Chapter V: The Hero & The Villain
(Executive produced by Agent
)The final buzzer, the adulation, the confetti, the cutting of the net, the conference trophy, and the big ticket. I remember these moments from the first time as if it was yesterday, and it never felt any better before than now. We, the Washington Huskies, defeated UCLA in convincing fashion to be the top dog of the conference. Seeing my teammates put the work in to help get us to this point, it was gratifyingly satisfying. Even if I still had to be that guy, knowing that it wasn't just all me, it solidified my decision as the right decision coming to Washington. I was proud of my-self, the boys, and the staff. Tonight, we celebrate, but not before I made the next move abundantly clear to the world during the post game interview.
"Tonight is great! We came here and did what we set out to do. We pulled up, made our shots count, now we're punching our ticket for the big dance! And I want to make it perfectly clear to everyone watching, ESPN, CBS, Youtube, whatever, last year I called my shot online and cashed it. And it's that time of the year again, and I'm calling it now: Washington Huskies taking Natty home, so don't even dream of going to Houston to be anything but runner-up."
Some would call it tacky and tasteless to the competition, but I always wanted the brightest light. This dance had to be the dance to remember. History was going to be made one way or the other.
"Good game! Good game! Good game everyone!" Coach Hopkins applauded. "A+ all around for everybody! That's how you apply pressure and keep your foot on their necks, way to go out there! Now, listen up... Congratulations to all of you, you've secured your spot in Washington Basketball's history as the 18th team to get to the dance. Now all that's in question is: How long do we dance for? We've came this far, how are your feet feeling? Cause mine feels damn good right now! I can dance all night long if you ask me. This energy I'm feeling, I want it running through all of you. Stay motivated, stay hungry, stay excited. We're not in over our heads, we've earned this ticket, and we've earned this shot for the national title!"
The locker room was rocking in celebration. Though there was still much work to do, every moment we could get, we relished in it. After we got cleaned up, Coach Hopkins let us rock out for the remainder of the night, so we hit the strip , clamoring for food. We ended up at Herb & Rye, on Sahara Ave, just off the strip and got down to business. A nice little dig, wasn't our element, but the food was on point.
"Yo, man, you really think we can go all the way? That stunt you pulled ain't for show, is it?" Blake asked me.
"Nah dude, I meant everything I said. We're going to Houston and taking Natty home with us."
"Amen to that!" Rashad shouted. I promptly stood up with my glass to raise a toast.
"My fellow Huskies. We traveled, we combated with the best the season had to offer. We had our share of wounds, but more often than not, we stood tall. And we're going to continue to stand tall until we've beaten the best the tournament has to offer. Because we're the best. No one, and I mean absolutely no one, will stand between us and our glory. Let us toast to that."
"Okay Leonardo DiCaprio, you've already made your acting debut", Glen joked, getting us all to laugh.
"Aye, this ain't no act, family. I came all the way from Pennsylvania for two things: to get better and be the best", I touted. "I mean, we just won the freaking Pac-12. We are The Div. And it's up to the Huskies to defend it next season."
"You staying another year with us? Go another run?" Rashad asked, basically putting me on the spot.
"I thought we were here to celebrate? Not politic."
"We are, but we're all kinda wondering what you're gonna do. Could least let us in."
"Honestly, I don't know yet. I could've gone pro last summer, but I wanted to experience west coast basketball. I'm still not sure if the time is right. I like what we got going on right now, but not all of us will be here next year. Some of us will graduate, some will transfer, who knows. Everything is a toss up. Only thing I know for certain, Rashad, is we're going to Houston and taking Natty."
"You gave Penn State their first Natty, you think you can bring Washington their first?" Thomas asked.
"Yeah, I can. But fortunately for me, I'm not doing this alone like I was at Penn State. I got you guys... You all put in as much as I do, especially our sniper over here who's all quiet, eating up all the food right from under us, right Christian?"
Christian pauses his indulgence, looking up at us and smiling.
"Not only is he good for three, he eats for three", Glen added.
As the team enjoyed themselves in banter, I stepped away to pay the water bill. As I made my way back, without looking where I'm going, I bumped into this black haired woman that was departing from the bar.
"Pardon me, my apologies- wait, Shantelle?"
