just following orders.”

   I took a step back unconsciously. Duke must’ve had a death wish. My brother was the center on his basketball team, tall and muscled. Think Shaq, except not as tall. Duke was a skinny wide receiver, and while he had muscles, they were nothing compared to Crank’s.

    Laila chewed on her lip, looking extremely uncomfortable. Served her slutty self right.

   Crank growled something I didn’t even want to hear, much less repeat.

   Duke laughed. “Watch out, there are ladies present.” His mocking tone made me want to punch him. Actually, I wanted to punch him anyway, but that was beside the point.

   “You really wanna get your ass kicked right here?” Crank asked, his voice threatening and low.

    I saw the security guard head our way. I needed to intervene. Crank didn’t need to get suspended from his team because of some stupid slut like Laila. I wedged myself between them, aware of the tension. “Crank, chill out,” I said, pushing him back slightly. “Don’t hit him.”

    He looked at me incredulously. “Don’t hit him? You’re defendin’ him? You’re really gonna choose him over me?”

   No, my idea was to keep him out of trouble, but his offended tone made me irritated. “You chose Laila over me. What’s the difference?”