Love, Loyalty, & Murder

Chapters 5 & 6

Chapter 5

"What's the problem, James, you have lead in your shoes? Come on. Hustle! Hustle!" Coach Callaghan yelled.

It was early Monday morning, and his basketball team was preparing for their upcoming game on Friday night. DeSean was running at half-speed. He was really just going through the motions. It was all he had in him. It had been over a week since he nearly beat Dallas to death. The whole ordeal was weighing heavily on his mind. Tasha blew up his phone with numerous text messages and voicemails the entire week. DeSean's bruised ego and wounded heart kept him from reading and replying to the numerous texts or listening to the voicemails. He was still so angry that if he spoke to her now, he was bound to say some hurtful shit that he may regret later.

"Come on, DeSean, we have our rivals this week. I need you at your best."

DeSean glared at his coach as he walked off the court in the middle of the team running an offensive play. He paced along the sidelines with his hands clasped above his head. He needed to catch his breath. Not only was DeSean unable to focus on the court and in the classroom, but sleep eluded him and his appetite diminished over the last week as well. The morning's practice seemed more grueling than normal. Usually, DeSean would have made it through the entire practice barely breaking a sweat.

"Coach, take over," Coach Callaghan addressed his assistant coach as he walked over to DeSean. Placing a comforting hand on his back, "Everything ok, son?"

DeSean discreetly scoffed. Many of his teammates were cool with Coach Callaghan and confided in him about problems on and off the court. DeSean just wasn't the type to mingle with his peers and discuss his personal issues. He knew his coach meant well, but unfortunately, he was nothing more than a means to an end. Coach Callaghan was a renowned coach who was known to mold mediocre players into top NBA prospects. DeSean needed his help to get him to the top of his game in order to help fulfill his dreams of going to the NBA.

"I'm good, coach."

"You sure, son?"

DeSean hated when he called him son. "Yeah."

Coach Callaghan glanced at his watch. "Well, there's only thirty minutes left in practice. Go shower and get ready for your classes. I'll see you tomorrow morning for practice."

"Alright, coach." DeSean began walking toward the locker room.

"And, James..."

DeSean turned to face his coach.

"Get some sleep," Coach Callaghan advised.

DeSean turned back around and continued to the locker room. He grabbed his athletic bag and went straight to his room. Walking down the hallway to his dorm room, he noticed a female leaning against his door. He sighed. It was barely nine in the morning. Why couldn't everyone just read his mind and understand that he didn't feel like being bothered?

Once at the door, he stood silent as he looked the girl up and down. She was cute. She wore a tight pair of denim skinny jeans and a simple tee shirt. Her smooth skin was the color of milk chocolate. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail. The stylish wire-framed glasses made her look studious.

"What's up?" DeSean asked in an uninterested tone.

"Hey, DeSean. My name is Danai." She smiled and giggled awkwardly.

DeSean remained silent, waiting for her to get to the point of her visit.

"Um, I'm in your Macroeconomics class. I noticed you left class early last Thursday, so I just wanted to drop off the notes in case you didn't get them."