"Hey, Hakeem!", excitingly, Shantelle jumps all over me for a hug. I hugged her back to make it look normal to keep the attention down.
"What's up? What're you doing here?"
"Nothing much, just enjoying a weekend with my girls. Oh, Tonya, this is Hakeem. Hakeem, Tonya."
"Pleasure to meet you", I shook her hand she extended.
"Pleasure's mine. I've heard stories about you."
"Hopefully they're pleasant ones."
"Indeed they are, indeed they are." Tonya gave me a once over, making it obvious of her delight.
"It's just you two ladies here in LV?"
"No", Shantelle replied. "There's two more of us, but we left them at the telly."
"That's no fun. Thought girls trip was all inclusive."
"You'd think that's what the brochure would detail, but not tonight. So, me and Tonya just here having a few drinks, not looking to get into any trouble."
"Why I get the feeling that trouble is all y'all looking for", I joked.
"Well, that depends on what kind of trouble it is. I might be swayed." Shantelle played on. She had that look in her eye with her luscious lips cocking a smile. Her skin tight red catsuit exposed every curve on your body. My eyes ate her up and she welcomed every bit of it. "You looked good tonight, I caught your game. Congrats on winning the conference title."
"Glad you did. Hope you liked what you saw out there. But all credit goes to those boys over there, all I did was score a few baskets. But you're looking mighty good your damn self. I'd say you came here with the intent of attention."
"Yeah, I know, I got your attention, eating it up", Shantelle rebutted as she gave a twirl and a little twerk.
"Damn, and the machismo on blast. Where you get all this confidence?"
"I don't know, I am a Miami girl. Or I could've gotten it from you." she winked.
"Yeah, definitely."
"Uh, uhm, so y'all two going to get a room or what? Y'all just over here in front of me eating each other up like y'all the only two here." Tonya interjected. "At least buy me a drink Mr. Hakeem, for my jealousy."
I complied and bought Tonya a second round of what she was having along with two glasses of tequila for Shantelle and I. "So Ms. Tonya, how about we quench that jealousy? I like for you to meet my boys and parlay, they'll get you right."
Tonya looks over there wait, seeing them talking among themselves. "They cute, but too young looking. Besides, I'm not that kind of girl, you insult me."
"You're not asked to be that kind of girl love, but hey, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. I'm just offering you a bit of a good time of your choosing. One of them over there might just be "him"."
Shantelle nearly cracks up trying to hold in her laughter as Tonya caught wind of it, presuming my words to be lies.
"Uh uh, see, nah, I can't deal with that trife. Y'all gone head, I'ma just sit here and drink my little drinky drink."
Shantelle grabs my hand, pulling me in close to whisper in my ear, "take me back to my hotel and I'll show you why this outfit belongs on the floor."
"Tonya, it's been real." I nodded and took the lead towards the exit. Just before we exited, I made a quick stop to where the team were sitting. "Y'all, don't wait up on me."
"Yooo, what's this? You leaving us dry like that?" Rashad asked.
"I don't know what to tell you fam, I got practice."
"Pract- really bro?"
"Yo, you see that shorty at the end of the bar, in the silver dress? That's her friend, handle my light for me." With that, Shantelle and I made our exit.
"Yo! Keem!... Man, That dude is always abandoning us." Rashad insinuated.
"Yeah... But you seen that girl with him? Bad." Glen complimented. "I don't even blame him, he stay with a bad one."
"But wasn't he hooking up with that other chick at school? Uhhh, the one with the white hair?" Rashad asked.
"I don't know", Blake says. "But excuse me fellas, think I'ma go say hello to that piece of chocolate down over there."
"Damn, you too?" Thomas shot at Blake.
"Hey, someone got to take one for the team", Blake shrugged as he then proceed to make his way over to Tonya, introducing himself.
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Two Hours Later...
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There was no time wasted getting in the mood in the Uber back to her hotel. Cuddled up in the backseat, hands started roaming. Luckily, it wasn't a long ride to where we needed to be, so no sex tape for the driver. We make it up to the 8th floor where her room resided next to the girls' she mentioned earlier that stayed behind. Without checking in, we tended to our business. Without much left to be and hesitation, things got hot and heavy with the make out session that followed by clothes hitting the floor. Shantelle was right, that outfit does look better on the floor. Just like our first hook-up, things went accordingly that had Shantelle receiving "Beats By Keem". And I gotta say, her bed game is crazy as she definitely blurred the line between passion and intensity. She's a different animal while shaking the covers and banging the headboard. You can hear the laughter from the other side of the wall from her friends, but after a while I was finally able to tame the beast and her insatiable lust. Or was it mine that got me here in the first place?...Two Hours Later...
