Love, Loyalty, & Murder

Chapters 3 & 4

Chapter 3

Early Saturday morning, basketball games were being played at the recreational courts a few blocks from DeSean's neighborhood. Tasha watched in awe as her man dribbled up and down the basketball court, leaving his opponents shook and out of breath in his wake. Enamored by his physicality and grace on the court, butterflies tickled her stomach as his presence alone still captivated her after the many years they'd been together. Despite the other nine players and the growing crowd along the sidelines, DeSean was the only person on the court in Tasha's eyes. With his confident swagger on the court, Tasha lustfully marveled at the sight of sweat dripping down DeSean's bare, toned chest and abs, causing his golden-brown skin to glisten in the sunlight.

"Whooooaaa!!!" the crowd roared, snapping Tasha out of her reverie. In true DeSean Kayden James fashion, he ended the game with an amazing show-stopping, one handed dunk. On the court, DeSean had been playing amid older and more experienced men, as well as younger players with tremendous talent, but he held his own and for that, he received much respect. As DeSean basked in all the adoration, Tasha stood up and smoothed out her white maxi dress. Bending over to pick up the Powerade she bought for DeSean, a vehicle that was stopped at a red light at a nearby intersection laid on the horn.

"I see you forgot about me," the passenger of the black Escalade said.

Tasha instantly rolled her eyes at the sight of Dallas. His dark-skinned self was fine, but his arrogance was sickening.

"Get out of here," Tasha demanded, dismissing his presence with a flick of her wrist.

Unfortunately for her, Dallas got out of the SUV while it remained idle in the middle of the intersection. The twenty-four-year-old man approached Tasha, momentarily causing her heart to race. He was laced, head to toe, in expensive labels and dipped in gold jewelry. His fresh fade was done with precision, and the masculine scent he wore made Tasha lustfully clench her thighs tightly together. She cursed herself out in her head, mad that he still had that effect on her.

"Why you do me like that?" Dallas asked with a slick grin, invading Tasha's personal space.

Tasha stepped back as she nervously looked around. "Dallas, I told you, you shouldn't come around here."

"Do I look like the type to follow rules?"

Tasha sighed. She looked around to make sure DeSean wasn't watching.

"Look Tasha, when you gon' stop fucking around? You walking around here, wearing shit from Citi Trends when I can easily keep you in expensive shit." Dallas pulled out a huge knot of cash and flashed his gold grill. "Money ain't never been a problem," he boasted as cars began honking at the SUV held up at the light.

"Just get outta here," Tasha pleaded.

Dallas slowly backpedaled. "I'm just trying to make you my lady and take care of you. I got plenty bitches waiting in line. Your time is running out. But I'ma let you think on it. I know where to find you."

Dallas turned and hopped back in the Escalade, peeling off as he left Tasha perplexed. In comparison to DeSean, he was, without a doubt, more financially stable, but Tasha tirelessly prayed and held out hope that DeSean would soon be NBA bound. Dallas' little dope boy money would become chump change compared to the endorsements that DeSean would be sure to receive. Taking a deep breath and shaking Dallas' arrogance off, Tasha headed in DeSean's direction.

As another pick-up game commenced and half the crowd dispersed, DeSean smiled as he saw Tasha walk toward him as he stood off to the side of the court. A tingling sensation pulsed through his manhood as he admired how the dress she wore wrapped around her curves.