In Too Deep

Twenty Three. Blood

Jalynn P.O.V.

"Okay look. I wanna show you something." I said pulling Rah to the grass in the park.

"What is it?"

"Ima show you." I said pushing him down into a chair.

"Aight." he said licking his lips then smiling at me.

I stepped back into the grass and broke from a roundoff into a double full.

"Your double." he said smiling at me pulling me into a hug.

"Yeah." I said laughing.

"I'm proud of you stink." he said kissing my forehead.

"Thank you."

"So this you means you made the competition squad?"

"Yes." I said smiling.

"Look at you!" he said hugging me again.

We sat down together and he laid his head in my lap.

"We start in January. Practice everyday now." I said sighing.

"This what you wanted, though, right?"

"I just don't wanna be overwhelmed with that, school, and spending time with you."

"You can't let me get in the way of your shit. Ima still be here."

"You're not in the way. That's in the way of us."

He chuckled. "Ya priorities fucked up ma."

"You are my priority."

"You don't gotta worry about us. We good."

"Okay."

"You talked to your dad about next week?"

"Ummm no."

"When you gon ask him?"

"I was just gon tell him I was going to Dior's."

"Nah." he said chuckling.

"What you mean no?"

"I ain't letting you come to my house without nobody knowing. Your people trust me we gon keep it that way."

"Pussy." I said mushing his head.

He sat up and looked at me. "Now you know i'm a lot of things. Pussy ain't one of em." he said standing up and helping me get up.

"Yes, I know. I'll ask him tonight."

We walked toward my neighborhood from the park.

"My mom wants to know what you wanna eat for dinner that night?"

"Anything she cooks will be good."

"You gotta tell her something." he said laughing.

"Umm Alfredo."

"Aight Ima let her know."

"You so handsome in this sunlight."

"What I'm ugly in the dark?" he asked laughing at me.

"You gon take the compliment?"

"Thank you."

"You ready for Friday?"

"Yeah. I mean it's a lot of pressure but it's what we been working for."

"Y'all got this. The next state champions mark my word."

"I hope so baby." he said grabbing my hand as we crossed the street.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.