CHAPTER 3 EXCERPT

I walked through the store and made my way to Foot Locker, where Julian was lifting the gate from the inside. "Whatup nigga?" I said trying my best not to sound or look as high as I was. "Hey Travis" he said, sporting the same plastic smile that seemed to be stuck on his face. He would've been handsome if he weren't always grinning like the cheshire cat. His skin had an enviable light brown tone with freckles marking his cheeks. His form-fitting uniform revealed an athlete's body, and his sharp fade made me guess that this dude probably pulled more girls than Marcus and Terrence.

"Close, Tremaine" I said. "My bad, man. So the Kobe's, is that all you were looking for?" he asked. "Yup," I said, sounding more hurried than I intended to. He dug out a box from under the register and rang me up. I pulled out my wallet and nearly freaked out to find it empty, and Julian gave me a sideways look. I set the wallet down and began emptying my pockets, then remembering that when I was at Mcdonald's I threw the rest of the change into my hoodie pocket. Relieved to find it there, I pulled out a wad of twenty's and handed them to Julian. He gave me my change and receipt and I was about to leave when he called my name.

"Yeah man?" I answered. He looked around suspiciously and asked me if I smoke green. I wasn't really looking to incriminate myself, for all I knew Julian had mall security waiting around the corner. I cursed myself for being stupid enough to bring pot with me, even if it was a small amount. He must've smelled it on me, and sometimes my eyes get really glossed over. "Look," he said, "my weedman's phone is turned off and, I don't mean to sound like a fiend but I had a rough week and I've been dying to smoke. Did you have any plans for the rest of the day?"

Any other day I would've told a stranger asking me to smoke to fuck off but he seemed genuine enough, and I did pay about fourty bucks less than what the shoes were supposed to cost so he must've rang me up with his discount. "No plans man. I mean, I gotta pick up my girlfriend from school at three, after that I'm good." We exchanged numbers and he said he'd call me when he got off at five. I spent the rest of the day walking around the city, afraid that Auntie A would be home and read me the riot act over skipping school. I left the shoes with Julian, not wanting to drop them off at home and risk getting caught. I wandered around some downtown shops, got into an impromptu basketball game with some college kids, and stopped by the travel center to pick up some brochures for California.

I met Lauren at the 711 next to the school and she ragged on me a bit about skipping school, but gave me a kiss and took my hand as we started home. On the way I got a text from Terrence saying he was bored since Marcus was out with his dad, and I replied that I'd give him a call after five. I was sure Julian wouldn't mind adding one more person to the rotation, as long as it wasn't the guy who gave him a hard time before throwing up outside his store. Auntie A was home when we got there, and she gave me twenty dollars to order a pizza before stepping out the door. As soon as we heard her pull off we settled on the couch in the living room and put on a movie.

Five minutes into it we were making out. "Hold on baby, I don't know how long Auntie A is gonna be gone, and I'm starved. Let's order that pizza." I hopped up and grabbed the phonebook. "Domino's or Pizza Hut babe?" I asked, already knowing the answer. "Pizza Hut," she said as she rummaged through the fridge for something to drink. "Would your Aunt care if we took a few shots of this vodka?" she asked. "Probably not, as long as we're not going anywhere." She poured two shots of vodka and a cup of fruit punch for herself to chase. "Punk" I said, taking my shot straight. It was stronger than I expected and burned a little going down, but I had to man up since my girl was right there.

"Pour me one more babe" I said before ordering our pizza. When I was done I downed another shot with Lauren and we got back on the couch. "Damn, that shit is strong" she said, making an ugly face and sipping some more punch. After sucking faces through another five minutes of the movie, I asked, "feel like burning real quick while we wait for the pizza?"

We went up to my bathroom and cut the fan on to kill the smell. I lit an incense and Lauren started unbuttoning her top while I loaded my pipe. She kissed me a few times before taking the pipe and drawing in a slow, long hit. She passed it to me and I took a few hits of my own before setting it down. I leaned against the counter and she pulled my shirt off and undid my belt.

