Page 22 of Do You Right

I smirked then began my arm warm-up. I was in a daze the whole time, but every now and then I could hear the announcers speaking on my calm demeanor. “I don’t know if he’s truly humble or just focused, but this guy does not seem to be affected by the pressure of tonight’s game.” I could only shake my head because, little did they know, I was in complete turmoil on the inside. I smiled when it was time for the game to begin because there was only one thing that would silence the noise.

Every time I went up to bat, everything that was wrong flooded my mind, and I took it out on the ball. The crowd went wild every time I sent a ball flying into the stands. When I was on the field, I chased after every ball like my life depended on it. I’d helped more niggas get out in this game alone than my entire career. But none of it mattered to me because I knew when it was all over, I didn’t have a day one to celebrate it with anymore.

“I’m so proud of you, Son,” my mama said, pinching my cheek.

I gave her a half-hearted smile. “Thank you, Mama. I wouldn’t have made it this far without all the sacrifices you and Pops made over the years to get me here.”

My father lifted his cup, prompting everyone else in the backyard to do the same. “Tonight, we celebrate my son becoming a Solaire Sonics record breaker. As your parents, we’ve seen how hard you’ve worked to get here, and if we had to do it all over again, we would still pour everything we had into helping you achieve your dreams.” His voice began to go hoarse from his emotions, and it brought tears to my eyes. “Everybody, take a shot for my fucking juvi!” he yelled once he got it together.

After tossing my liquor back, I found an opportunity to slip away. Thankfully, everyone was in the backyard, so I was able to escape to the front porch in peace. I plopped down on the steps and found the sky was littered with stars. I could hear my family celebrating in the backyard and wished I could share in their excitement.

“What are you doing out here?” Peach’s sweet voice teased from behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder to find her standing there with a wine cooler in her hand. She wore a fitted black designer dress and black shark boots. I held out a hand for her that she accepted. I guided her until she was sitting between my legs. I wasted no time wrapping my arms around her body and burying my face in the crook of her neck. I inhaled her natural scent and instantly felt a blanket of serenity fall on my shoulders.

“What’s on your mind, baby?”

She began to play in my hair which grounded me in the moment with her. “I keep thinking about how bittersweet the day has been. It’s like, on one end of the spectrum, I’m so fucking happy because I finally achieved something I’ve always wanted, but at the same time, I’m struggling to celebrate because I lost my closest friend. The person I thought would be here to celebrate with me. Life is funny like that. Two things being true at once.”

Chai sighed as her head bobbed up and down. “I know what you mean, and all we can do is maneuver through every high and low to the best of our abilities. I hate seeing you like this, but it’s all JoJo’s fault.”

Her tone turned sinister, making me lift my head. I studied her face and saw the same disdain from before. “Do you finally want to tell me why you don’t like JoJo? Y’all have never had good chemistry.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, eyes bouncing everywhere but on mine. “You might as well tell me now.”

She gulped dramatically and groaned. “I used to always see you around the neighborhood, but I never really paid you much attention.” I frowned, hearing her say that. I tightened my grip, making her yelp. Her laugh was music to my ears, and I almost found a reason to smile. “Focus, boy. Anyways, this particular day, I saw Tycelyn and JoJo making out when you got in your car and left. They caught me watching, and that was the first time me and Tycelyn fought because she slapped me. JoJo broke my violin to break the fight up. I never liked either of them from that moment on. Not to mention he never spoke to me with respect.”

My hands balled into fists hearing her truth, but what made my heart race wasn’t the fact that JoJo and Ty were playing in my face. What really hurt me was knowing that she’d swallowed the grievances she had with them just to keep the peace. I didn’t like to hear that she would suffer for my sake.

My eyes watered, and I got pissed at the thought of crying again. I hugged Chai tighter to tamper down my rampant emotions. “While I do wish you told me what you knew, I understand why you didn’t. I guess that’s why they freaked every time they saw us together. They just knew you told me, huh?”

She nodded. “I’m certain that’s what it was, and during that time, I had my own problems. I had no reason to be invested in your personal affairs.”

“And what about now?”

She gripped my chin before placing a sweet kiss on my lips. I moaned, feeling my body come alive for the first time in the last twenty-four hours. “Your business is my business. You’ve already removed all the snakes, so I can chill.”

I allowed my eyes to float to the sky. “Me and JoJo met during T-ball. To be honest, he was a great player with a solid pitch and had the talent to make it as far as I have, but one night when we were thirteen years old, he wanted to sneak into the community pool. I went along with it, and for a good little minute, we had a great time, but then security came to chase us away. JoJo fell when he jumped the fence to get away and fucked up his shoulder for life.” Flashes of the past appeared in my mind, reminding me of a simpler time. “I always felt so guilty about what happened to him because it could’ve been me. One minute we’re in the pool talking about how we’re going to go pro and get a championship ring, then the next, his entire future was gone like that.” I snapped my fingers to prove a point.

Chai kissed my cheeks, making me feel all warm on the inside. I wasn’t sure what that was about, but I always welcomed the feeling because it came from being close to her. “What happened to JoJo was not your fault. He made the choice to go to the pool, and you had no control over him getting injured. Because he lost his chance, he wanted to ruin your life. Who the fuck does that? Jealousy is so real.”

I chuckled, hearing her get all worked up. “Oh, you mad about that, huh? Justice for your man?”

“Damn right! Justice for bae! Fuck!”

We both doubled over laughing because her voice was so cute when she cursed. I couldn’t take her ass serious, but them hands worked for sure. “You so damn silly.”

“Only when I’m with you, but you should know he wasn’t only jealous of your success. It was also the way your parents loved and supported you. People like that will always find a reason to not be on your side. You are a genuine person and have a big heart. Don’t blame yourself for not seeing who he really was sooner. It happens to the best of us.”

“Aww, thank you, my sweet Peach. I think I actually feel better now.”

She hopped up quickly with a smile. “Okay, good. Guess I don’t have to give you head after all.”

My mouth fell open in shock. “Wait! Wait! I ain’t know head was a part of the comfort package. Get back over here. I’m still sad. Look, I’m crying.”

She shook her head adamantly. “No, it’s too late now, boo. You is healed!”

I hopped up so fast she had no time to prepare, before I scooped her up and spun her around in a circle. “I love you, Chai Rose,” I confessed when I finally placed her back on her feet.

She palmed my cheek with a beautiful smile lighting up her eyes. “I love you too, Kaizi Carter.”