Lichelle Andrews
I walked back in my room, shaking life a leaf. There was no fear running through my veins but excitement. I wouldn't be surprised if I looked into the mirror and saw that my eyes were brightened. I wouldn't be surprised if my cheeks were flushed because my face felt hot. I wouldn't be surprised if I were to touch myself, I might come to orgasm without much effort at the remembrance of the moment. What surprised me was that DeMarcus Cousins' name was on every single reaction to his actions.
My phone buzzed as I walked in and tossed my books and myself on the bed unceremoniously. Against my better judgement I picked up the phone and groaned at the message that read:
DeDumbass:
What you run for?
My heart picked up speed all over again and it was all I could do before I started hyperventilating. I texted him back.
Leave me alone DeMarcus.
Obviously, we're missing a whole episode, so let me catch you up.
Rewind...
I met up with DeMarcus at the Starbucks he chose. How we ended up near Union Square Park I wasn't certain but all the same, I was hungry, and I was expecting him to pay since he chose the location. My last class was a pain in my behind and although talking to him was probably the last thing I wanted to do, I needed it off of my to-do list. I planned for the conversation to be dry, quick and painless because he'd made it obvious that talking to me wasn't exactly on his to-do list either.
I walked in, catching him in a semi-private corner with his books out. I smirked at how he barely fit at the table and almost melted at how cute he looked even with his size. He wore a grey tee shirt and a pair of black denim jeans. I idly thought he might've completed his look with some fashion glasses but tossed the thought aside. I wasn't about to give this man fashion advice to propel him forward. I was done giving out advice.
However, I called out his name and warmed up inside at the way he looked up at me and acknowledged my presence with a smirk. I could tell he was up to no good but without the excuse to snipe at him all I could was walk over and squeeze into the booth across from him.
"What's up? I...don't know what you like from here, so I was waiting on you."
"Something calm. I'm hungry for real so one of their sandwiches and maybe a passion tea would be nice."
"Sweetened?" he questioned, standing up, "I get mine with lemonade."
I shook my head in the negative and he nodded, taking to the line. While I waited, I grabbed all of my books and informed the group I might be skipping out on dinner. Shakyra had written back that she was cooking so whatever leftovers was there I was welcomed to. I replied back with a smiley. I was pretty sure that I'd snatch something while I started on my rough draft after talking with this knucklehead.
Said knucklehead approached with the food and sat down, handing me a chicken wrap protein box while he had a chicken and double smoked bacon sandwich. We ate quietly for a couple of minutes after I thanked him for the meal. His quiet head nod threw me off a tad, but we ate. That was until he coughed, grabbing my attention from random thoughts I was having.
"You're quiet. The food is aight but it's not that good. We gotta get through this and move on."
I smirked, "I don't rush through my food and also, this is kind of a break before we start working isn't it? We've been non-stop in classes all day. At least I was."
"You're right. I'm a little antsy if I'm honest."
"Why?" I questioned, shocked at the confession,
"This," he motioned back and forth, "Isn't our norm. By now we would've gone back and forth on some bullshit, so I don't know how to react to us cordially eating lunch like we ever got along before."
I shrugged, "Most of that was your fault, DeMarcus."
He rolled his eyes, "It's like four years later and you're still crying over that shit? What bugged me out was, I tried to get at you after the fact and you ripped me a new one. How was I supposed to react after that shit? Show up to your crib with roses?"
"It would've been a start." I giggled, picturing the giant standing at my door with flowers, "You came at me like I'm these other chicks when I'm not. Ay yo ma, doesn't turn me on."
"It would've had I reacted to you differently. I didn't understand the jerseys and the snapbacks. Why hide ya figure?"
"I love sports, nigga." I snapped, "I was a superfan and just didn't give a fuck. I'm sorry you wanted to see ass and tits to confirm that I have a pussy."
"You should be. I was mad for weeks on end that when you started dressing right, you were fine as fuck and dating Wall's corny ass."
DeMarcus' eyes then veiled, and I realized he said more than he meant to. The flow of the conversation was almost halted when I raised up my hand.
"Corny ass? You were chilling with my man the whole time but didn't like him?"
"Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to."
"Obviously, I'm past ready to hear all of this shit. You treated me horribly on account of..."
"I mean...John was cool but if I can keep it a buck, he wasn't the right dude for you. All that nigga did was take, take, and take some more and would've taken some more if he could."
