4. Cemone

SOME DAYS LATER…

I sat down at the conference table, exhaling heavily because I already knew what this meeting with the coach, team manager, owner, and my agent was about. I was supposed to have been on my best behavior for the remainder of the season, and I had been until that fucking charity event.

"So I'm sure you know exactly why we're all here today, Compton." Coach Yoder flared his nostrils like a father tired of his disobedient ass son.

"Not really," I stated nonchalantly.

"Okay, well the incident with Dane Hill, Compton. What the hell were you thinking?" he inquired, eyes searching my face for some type of reasoning.

"He pissed me off." I clasped my hands together, pondering on whether or not I should keep shit real.

A part of me wanted them to understand, but the other part knew they wouldn't. As bad as I wanted her ass to be, Yolani wasn't nowhere near mine, so me going against everything I'd promised them in regard to my behavior over her made no fucking sense.

"Cemone, we need you to reel it in. People are going to piss you off, but you aren't some regular Joe Schmo on the street. You are a professional NBA player and also the team captain. You have to be a leader, and lately, you haven't been a good example." Sergio, the manager, frowned.

"Because of this, we are thinking of changing out the team captain to someone who takes the role a bit more seriously." Coach lifted his brows in unison.

"What nigga on the team takes that shit more seriously than me?" I frowned, daring Coach to give me a muthafuckin' name.

"A team captain is more than a good ball player and someone who can perform their job on the court. A good team captain is someone who can conduct themselves with some decorum in their everyday life. Your behavior has brought nothing but negative attention to the team, Compton."

I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. I was the best in the league right now, but every time I looked up, other shit was being discussed like how I couldn't control my fucking temper, the lies Solene spread, and whether or not I associated with shit and people I had no business dealing with.

Sighing, I nodded. "I got you. I'm gon' dial it back."

"You said that last time," my agent, Otis, reminded. "What happened with D-Hill that would make you break a promise?"

"He did some shit I didn't like." I straightened up. "But look, it don't even matter. I shouldn't have pushed that bitch ass nigga, especially since I knew he was gon' go crying to his coach like the ho that he is."

The room quieted before everyone excluding me chuckled and shook their heads at me.

"Hill is quite soft," Coach agreed, wiping down his mouth to seemingly erase his smile. "Still, Compton, keep your temper at bay and hands to yourself, no matter what kind of person it is. If you have to defend yourself, which you shouldn't need to because security detail is available, then by all means."

"Aight. I said I got it and y'all ain't got shit to worry about. Is that it? We gotta get to practice." I checked my watch.

"Yeah, go 'head." Coach nodded toward the exit.

I slapped hands with Otis then tread to the door.

"Oh, and Compton, leave the weapons at home when coming to games and practices. Anyone else would've been dropped from the team for doing such a thing. You have a code of conduct you must abide by." Sergio called after me, and I waved over my shoulder to let him know I'd heard.

I mainly brought the shit to protect myself for when I played in my own city, sadly enough. The niggas who hated yet loved you the most would always be in ya own hometown. You had half the people who were proud of you, shouting from the rooftops that you came from their city. Then you had the others who were jealous as fuck, not understanding why even though you both started from similar beginnings, you somehow made it further in life than them.

Only one time did I pull my gun on a teammate, which I agreed I shouldn't have done, but the only reason I felt that way was because these niggas would've never known that I carried to the locker rooms had I not done the shit. However, DeAngelo Moore, the nigga whose chin I put it under, deserved it.

Pushing that meeting to the back of my mind, but remembering to chill the fuck out, I changed and then met my team on the court so I could whip their asses into shape right along with Coach.

SOME NIGHTS LATER…

I wasn't really supposed to be out for the night, but since Unique asked me to, me being the only one somewhat available, I obliged. Now that this nigga was making top dollar from having top billing on Dough Boyz , he stayed going out. I didn't know how the nigga had all the energy. Shit, he and I weren't that damn far apart in age.