We kissed a little more before each taking another hit of my pipe. She unzipped my pants and wrapped her lips around my dick like it was a lollipop. She licked, sucked and yanked on my dick until it stood straight out like it was giving her a salute. She went back and forth from slobbing on my knob and smoking until the last hit came back to me. I inhaled slowly and held my breath for a second. She started jerking my dick and said "you can't breathe out until I make you come" with a grin on her face.

She swallowed all nine inches like Superhead and started jerking me faster and faster. Whether it was the pleasure she was giving me or holding my breath for so long, I felt like I was going to pass out. "Oh fuck" I said, cheating and letting some of the smoke out. "Fuck!" I yelled and finally let loose into Lauren's tight grip. I let out the rest of the smoke and paused for a second to collect myself. "Damn girl, a nigga could use another shot." I pulled my pants back up and started to buckle my belt.

"You know, Tremaine, Marissa said her boyfriend goes down on her and that it's better than gettin' fucked" Lauren said while she rinsed off her hand. She stared at me for a second and I kissed her, then said "babe, you know how I feel about that. I'll buy you toys, I'll get my fingers wet. And if you'll consider another female, I'll think about that threesome you wanted with another dude, that's how much I love you. But going downtown is something I just won't do." I gave her another kiss and she gave me a smug look.

The doorball rang and I rushed downstairs and grabbed the twenty dollar bill off the counter. "Right on time, a brother is starving" I said when I opened the door. The pizza guy laughed and I told him he could keep the change. He thanked me and I shut the door, ready to tear that pizza apart. "Smells good" Lauren said when I set the boxes down on the counter. She poured us two more shots and I grabbed two plates out the cabinet. I piled four slices onto my plate, and watched Lauren pick out a single slice. "I thought you said you were hungry girl" I said. "I am" she replied. I was about to curse her for eating one slice after begging me to get two pizzas when my phone went off, it was Terrence.

"Whatup bitch" I said with my mouth full, savoring the first bite of my supreme pizza. "Nigga it's after six, you still wanna play ball tonight?" "Shit" I cursed and looked at the clock, it was almost six-thirty. "What's wrong?" Terrence asked. "Old dude from Foot Locker wanted to get up and smoke tonight. He got off at five but Lauren and I have been drinking so I really don't wanna go anywhere anytime soon" I said. "Oh, you hanging out with your girl tonight? My bad nigga I ain't mean to interrupt yall's little love session. Just remember to wrap it before you tap it my nigga" Terrence joked. "I'll see you in school tomorrow. You want me to pick you and Lauren up in the morning?" he asked. "Sure, see you in the morning." I hung up and dialed Auntie A's cell. "Hello?" she answered. "Hey Auntie, would you mind giving Lauren a ride home? It's raining hard outside and her mom didn't answer the house phone." "Tremaine, I'm at Rhonda's getting my hair done and I hate a date planned for tonight. She can stay over tonight if she wants, if not I won't be home for a few more hours" she said. "Okay. Have fun on your date" I said before hanging up.

Auntie A was married once but divorced when I was little. Everbody in the family said the dude was beating on her, but that was hard to believe because she was a tough woman. Either way, she seemed to have a hard time finding a man to stick around, so I was glad to hear she was dating again. "Would you mind if we hung out with one of my friends who works at the mall?" I asked Lauren. She shook her head no and went to grab our shots off the counter. I took mine and browsed through the contacts in my phone until I got to Julian's number. I called him and the phone rang so long I was about to hang up until a woman answered.

"Hi, um, I may have the wrong number. Can I speak to Julian?" I said, trying my best to sound proper. "This is Julian's mother, we're at the Loyola Emergency Room right now, Julian was in a pretty bad car accident. Is this his boyfriend?"

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