I raised a brow, finally picking up my tea to sip on it. I took a moment because I realized that he knew I wasn't getting married. I was wondering if I should be cursing out Kofi or Justine because they were the only two that knew, far as I knew. I wasn't sure how close Kofi and DeMarcus were these days considering they weren't as close as they used to be.
"How'd you know?" I questioned, raising a brow, "I haven't been walking around spouting out that information to just anybody. Kofi run his mouth?"
He chuckled, "Nah. I follow sports blogs. Wall is having the time of his life right now and I knew that wasn't happening while he was engaged to you."
I smirked at his answer because it was sound. I hadn't known what John was up to since we parted but I did find solace in the fact that DeMarcus knew I didn't tolerate disrespect of any kind. It was interesting that he was hinting at knowing me better than I thought most people did.
"My question is...why break up?"
"It's pretty much like you said. His dreams and aspirations mattered, and mine didn't. He really thought I was going to just sit pretty and be a basketball wife while he won championships and did what he wanted to do. He wanted a support system and while he got away with it while we were in high school...I had to take a hard look at how the future would turn out. I didn't like it."
"So, what did you want to do?"
"Get into journalism." I blushed, wondering why my heart was tripping over itself, "I don't know whether it'll be print or broadcast yet...mainly sports but I'm in the mix of figuring it out."
DeMarcus grinned, "You'd do good at both."
My heart warmed even more. I learned in that moment that if his insults upset me to no end, his praises did the exact opposite. You would think he was feeding me catnip. I felt my face flush and tried to turn away from him, but I couldn't and for some reason I wouldn't. I didn't understand why or how the conversation was even flowing as easily as it was, but it felt good. It was cathartic even.
It was a long time coming.
"That's the problem!" I laughed, "I can do both. So, which one?"
"What do you love?"
His question was simple and that made everything else simple.
"Sports. I love sports."
"So, do that, then. Simple." He smirked, "No use into getting into some shit just because you're good at it. Just do what you love and get paid. I'd watch your annoying ass report how badly the Knicks are playing."
"You would, huh? Like you didn't know how to move the fuck out of the way when I asked you?"
DeMarcus chuckled, remembering how insufferable he was not even a year ago.
"I admit. I wasn't shit back then. I apologize for that." He said, somberly, "You wouldn't pay me any attention otherwise though."
I was shocked into silence. Suddenly, I remembered another mystery I needed solved.
"So...when you said I was the smartest girl in school..."
"I told you to figure it out." He tossed back, "I think it's obvious by now though."
"Illuminate me anyway. I'm enjoying this."
DeMarcus sucked his teeth, "I wanted your attention, Lichelle. It took me some time to realize that for about three years plus the stupidest thing I'd ever done, was chase the most perfect girl for me away from me off some superficial bullshit. Every other girl I got with after in that school was a consolation prize. I don't give a fuck about a snickers bar or that you ever talked sideways to any bitch that I was with. My day wasn't right if I didn't fuck with you one time. Nothing I did ever changed which is why after all that time it shocked me that you didn't see that I just...wanted you."
My heart stopped. At least that's what I felt like it had done. The world as I knew it stopped on its axis at the probable time of 5:36 PM on a Wednesday evening. I found myself licking my lips and I suddenly wished I had a fan.
I looked into DeMarcus' eyes and he looked back into mine and I knew every word that he spoke was the unadulterated truth. I opened and closed my mouth, unsure of how to respond. I again picked up my tea just to give my shaking hands something to do.
"Finally shocked your hyper ass into silence, huh? I should've said all that a couple of years ago."
"You should have! You would've gotten farther."
I was surprised at my outburst and wondered why I was upset. I kept replaying that night over and over in my brain in that moment and sighed. I remembered being past upset that we even had that fight. In my mind it'd been stupid, and it'd been senseless but the last words he said had never left me. I'd been even more upset with him deep down that he never supplied a backstory for his thought process. The whole time, I'd been dating John and squashing down any feelings that I had for DeMarcus Cousins. Had he approached me correctly...
"Don't do that." He cut into my thoughts, "You were with him. I wasn't about to put myself out there like that."
"I get that. Still, it didn't stop you from bothering me every moment you could. I lost more than a couple of hats to your dumbass."
DeMarcus chuckled, "That's on you. I still got your Bulls fitted in my room."
It was then that the conversation organically took every turn that I never thought it would. I remembered hearing that DeMarcus broke up with Davida behind that but hearing his first-hand account made me a little smug that it was me that inspired the breakup. I kind of laughed...far as I knew we hated each other. When I questioned why he'd chosen the major he chose, I was delighted to realize that his helping Ketara and Louis sparked the fire in him and,
"Arguing with you on a regular basis made me realize I like to argue."