As I drank down some of the club soda in my glass, unable to consume any alcohol tonight, I scoped the scene. Per usual, Yolani's ass was on my mind.

"She might come tonight." Unique nudged me.

"Who? I ain't worried about no bitch."

"Yeah, aight, nigga. That's why yo' eyes been bouncing all around this muthafucka like you on the run."

I said nothing, gulping more of the fizzy drink as I thought about his words. I couldn't ignore the excitement swimming in my stomach at the thought of seeing Yolani tonight. She was just as busy and on the move as me, so not only had I not seen her ass in a minute, I didn't have the time like I wanted to locate her ass. Everything about this shit with her was new for a nigga.

I was used to women who didn't have careers as demanding as mine, meaning I was the one who decided when or where shit would go down. If I wanted to randomly fall through and fuck, I could, but not with Yolani. I'd fuck around and she'd be in a whole 'nother state. And it wasn't like she answered my texts, calls, or direct messages. She was driving a nigga crazy, and I didn't know if I could say the shit was in a positive or negative way.

"What make you think she coming?" I inquired against my will. But I eventually said fuck it. It was only Unique here, and if he brought the shit up around the bros, I'd deny it.

He smirked, chuckling into his drink before slurping some down as the whole club roared in excitement due to the deejay dropping LA classic "Like Whaaat" by Problem.

"This club always has a lot of celebrities, and this little bitch I'm fucking was begging to come because she heard Yolani would be here," he explained.

"How she hear that?" I asked, then immediately sucked my teeth at the way Unique bucked his eyes, mouth agape as if he couldn't believe how sick a nigga was. Shit, I couldn't believe it either.

"I don't know, nigga, but damn. Chill out. Wait until I tell everybody how you been acting. I might up my damn bet amount with Khari."

His comment made me whip my head in his direction.

"That ugly muthafucka for real made a bet with you niggas?" I tried not to laugh as Unique cracked up while nodding.

"Yeah. Even Banks is in on it." He doubled over at my shock. "Shakur the only one who believe in you. That's how that nigga is though. He swear you gon' get Yolani."

"That's why he my favorite brother. You see, he and I are the only ones with talent. The rest of you niggas did what you could with what the fuck you had." I shrugged as Unique shook his head at me, refilling his glass with Don Julio.

As Unique talked his shit, it was like my body knew her ass was here because I looked right to the area some ways down to see her walking into a section with the same girl she was with at Unique's wrap party. The friend said something, causing Yolani to laugh, and I was so wrapped up in the shit I didn't even notice Unique trying to get my attention until he snapped his fingers in my face.

"You want me to go talk to her for you?"

"Nigga, why the fuck would I need you to do that? I get more bitches than you."

"Yeah, but you struggling with that one. I bet you she ain't tell you she was free tonight."

I was salty as fuck because I had hit her ass up, seeing if she had even a sliver of time for a nigga. She'd agreed to a date, but I hadn't heard from her fuckgirl ass since. I was on edge, not giving a fuck when and where she wanted that muthafuckin' date to happen. Even if I was mid game, a nigga just might fake an injury or anything to get my ass up out of there just for a little of her time.

I tried to act like I was looking everywhere but her section; however, I couldn't help the shit. Every now and again, especially when Unique wasn't paying attention, I would get a full-on look. When I peeped her the fifth time, she saw me and had the muthafuckin' nerve to give me a head nod as if I hadn't been blowing her fucking line up. In response, I flicked her ass off, making her give a bright, closed-mouth smile with her infuriatingly pretty ass.

I mouthed for her to come here, waving along with it, but she shook her head like an unruly toddler.

Just as I pulled my phone out, readying to send her ass a text, I noticed some nigga who looked somewhat familiar enter her area. He was talking, clearly flirting, and Yolani looked beyond receptive. Here I was sitting by the phone like a bitch ass nigga, damn near about to beg for her to come sit with a nigga in the club because it was seemingly all I could get, and she was smiling in the next nigga's face.