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"Hakeem..."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"What is this, that we're doing?"
"What you mean?" I asked while putting my clothes on. I kind of knew what she was hinting at, but I wanted to hear the words from her.
"This... Like, I don't want you to think that I'm some type of hoe that's easy to get in bed with... We spent all that time in Miami getting real heavy, I'm just a little confused on where this is going."
"Shantelle, despite your past, never had I once thought of you as some type of sleaze. That don't even get me off, I got standards when it comes to women. But I like you."
"I like you too. I'm just worried about us catching feelings if one of us is not ready or whatever-"
I promptly cut her off to reassure her, "Hey, stop worrying. I like you. You're cool, you're fun, we talk almost all the time, we have deep intellects, you're more than just someone I want to fuck. But for the sake of things, let's just keep casual for now."
"What? You want to be friends with benefits?"
"If that's what you want to call it. I simply like you, I respect you, and I dig the mutual we have between us." I sit on the bed next to her, palming her hand that sat on her lap. "But if you feel this is out of your control, then we can stop. I won't hold it against you." I proceeded to kiss her on the forehead then take my leave from aside her. There was moments of silence as I stand to finish dressing. After grabbing my phone, I turned my attention towards her. The look on her face showed doubt, confusion, a touch of sadness. I couldn't read why, but clearly her mind weighed heavy.
"Hakeem, I just don't want to get hurt in all this. And I don't want you to feel that I'm trying to ride you cause you're a basketball star... I just... Just give me some type to figure this out, for myself. Please?"
"Yeah, yeah, not a problem. I understand what you need... So, you know, you got my number, it's not going to change. Just, hit me up when you're ready to talk..."
"Okay..."
After another second, I turned my attention to the door, making my exit. I wish I had something to say, or at least the right words to put her at ease about things, but I was going to respect her decision and move on. I had to re-channel my focus back on basketball with the big tournament literally around the corner. But just as I opened the door, I was gated by two women by my surprise, both armed with phones held in front of their faces. Instantly, both phone's flashes going off taking snaps of me in the room with Shantelle, whom remained half naked with the sheets partially covering her.
"Yess, girl! We got his ass!" One woman said.
"Photos of a future basketball star who's caught leaving a hotel room of some woman? #bagsecured", the other strange woman said. It quickly dawned on me that these two were the friends of Shantelle next door. Looking back at her, Shantelle's face read one of shock and appalled.
"Word? Bet..." I forced my path through the two shiesty women who blocked the door way, power walking my ass out of that situation. Last thing I care to remember hearing was Shantelle's voice shouting, "What the fuck, Rhonda!? Why the hell would y'all do that?? Are y'all crazy??"
Apparently someone is...
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Sunday Selection...
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Sunday Selection...
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The team and I got back to campus the following morning, Sunday, and today was Sunday Selection. All 64 teams who're participating in the NCAA tournament were going to find out which region they were going to settle in and figure out how tough their road to the Final Four was going to be. Washington looked like they had the easy road to journey. Our biggest threats were either Oregon, Louisville or Michigan. With Louisville and Michigan kicking off the first round, they were a must watch as it would narrow it down to just either one of them and Oregon. Me on the other hand, I slept half the day away, not getting up until around 5 in the even. Rashad had needed to make some quick runs around the city for his family, and I didn't mind helping out. About 5 hours later, we finished up and headed back to campus. Unbeknownst, something nefarious was at hand...
From a distance, I recognized Elexis' voice, talking to someone I've never seen around, and it seemed serious.
"I told you no already, I'm not doing that shit."
"Come on, why are you being like this all of a sudden. Since when you've been such a bitch owing favors?"
"Excuse me? Fuck you! Don't ever talk to me like that!"
"Whatever, calm your tits. You still owe me money for the last couple of scores. I've been playing nice ball with you. You know I know powerful people in places your little pretty head can't fathom. Do you really want to upset me?"
