Trouble in Paradise

Chapter 7 - Blast From the Past

Mya, Cassie, and Veronica went out for drinks, celebrating Mya's new job as head dance coach at Cabrini high school. The three ladies had food and drinks. Mya went to the ladies room and on her back to her table, she felt someone tug on her arm.

Her eyebrow raised as she faced the mysterious man who's holding her arm. "Um." She frowned at the large hand on her arm. Her eyes trailed the man's arm and made their way to his face. There she found a grin that she could never forget. "Jackson?" Her eyes grew wide.

"Mya, I knew that was you, girl!" His voice was deeper than she remembered. His dreads hung low down his back, and smile still lit up the room.

She gave him a hug that was long enough to make up for lost time. "How have you been?" She pulled back from the hug.

"I've been good."

"I know you have. I've been seeing you at the games and stuff. How's football?" She asked.

"I can't think of anything else that I'd rather do. Persuing my dreams." He flashed his charming smile. "I see you're still gorgeous as ever." He complimented her.

She blushed a little. "Thank you." She glance back at the table where her friends were sitting. "Well, I really should get going. My girls are at the table."

"How about I join you guys?" He suggested.

"Um," She hesitated to respond for a moment, but she finall agreed. "That's fine. Come on." She motioned for him to follow her.

As she sat at the table, Cassie and Veronica, both froze with a confused expression, staring at Jackson.

Mya gestured for Jackson to sit down next to her. "Ladies, this is my friend Jackson." She said, hoping they's stop staring at him. "Jackson, these are my friends, Cassandra and Veronica."

Both women gazed at the six feet five inches, athletic-built, smooth dark skin, male, who stood before them.

"You can call me Cassie." Cassie stretched her arm out to shake his hand.

Veronica just stared at him.

"Veronica?" Mya tried to snap her out of her though.

"Jackson "Speedy" Reed?" 

He chuckled at the name Veroica just called him.

"New Orleans Saints, wide reciever." She spoke. "Oh my god, I love you!"

Mya and Cassie burst into laughter.

"Stop being a groupie." Mya said, still laughing.

"Don't call her a groupie. I have a lot of fans." Jackson defended Veronica, chuckling at Mya and Cassie.

 "'I'm sorry." Veronica was a little embarrassed with Mya and Cassie laughing at her.

"It's alright." Jackson reassured. "How about I buy you ladies some drinks?" He suggested.

Mya laughed sarcastically. "The last time you bought me a drink, you got me wasted, so I may have to pass."

He laughed. "Awe, Mya. Don't be a party pooper. That was back in college anyway."

"Yeah, you were a dumb jock at the time. I'm not sure how much has changed." She eyed him with a smirk.

"You can pay for your own drink." He laughed.

"Wait, you went to LSU too?" Cassie asked.

"Yeah. I played football there." He answered.

"When was this?" Cassie asked. "I don't remember seeing you around with Mya."