"I'll be right back." I polished off the club soda and rose.

"Aye, Cemone, you just had a meeting about yo' antics. Don't forget, nigga."

"Mhm," I threw out, stepping past Unique and slipping out of the section, quickly making my way down toward Yolani's.

Her friend spotted me first, eyes widening and mouth falling open a bit.

"Wait, let me ask?—"

"Ask can you get yo' ass whupped?" I cut the bouncer to her section off, dwarfing him a bit.

Before he could volley a reply, I slipped past him, bumping the fuck out of his shoulder as I entered the area.

"Can I chill here for the night?" The nigga who I now recognized as some newbie rapper name Glib, began descending into the seat on the couch next to Yolani.

Gripping the back collar of his shirt, I halted his movements and said, "Nah, you can't, nigga. Get out." I nodded toward the salty ass bouncer eyeing me like if it were any other nigga, he'd jump on me.

"My bad. I wasn't aware she belonged to you. She ain't mentioned you once," he shot back, yanking his shirt from my grasp and deciding against sitting.

He thought his comment would make Yolani and her homegirl laugh, but they were both too shocked by my presence to give him what the fuck he wanted.

"She mention this?" I lifted my shirt just enough to show off the Glock sitting on my waist, making that stupid ass smile disappear instantaneously. "I ain't think so. I can make this muthafucka sing just like Yolani if you want it to, though."

"Okay, this isn't necessary." Yolani rose with her short ass, but I ignored her, staring Glib in his eyes.

He pondered for a bit then walked off, leaving the section as I let my shirt fall back in place.

"You got me fucked up." I turned my attention on Yolani.

"Excuse me?"

"I been calling you, texting you, and every fucking thing, and you act like you president of the muthafuckin' United States and can't reply to shit! Then I look up and see that goofy ass nigga all in yo' face and you smiling back, looking just as corny as his ass!" I exploded.

When I noticed a smile threatening to break through, I wanted to mush her ass.

"I am not playing you." She folded her arms. "I'm not your girl. I simply agreed to go on a date without telling you when it would happen and gave you my number. What part of that says I have to spend time with you?"

"Ooh." Her friend tried to comment lowly, but I still heard the shit.

"You know, Cemone, I am pretty shocked a playboy like you doesn't know the rules already. I shouldn't have to tell you this since clearly this behavior isn't a foreign concept to someone like you, Mr. Big Stuff. How many times have you not responded to a woman or told her you would call and never did?"

"Never. I don't make these hos promises, because I know I ain't gon' follow up." I shrugged, stepping back some because her perfume and that damn face was doing something to a nigga.

"Well, tonight is not our date night, so you can go ahead and exit my section while I go find Glib." She gave her homegirl a look and she tried to smother her smile.

"Nah, you and that nigga gotta leave."

"Cemone!" I heard Unique call after me, making me frown and wave his stupid ass off.

"You don't own this damn club, nigga." She stepped closer to me, making the whole reason I created space between us get thrown out the fucking window.

"I might as well." I threw my arms out, laughing. "'Cause I run this shit."

I'd never even been to this club, but all the clubs out here were on the same shit. I was top dog, and if I didn't want a muthafucka somewhere I was, the owner would always oblige. And since Yolani wanted to frolic with that bitch ass rapper, she and that nigga had to dip.

"You are such a fucking hater! I should fuck him in front of you!" She barked up at me.

"I wish you would." I got in her face, staring down at her so long my neck started hurting.

"You wanna see who really runs this club?" She raised a brow, and had she been a kettle, steam would've been floating from the top of her golden hair.

"I just told yo' ass."

"Nah." She shook her head. "We're about to see. We will both go to the deejay booth and see who the crowd wants to stay the night. Whomever gets the most cheers is the winner and gets to stay. The loser who no one wants here has to dip ."