"Forget it, Bryant. I'm not doing it. What about Tiffany? You remember the girl that you nearly killed with your bullshit experimental drugs? No, I'm done with this shit, fuck off!"
Bryant grew real tired of Elexis' refusal, grabbing her arm and yanking her towards him. "I didn't say you can leave bitch, you owe me."
"I'ma owe you an ass whooping if you don't take your hands off her, you creep!" I spouted as I rushed to Elexis to prevent things going any further.
"And who the fuck are you?"
"Don't worry about who I am, be concerned with what I'll do if you don't step the fuck off", I said as I closed in on him.
"Oh.. Oh, yeah, I know you. You're the one everyone's talking about. good ol' Hakeem Marion. Star player for the basketball team. Ladies man with the girls on campus. You're the big shot around here. I heard about your little escapade with that girl over there at the party. Tell me... Is she as tender as the other guys say-"
It was at that moment, Bryant's murmur was cut shot. The pocket knife that Bryant had stealthily procured in his hand had dropped to the floor as Rashad had stepped in from the shadows like a theft in the night and cold cocked the bastard before I could. "That freight train that just hit you, that was me..."
Bryant laid before our feet unconscious, and none of us could tell if the man was dead or alive.
"Yo, nice shot. But you didn't have to step in and get your hands dirty."
"Nah, it's cool Hakeem. I've been looking for this bastard for a minute, after what he did to Tiffany.. Nah."
"Tiffany? Who's that?"
"Shit... Shit, shit, shit!", Elexis started to panic.
"Hey, what's wrong, this fucker didn't do anything to you, right?" I asked.
"Do you guys know who that is?"
"Not to my knowledge, no. Shad looks like he really don't care. Who is this guy and why was he all on you?"
"Fuck, guys, I had this under control... He's the son of some politician here who funds the school."
"Okay? So his pops got money, that doesn't mean he gets to be an ass to you. What's the real story Elexis?"
"I-I-I can't right now. Fuck! This night can't get any worse! Shit, I'm screwed..."
"Hey, get a hold of yourself. Everything is going to be alright, but you really gotta tell us what's going on here."
"Please, Hakeem, just help him. We can't leave him here like this."
"Yo, Keem, I'm not sure this man is moving."
"You hit him that hard???"
"I don't think I meant to, I just acted on it."
"Fuck, you should've stayed outta this bro."
"No way. I told you why I did it. Plus, I'm not going to let you sully your hands on this dirt bag and jeopardize your future."
"You say that as if you don't have one", I rebutted.
"Nah, I'm not going to the NBA. That's all you. Whatever happens happens with this, I'll take the heat."
"Shit, man..." I started looking around to check if anyone was nearby or coming this way. The coast seem cleared at this time, giving that it was past 11pm. "Over there. There's a bench over there in the dark, we'll sit him there."
Rashad and I carried Bryant's unconscious body over to the bench that had no fixed lighting around, so it was a good enough cover for the time being. "Hopefully he comes to on his own."
"You think he'll be alright?" Elexis asked.
"Damn him. Who knew what this fucker might've done had we not got here in time."
Elexis overwhelmed with emotions threw her arms around my neck tightly, sobbing in my chest as she thanked me.
"Yo, guys, I think someone is walking this way. Let's bail", Rashad notioned. We three hit the bank of the path and routed to the dormitory.
"Listen, anyone ask questions, we just got here from the east wing. we don't know what happened over there. No commotion, no noise. Lets keep that story", I vowed.
We all came into agreement and parted ways. I walked Elexis to her dorm, making sure she makes it in safe. This was the turn of events I had not envisioned for myself, but deep down, I was glad I was able to her in need. I'm sure Rashad holds that sentiment too, but I can't help but think of the worst to come of this situation. I've been around bodies before. I've been in this pressure before, only difference is this is one I couldn't run from even if I wanted to. I'm not a street kid anymore, I'm not that kid in South Carolina dealing dope. Now, I got basketball. I got dreams, hopes and aspirations. My reputation and my family's honor. All of that was on the line, and the last thing I needed to do was fuck it up...
bro busting sime cheeks & then witnessing a stabbing. Long night.
![[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51066730087_8f014a0403_o.gif[/img]](./images/smilies/51066730087_8f014a0403_o.gif "Jonesy")
