A Recipe for Disaster (Clash Of Cliches Book 2)

Chapter 6- *Insert Middle Finger Emoji Here*

Chapter Six- *Insert Middle Finger Emoji Here*

The next morning saw me up bright and early, hyped for my first day as a tee ball coach. While it was unfortunate (for me), that Kameron would be coaching at the community center too, it didn't mean I had to acknowledge him when he was being his annoying self. He was gonna be poolside mostly, while I was going to be training my little squadron of four and five-year-old future all star girl tee ballers on the baseball diamond. Hell, I probably wouldn't even see him half the time. Right?

Right?

A dismissive voice deep in my head whispered, 'keep telling yourself that,' as I skipped downstairs, my duffle bag containing all my equipment swinging in my hand. Even my damn subconscious knew that if Kameron wanted to be where I was, he would find a way. With his persistent ass. I wasn't sure if the thought was alarming, or kinda -cute?

Issa problem.

I strode into the kitchen with my head held high, my eyes falling on Jermaine, who was eating a bagel. Immediately, I clued in on the fact that he was wearing pyjama bottoms, a pair of Reebok slides, and his vintage Jordan basketball jersey. It was also around 9am, a time when Jermaine was usually out of the door, either heading to work, training, or to do Jermaine things. Him chilling in the kitchen meant that he was off work for the day, and didn't plan to do anything more than kick back. An inkling of an idea stirred in my mind, and I couldn't stop myself from rubbing my hands together, like a mad scientist.

Time to finesse my way into driving Maino's car.

"Good morning, brother mine," I simpered, my sneakers pattering on the kitchen tiles as I crossed the floor to wrap my arms around Jermaine's back in an awkward hug.

Lazily, Jermaine patted my hand with his. "Morning, Ness," he said, pointing to his breakfast tray with his spare hand. Oatmeal sprinkled with fruit, a glass of milk, and two bagels spread with peanut butter. My stomach growled as I eyed one of the bagels eagerly. "Want in on some breakfast?"

"Say no more," I replied, stepping around him and grabbing a bagel. Whole wheat. It was like he knew I was coming. I took a bite, almost forgetting my plan of action as I borrowed a few sips of milk from Maino's glass. Focus, Janessa! "So, what's your plans for the day?"

Jermaine's eyes slid over to me as I sat down on a stool opposite him, making myself comfortable, and he shrugged. "Hanging out at the crib, I guess," he replied nonchalantly. "You? Headed to your first shift?"

"Yup. I'm excited, in case you couldn't tell."

My bag held my entire softball gear, shin pads and all. I even had eye black under my eyes. Too extra? So what if I was training little kids? I was gonna train them right.

A rare smirk on his face, Jermaine mumbled, "I really couldn't tell."

"Well, I was thinking, and this is only if you want, you could use my PSN card that I got from Brandon for my birthday. I know you wanted to get the NBA 2K15 add-on." I steepled my fingers, wishing I had a pair of glasses to slide down my nose and look over the rim, scholar like.

Without missing a beat, Jermaine rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What do you want?"

When in doubt, feign confusion.

"I don't know what you mean," I gasped, hand over my heart like a wannabe actress in a school play. "I'm just offering you a share of my PSN money. Twins share, Maino. It's what we do."