"I'm not doing that childish shit."

"You scared? Don't you win everything? Aren't you the best at everything? Doesn't everyone want you?" She mocked me.

Except yo' stupid ass , I wanted to say.

"Aight, bet." I nodded.

"Let's go." She took my hand and started to lead me past the VIPs to the deejay booth.

The only thing I was thinking about was how her soft ass hand felt in mine. The shit felt good, like home to a nigga to the point where when she let go, it was like a bitter ass breeze had hit and wrapped back around me.

I watched her, admiring and barely listening as she explained what I assumed was our bet to the deejay.

"Aight, y'all, can the beautiful Yolani say something?" The deejay shouted over the club, making them scream her name.

Once she had the microphone in her hands, she said, "So Cemone Compton and I want to know who would you prefer to stay and party with y'all tonight out of the two of us. I want y'all to cheer the loudest for the one you vote for. Cool?" When they clamored and yelled in agreement, she stood on an ottoman like chair to be tall enough to put her hand over my head.

The club erupted, making me smirk a bit when we made eye contact.

"That's right." I nodded.

"Y'all are only cheering for him because of how he looks. He's no fun though," she joked, causing everyone in the big venue to laugh.

"What about me?" She put her own hand over head and the club burst into screams and howls so loud I had to shield my fucking ears. Even Unique's stupid ass cheered for her. I was gon' fuck him up.

As soon as I looked up and over at her, she shrugged and winked at me before putting the microphone back to her full lips saying, "Bye, Mr. Compton."

I caught a glimpse of Unique and shot him a death glare, causing his foolish ass to shrug. The whole time, as Yolani shit on me, I couldn't help but to notice how pretty she was, especially when she fucking smiled.

"Aight. A bet is a bet." I picked Yolani up off the ottoman, arm around her waist and brought her into me, slowly letting her to her feet. Like every time she got close to me, she gasped lowly at the feel of our bodies pressed together.

Before I let her go, I pressed my lips to her face, making the club wild out at the scene. She simpered surprisingly, not slapping the shit out of me.

I walked off without another word, not wanting to be a sore fucking loser. Meeting Unique in the section, I waved for him to bring his ass on.

"Nah, I ain't leaving with you, nigga. I got other plans." He shooed me just as a girl in a short ass dress strutted in.

"Bye, traitor ass nigga." I made my way out of the VIP and toward the back where only certain people were allowed to enter and exit. As I pressed on, I felt eyes on me and upon turning to see who they belonged to, I saw it was Yolani.

I mouthed that I was leaving, and she smiled before turning away. As I exited, I noticed the truck she'd rode in was the same one from the charity event, so instead of pulling off, I stayed put in my whip.

It wasn't long before Yolani came out the private back entrance with her friend. Hopping out, I watched her from over the car, and when she noticed, she paused.

"Good night, Cemone, although I don't know why you're still here," she said.

"She is too mean, and you too fine to be dealing with that," her friend called out drunkenly. "Let a real woman take care of you."

"I'm trying." I smiled, keeping my eyes on Yolani. "Come talk to me for a second."

"No. I have to?—"

"You ain't gotta do shit. Yo' tour don't start for a couple weeks, and you off right now."

"Damn, nigga, you stalking me?"

"No choice. You won't talk to a nigga. Bring yo' ass on." I rounded the back of my Rolls and went to open the passenger side door for her.

"I will be right back," she told her friend who nodded but then used her hand to form a phone, telling me to call her.

I didn't know if she was serious or not, but I doubted it considering it seemed she and Yolani were close as fuck. Either way, she would never hear from a nigga. I had tunnel vision.

I shut the door as soon as Yolani had both feet in, wishing I could lock her side alone so she wouldn't dart away before I joined her. I needed to chill out though. I had never been a thirsty muthafucka, but shit was different when it came to her ass, that was clear as fuck.

