23
Victor rushed from the house, jumped in his Mercedes, backed out of the garage, and drove away from the subdivision. He barreled down the street as if he had no morale aptitude—a maniac, disobeying the road signs—the law of the land. All of a sudden his right leg flew up and slammed down on the brakes. Screech, his tires squealed as he narrowly missed a city bus that pulled away from the curb and into traffic.
His mind was bogged down, clogged with the stress of his ongoing dilemma, a dilemma that Victor was going to alleviate sooner than later. Not once had Victor thought about abandoning his quest to get rid of what he conceived to be the thorns in his side—Mimi and Afrika, but Brenda’s insistence upon seeing Mimi left him no option but to nip it in the bud. Mimi, like himself, had no desire to expose her secret, yet having Mimi and her daughter in such close proximity to his family spelled future disaster.
Several traffic lights later, Victor hung a left and forged ahead, making a right turn into Mimi’s subdivision. He slowed the car down to a crawl and was about to park his car in an open slot when the door to Mimi’s condo flew open and John Carroll appeared on the doorstep.
Victor continued without stopping, circling back to try and assess what was going on. How did John fit into the equation and why was he suddenly interested in Mimi’s well-being? After all, wasn’t Mimi married? Angry at this sudden turn of events, Victor left the subdivision and headed back into traffic. He picked up his BlackBerry, dialed a number and waited for the caller to pick up.
AFRIKA SAT WITH THE CAR IDLING AS SHE WAITED FOR ASIA TO PUT up her cheerleading gear in her room. Finally Asia reappeared and headed toward Afrika’s car.
“Girl, I’m starving after that workout,” Asia said.
“Well, get in,” Afrika said, pulling away from the curb. “My mouth is watering for pizza.”
“Where is Keith? I thought he was going with us.”
“He’s going to meet us there.”
“Oh,” Asia said, sitting back as she watched the scenery go by. “Why don’t we go shopping instead of eating? I want to get another pair of jeans before we go to the frat party. My man will be there.”
“Let’s do it after we eat. I told Keith we’d be there in fifteen minutes. Don’t try to back out now. We won’t make you feel like a third wheel.”
“Okay, let’s do this.”
Afrika drove up Fayetteville Street and crossed over Interstate 95. The mall was ahead on the right, and in a few minutes more they would be at their destination. Afrika navigated her way in the parking lot and found a parking spot not too far away from California Pizza.
The girls exited the car, excitement about seeing Keith consuming Afrika as she walked with a purpose.
“Slow up, Nikki,” Asia said, skipping to keep up with her.
Afrika slowed but broke out into a grin when she spotted Keith sitting at a table.
“Who’s Keith sitting with?” Asia wanted to know as they approached the table.
Afrika shrugged her shoulders and gave Asia an ‘I don’t know’ look. Keith turned around when he felt the ladies at his back and broke into a grin. He stood up and put his arms around Afrika and introduced her.
“Zavion, this is my girl, Nikki, and her best friend, Asia.”
Zavion stood up, taking an extra dose of Asia. “Cool. Nice to meet you.” He nodded his head.
Asia looked from Afrika to Keith. Afrika sensed Asia’s mood change, but then she saw Asia’s eyes travel the length of Zavion who stood tall, in buff medium brown skin, his hair locked in short twists. Zavion seemed to appreciate the mulling over he was getting from the beautiful girl who had yet to say a word. A smile awaited Asia when she finally connected with Zavion’s face.
“You a basketball player?” Asia asked, as she continued to digest the man who stood before her, rocking back and forth like he had stirred up something in her.
“Yeah, I play for UNC. I’m a forward,” Zavion answered.
Keith and Afrika seemed to relax as Asia finally sat down next to Zavion.
“Umph. How tall are you?” Asia asked, her inquisitive mind running wild.
“Six-three,” Zavion said.
“Are you finished with your interrogation?” Afrika asked Asia, giving her a look.
“Not quite,” Asia said. “Go on and order your pizza. Zavion and I are still getting acquainted.”
Zavion smiled.
Before long, the foursome were chatting incessantly and eating pizza by the mouthfuls. Time buzzed by.
“Do you still want to go to the store and…” Afrika began before Asia cut her off.
“No, no. I’ve changed my mind,” Asia said. Then she turned toward Zavion, linking her arm through his. “I don’t know if Keith bothered to tell you, but there is an Alpha party tonight in Durham. Would you like to tag along?”
Zavion gave Keith a cursory glance, pretending to know nothing. “If you’re going to be there, I’m already on my way to the party,” Zavion said to Asia.
Asia winked at Afrika. “I say why don’t we get out of here and get our party on. Nikki and I are going to the restroom first, but we’ll be ready to go when we come out.”
“I’ll be ready, too,” Zavion said, as he watched Asia work the jeans she was wearing until she and Afrika were out of sight.
“I told you she was high-strung,” Keith said.
“Just like I like them. Let me do the worrying; I can handle Asia. But I thought you said she had a boyfriend.”
“That’s what Nikki told me, but apparently Asia likes what she sees. The girl plays hardball.”
“I’m all for playing hardball with Ms. Asia, but I don’t want any drama. Asia or no Asia, I plan to still be on the basketball team when they make it to the Final Four next year.”
“That’s it,” Keith said, fist bumping with Zavion. “You’ve got NBA on the brain.”
“My first priority next to graduating from college,” Zavion said. “But it wouldn’t hurt to bring home a good looking sister to grandma—a possible in my future.”
Keith and Zavion laughed.
“Here come the ladies,” Keith whispered. “Man up.”
The guys followed the ladies out of the restaurant. “We’ll follow you,” Afrika said to Keith.
“I thought we’d go together,” Keith retorted.
“I’ll drive,” Afrika said, “in case I need to leave folks behind because they aren’t ready to go home when I am.”
“Who are you talking about?” Asia grinned.
“I haven’t a clue,” Afrika said, shaking her head.
“I’m ready to party,” Keith interjected. “I’ll drive around to your car in a second.”
“You lead; I’ll follow,” Afrika said. The girls laughed and got in the car.
“What are you going to do about your quarterback who’s going to be at the party tonight?” Afrika asked, shaking her head at Asia.
“Girl, did you see that fine Zavion? Who’s worried about Deon?”
“He’s the Eagles quarterback, silly.”
“And Zavion’s going to someday be on an NBA team. I’d rather have a b-baller than a big ole gross football player.”
“They both got muscles.”
“But Zavion’s are all in the right place. I’m ready to find out a little more about this one. Keith isn’t so bad after all, if he’s got friends like Zavion.”
“Let me tell you one thing, Miss Asia. I’m not getting caught up in your mess tonight. And don’t forget we’ve got to cheer tomorrow.”
“Have some fun, Nikki. You sure know how to take the buzz out of a high.”
“So you’re high now?”
“When Zavion slapped those lips around that pizza, I was imagining it was me. His eyes are hazel, like Trevor’s. Can you drive any faster?”
“I can’t go any faster than Keith is driving. Hold on. You just met the guy.”
“Zavion is going to be mine. Mark my words, Nikki.” Asia sucked her teeth. “Yeah, I want him.”