That's South Side

Chapter 18

"So you not gonna tell me what happened?" Wade asked as he walked into practice the next day with Jimmy next to him.

"Nothing happened." Jimmy cleared his throat, looking at his friend to his left. Walking through the doors and turning the corner he immediately made contact with something, "Oh shit, sorry." He immediately said, looking to see Alinea, "Alinea..."

"Oh, uh," She said a little surprise taking over her, "Sorry."

"No, uh..." Jimmy trailed off.

"Wow." Dwyane blurted, trying hide the smirk that was creeping onto his face.

"It's fine, I...gotta go see you...both later." She nodded, speeding off towards her office.

"That was awkward as hell, now you can't tell me 'nothin'." He laughed at Jimmy.

Jimmy just sighed as the two began walking to the locker room together. 

"Fine," Jimmy sighed, "She came into the locker room, after I got ejected for getting into it with Damian, or whatever," He began, "I was gonn tell her...you know how I been feelin...but I didn't get the chance." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Dwyane asked, with a slight snicker. 

"I got out the, 'I think I love-' part out, but someone walked in." He swallowed, suddenly feeling shy. 

"Wait," Dwyane stopped him, "You love her?" He questioned, seriousness now in his tone. 

"I don't know." Jimmy shrugged. 

"I didn't know." He smiled, "I thought you just had a thing for her or something I didn't know it was that...serious." 

"It's not that serious." Jimmy shrugged it off. 

"So why can't you just tell her now?" He pestered. 

"Man," Jimmy shook his head, "I don't know, it's just awkward now. I don't know if she knew what I was gonna say but...I don't know what to do now."

"Go tell her!" Wade said obviously. 

"Nah," Jimmy shook his head, "I think I blew it." 

"You know, you make a lot of excuses for yourself." He shrugged, "If you don't do somethin, someone else will, get your shit together." 

--------- 

"Hey, Alinea." Dwyane greeted, quietly knocking on her office door. 

"Oh, hey." Alinea replied, a little surprised to see him. 

"Can I talk to you?" He shrugged, standing in the doorway waiting for her response. 

"Yeah sure," She breathed, "Come sit, man." She nodded, moving some work out of her way as Dwyane came to sit across from her, "What's up?" She asked. 

"I'm...can we move past all this?" He asked bluntly, "I like you as a person, I think you're good for this organization, no bullshit. You shouldn't have had to deal with all the shit that's been thrown at you this year, so - I'm sorry." 

Alinea was a little taken a back, she wasn't expecting an apology - she was expecting the usual throw it under the carpet strategy. 

"Are we good?" He added, waiting for an answer. 

"Yeah," She sighed, her face softening, "I'm sorry too." She shrugged, "Maybe I was too harsh, we're good." She half-smiled. 

"Good." Dwyane grinned, "Now for the other reason I'm here..." 

"Uh oh," Alinea laughed, "What do you want?" 

"It's about Jimmy?" 

"About Jimmy?" Alinea repeated, with confusion, "What to you mean?" She questioned, as a little heat rose to her cheeks.

"I heard y'all got interrupted the other night."

"Interrupted...?" She trailed off. 

"Don't play dumb with me," Dwyane laughed, "I heard y'all was talking and got interrupted." 

"Oh," Alinea breathed, "I mean it's no big deal...we were just talking." She shrugged. 

"Bout what?" He smirked. 

"What did you need to ask me?" She questioned, trying to change the subject. 

"Look," He began, "This isn't my place, and I realize that but, I gotta do something." He continued, "Jimmy, he has a thing for you." He blurted. 

"What?" Alinea whispered, her eyebrows raising as she felt her cheeks getting hot. 

"He thinks he keeps blowin it or whatever, but, I think he's just scared." Dwyane explained, "Do you feel the same?" He asked, getting straight to the point. 

"I...um," Alinea swallowed, "I think you might be reading into it a little bit," She tried to force a smile, "I'm sure he...doesn't." 

"Alinea," Dwyane said, giving her a serious look, "Trust me, I know." 

"I don't know what to say." She shrugged. 

"Fine," He shook his head, "Then imma just say this," He said, leaning a little closer to her, "You should tell him, if you do. I'm just saying, I think y'all make a good match. He really is a good guy ya know." 

"I know." Alinea nodded, trying to take in all this information. 

"You could try tonight," Dwyane smirked, getting up, "At Lopez's party." 

"Yeah," She sighed, "Maybe I will."