"Thank you. I can't believe I got you in my car," I jested, making her roll her eyes playfully.

She looked over at me, and I couldn't help but to admire her and that tiny ass skirt. Her body was on some crazy shit, and my mouth watered, taking in her deep caramel complexion that complemented her golden tresses that were straightened.

"So, Cemone," she got serious, eyes boring into mine, "now that you see I'm just as famous, rich, talented, and can get a man of your caliber, are you ready to show me something real?"

"You tough." I licked my lips, watching the street momentarily before focusing back on her. "On the date. I can show you whatever you want on a date."

"Okay." She nodded, solidifying it in her head seemingly. "And you remember our deal, right? That it can't be anything but one date."

"Why though?"

"Because… because I said so." She tugged on the lever of the door. "Good night, Cemone."

She was about to get out, but I gripped her arm to stop her.

"Let me drive you home. I ain't ready for you to be away from a nigga yet."

"I have a ride. My driver, Ronnie, is waiting right over there."

"I didn't ask if you had a ride. I said I wasn't ready to be away from you yet. Fuck Ronnie. Buckle yo' ass up." I started the car.

"This is low-key kidnapping." She buckled the seat belt then began typing away on her phone. I assumed she was letting Ronnie and her homegirl know the deal, but she could've been contacting the police or some shit too.

"Yeah… well, if that's the only way I can spend time with yo' mean ass, then so be it." I whipped out of the parking lot as she shoved her phone down into her purse.

"Hmm, well I have security and a huge gate surrounding my home, so don't think you can just pop up on me after this." She directed me onto the freeway.

Laughing, I shook my head, hitting the gas a little harder on the abandoned freeway. "I ain't thirsty enough to do no shit like that, usually, but the way you got a nigga acting out, I just might fuck around and get tased to get to you."

"Or get your ass beat?"

"By who? I ain't met a nigga yet who can fuck me up." I spoke facts.

"My security just may be that nigga."

We guffawed in unison.

"Don't get ya security laid out, Yolani. 'Cause you keep playing with a nigga's emotions like this and I'm gon' have to creep in yo' house at night."

"That is creepy!" She laughed hard, and knowing I brought that out of her had a nigga feeling godly. "To do what exactly?"

"Whatever you wanna do." I glanced at her, watching her nibble on her full bottom lip before focusing out the window as I drove.

"It would be nothing. We could maybe play Scrabble or chess."

"Like I said," I switched lanes, "whatever you wanna do. Chess, checkers, a muthafuckin' word puzzle, long as I'm the nigga with you."

"Ugh, Cemone."

"What?"

"You have game, I have to give you that. I see how you get the girls going crazy over you. I thank God I'm healed from my dizzy bitch stage, or I'd be putty in your hands too."

"I can't ever see you being dizzy for any nigga," I spoke truthfully.

"I'm not proud to admit it, but I have been. Never again though." She pointed where she wanted me to make a right.

"Why you have to stop being a dizzy bitch when I come into ya life?" I asked and she chortled.

"Shut up."

Her statement made me wonder what type of nigga was able to get past Yolani's rough ass exterior to make her that fucking vulnerable. I was hating on his ass and didn't even know him.

I pulled through her gates after she did some high-tech shit on her phone and then came to park in front of the vast mansion she called home.

I watched her closely as she gathered her things, seeing how well put together she was from her head to her fucking toes. Seeing her, being around her, seeing her home reminded me that I couldn't use my usual tactics to impress Yolani, which scared a nigga for real. Not much frightened me, but that shit did.

I couldn't floss on her with my funds, my house, my fame, or anything I usually dangled in front of these hos to make their asses fall at my feet. The only thing I had over her was my height, but that didn't mean shit in the grand scheme of things.

"I need an actual day, Yolani. I need time to plan, make shit special for you."

"How is this coming Saturday?"

I thought for a second, hurriedly running through my playing schedule, and by the grace of God, I would be coming back in town Friday night since my game was Thursday.