He shrugged and I was taken in again more by his smile. I found myself smiling back and being delighted.
How our conversation took us from Starbucks and through Union Square park I couldn't tell you. I just knew one moment we were packing our bags and the next moment we were walking side by side, still talking. It was like somebody waved a magic wand and there we were.
It finally got quiet between us and the moment caused me to look up at DeMarcus again and blush. He stepped into my space and looked back down at me. His hands raised up to caress my cheek and the movement felt natural...like he'd done it a million times before.
"Same time, same place tomorrow?"
I nodded. He chuckled.
"Yeah, I was stupid as hell back then...you're beautiful, Lichelle."
"Nice of you to admit it..." I murmured, hoping he didn't hear the sound of my heartbeat,
The blood was rushing away from my head, I was sure. Nothing was making sense, but everything did at the same time. My body shut down and I wasn't sure if I was in duress or at complete peace with what happened next.
DeMarcus leaned in and his lips found mine. We had connected once, twice. On the third time I granted his tongue access and it tangled with my own. His hands snaked around my waist and he pulled me in closer. My arms rested on his upper arms lightly and I reveled in the strength I felt in them. My bag had hit the floor, but the impact still wasn't enough to tear me away from the moment. It was everything I wanted and everything I needed. I was shook at how natural we fit the other. If anybody had walked up on us, they'd assume we'd done this several thousand times before. If only they knew...
Again, the thought that if anybody saw us went across my brain again and it hit me a third time that I was kissing DeMarcus Cousins in the middle of Union Square Park with my ex's engagement ring on. It hit me that I was kissing Shakyra Smalls' ex-boyfriend as if she never existed. Once it all hit me, I pulled away slowly and regrettably picked up my bag off the floor. I mumbled that I had to go and before he could grab me again, I ran like hell in the other direction.
Fast Forward...
"Sis...I'm fuckin' up."
Justine sat up and sat next to me on my bed. I laid it all out there for her. I was grateful to have a friend in Justine. She didn't judge me and neither did she placate me. She just listened and honestly that was what I needed most in that moment. I didn't know my right from my left after that moment but one thing I did know was easily...
I wanted more.
DeMarcus Cousins
It was two days later, and I was searching for Lichelle Andrews in the daytime with a flashlight. Class was coming up soon and I was starting to get frantic. I was annoyed with myself because never in the history of ever did I get frantic over a chick. I've been through a couple of emotions but frantic wasn't one of them.
Every text that I sent went unanswered. I wasn't sure whether she was upset with me or what and the mystery pretty much killed me. I didn't even know why I kept putting myself through the punishment, but I needed some kind of closure if she wanted nothing to do with me. I needed to hear it from her mouth so that I could move on. For some reason however, after that kiss...
Fuck. I honestly don't feel the same. When I leaned in, I can't lie...my world felt complete. Like I walked in the house after a long day and she was waiting for me. Like watching her slide a plate of food in front of me and telling me to eat with an annoyed look on her face. Like her screams when we made love...although that didn't happen yet.
I worked on the essay with a fervor I never had with any other English paper. I wanted the excuse to sit with her some more but honestly, after talking with her once I had all I needed to know. I wrote, to both get my mind off of calling her and to calm myself down. I ran a hand over my face as Trevante walked in. Catching the despondent look on my face, he chuckled.
"Fuck you laughin' at, nigga?"
"Your sorry ass. I told you to tell sis something way back when. Now you looking nuts."
I flipped him off and continued to write at my desk. I wanted to put the paper through the shredder, but I was going for the gold at this point. If she didn't want to talk to me face-to-face, this essay was just going to have to do it.
The memory of her lips on mine made me lick my own lips. I huffed, again looking over at Trevante who's chuckles filtered through my mind every now and again.
"Shut your ass up. You still letting Shakyra run around all willy-nilly. You can't judge me."
"I mean...we have an understanding. When we're both ready-which she isn't far as I know-we'll see what's up. At present time, I'm chilling."
"I guess so, nigga. I know you cool and think you got that in the bag but it's quite a few niggas here that's eyeing her. Louis' homeboy already put the hit out just to let you know."
Trevante again shrugged, "It's not my business what she does with the next one. When she's ready, when I'm ready we'll see what's up."
I grinned, admiring the confidence of my friend. I wasn't sure if their loyalty to each other was that strong or if Trevante truly believed that Shakyra belonged to him no matter the circumstance. I didn't know how he was as peaceful as he was over the whole situation. I wished I could borrow some of his zen because I already knew the first guy to step in Lichelle's face after two days ago, I was more than likely going to step in. It wasn't like she didn't know my feelings at this point. So, anything she let happen from that point forward, she'd have to grin and bear it.
A phone call would have been nice, though.
A knock came at the door five minutes later. Trevante jumped up to answer it and I again heard his chuckle. Lichelle's voice filled my room and I felt my body stiffen at the awareness of her presence.
"Hey, can I talk to your friend for a second?"
"Yeah. We were just talking about you."
Lichelle half laughed, "I'm sure it was nothing but bad."
As she stepped in, Trevante darkly chuckled again. I wanted to get up and knock his head off but stayed calm.
"Well I was saying good things about you. I got nothing but love for you, sis."
That time she laughed for real and I was reminded of my jealousy rearing its ugly head years ago. The last time that happened Trevante and I actually fought. I stood up from my desk, thinking about kicking the both of them out when my friend disappeared quietly. I almost thought I imagined him, and we were just talking. I sat on my bed and stared at her in the eye. When she was missing, I'd been upset. Now that she was standing in front of me, I wanted to shake her so she could understand how much she got on my nerves.
"What the fuck do you want?" I snapped,
She crossed her arms and rose a brow, "No, it's what the fuck do you want? I came here to talk since you been blowing me up for the longest."
"Blowing you up? I tried to talk to you for two days and you weren't trying to talk! Now I'm done."
"If you were done you would've told me to leave when you knew I was at the door with Tre. Now what the fuck do you want, DeMarcus?"
I blew out a breath, wondering if I felt like talking anymore. I also wondered what it was that made me just want to fuss and fight with the woman in front of me. I ran a hand down my face and then looked her in the eye.
"Why you been ignoring me? We only kissed. You would've thought we actually had sex the way you're acting."
"You forgot that your ex-girlfriend is one of my best friends, right?"
I shrugged, "No, I didn't. Honestly, I don't care. That shit was two years ago, and I didn't even get to see her naked. It's almost like we didn't date if you asked me."
Lichelle shook her head in disbelief.
"Still...that shouldn't have happened. I don't even know what was going through my mind."
I watched her wringing her hands. I admired her frame in the yellow two-piece outfit she wore. The top was cropped, and the skirt was long, almost hitting her ankles. She wore some white strappy heels with them. It was all I could do not to snatch her up and show her just how sexy I found her.
"Why are you staring at me like I'm something to eat, DeMarcus?"
Her question threw me out of my thoughts. I smirked and then reached out, snatching her into my arms easily. Lichelle squealed and I groaned as I wrapped my arms around her waist. I felt her body go soft and smirked.
"Because you are."
Lichelle exhaled hard but I felt her heart beating against me from where I held her.
"You're so grimy. You don't even care that I'm your ex's best friend?"
"You don't care either. You just don't want to admit it. Besides, she has Ketara left if she decides to act stupid. Plus, you still got Kofi."
"Still...all you really want is pussy. I know it'll just put you over the edge to know you got some from me after all the-"
"-I'm a grown ass man. If I only want pussy, I'll say so." I snapped, "I just told you I got your fuckin' fitted in my room and all you really think I want is pussy?"
Annoyed as I was, I was reaching up to caress her face again. She was flushed and she was beautiful. Looking into her eyes I felt myself get weak. Before I could open my mouth to confess that much, Lichelle's mouth had landed on top of mine again. I groaned. I decided to enjoy the attention, because I wasn't sure whether I'd get the same attention again when she decided to walk out of the door. I knew we didn't come to an agreement or find any resolution. The fact of the matter was that I was pretty sure that Shakyra might feel a kind of way. Still...it was two years ago. I feel like if I were Wendell then this definitely would've been all kinds of messed up. However, messed it up it seemed; I wasn't going to pussy foot about any of it.
I wanted her.
People generally liked to make the parallel between us and Louis and Ketara. There might be some comparisons but honestly...there were a few things different. Louis had gone through life subconsciously wanting this girl. His every move was under the guise that he thought he disliked her for whatever reason. I made a lot of my movements, knowing that I liked Lichelle. It's a different kind of torture to have knowledge of your feelings but being unable to do something about it.
Now, I could. At this point I didn't see the point of her moving the way she was. I didn't care about Shakyra's thoughts. I cared even less about John. The only person that I cared about was the one who was kissing me like she been wanted to kiss me too.
I wanted this all the time and I was self-assured that I was going to have it.