"Perfect." I was more excited than I was showing and for good ass reason.

"Okay. Um, don't spend too much, Cemone, because I don't want you getting the impression that I'm gonna put out."

"Damn, no matter how much a nigga blows, I can't hit?" I asked, and her jaw slacked in shock. "I'm fucking with you, Lani. How many times you gotta remind me I can't get none? If I was only interested in pussy, I would've went for ya friend, not you."

"You are such an asshole." She shook her head.

"Not trying to be, just keeping shit a buck."

"Well, see you Saturday, Cemone. And remember our agreement." She leaned over to kiss me on the cheek, keeping hold of my face to be sure I didn't sneak one on the lips. The gesture made me chuckle slightly.

I watched, admired, basked in the way she got out of the car, wondering if this would be the moment I caught a glimpse of some shit. Yolani was the queen of wearing short shit but somehow never slipping up and showing too much. You would always be on fucking edge, waiting to see the curve of the bottom of her round ass but would never get it.

That shit turned me on, and I didn't even know why. Everything about Yolani said you had to pay to play, and I was with it.

She switched effortlessly in the tall ass heels to her door. I thought her walk was performative, something she did for social media, but seeing her now told me that was just her. She just had that shit. It wasn't on her, it was in her.

Shaking my head because I knew she was about to put a nigga through the wringer, I pulled off. However it would all be worth it.

S itting up on the weight bench, I gulped down some water, scoping the sparsely populated gym. I had one in my home, but here and there, I liked to get out, and this spot was perfect. It was expensive as fuck, so the majority of people that frequented here were too rich or famous or both to give a fuck about me working out nearby.

Just as I was about to lie back, I heard a noticeable voice coming my way. Shutting my eyes, I tried to ignore it and proceed with my workout, but it wasn't long before Solene was standing next to the bench.

"I knew one day I would catch you here."

This gym was another expense she had no business accumulating. But Solene would do anything to look like she was rich and getting it on social media, and she'd also do anything, pay anything, give anything to be around a nigga.

"Catch me here for what?" I asked dryly, irritated by the sight of her. She wasn't even in gym attire, but instead in a tight ass dress and heels.

"Because I wanna make amends." She sat on the small space of the weight bench, licking her lips to entice me.

"Get yo' ass up 'fore I clock you with one of these plates," I stated sternly and seriously, eye contact fixed.

She hopped up, mouth twisted. Not giving a fuck, I lay back and gripped the barbell.

"You hate me but you're probably still fucking Ananda."

"Ask her. Y'all BFFs, right?" I started pumping iron. "Regardless of who I'm fucking, I ain't ever fucking you again. I ain't have to tell you that shit, though; it's evident since I only hit once and never again." I looked up and over at her balled-up ass face for a millisecond.

"I should push this shit down on your stupid ass!"

"You better make sure you kill me 'cause if you don't, they gon' be mopping yo' ass up off this gym floor."

She got quiet, standing there like a fucking idiot as I continued working out, checking my texts to see if Yolani got the gumption to hit a nigga up just for shits and giggles. Of course, her ass hadn't.

My family always said a woman would bring me back down to earth one day, and I never believed that shit would happen until now. Yolani had a nigga double-checking my self-esteem.

"If I stop talking to blogs, will you start back picking Callen up instead of your parents?" Solene asked softly.

Her face had always been pretty, and her first baby daddy had gotten her body done, so initially when I met her ass, she was a sight to see. Now though, her personality had outshined any and all of her damn beauty, so she was ugly as fuck to me.

"No." I got up and started off, her following me.

When I caught eyes with the manager, I gave him a quick nod, and he passed that message to security who quickly had Solene removed, ignoring her insults and all the hollering she did over the gym in that stupid ass outfit.

I hoped one day God removed her weird ass from my life without me having to intervene, but if I had to do the shit, I wouldn't too much mind at all.