It sucks to be an only child.

"To the window to the wall" Jordy points to the wall with the crowd. "To the sweat drip down my balls!" Jordy cups his hand over his lips to prepare for his favorite part.

I tilt my head back and let out a laugh at the liquor electrifying his system.

He such a light weight.

I'm so thankful for him. He is the little brother I always wanted but couldn't have.  My lips curl up into a smile as I watch Jordy bops his head to Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys.

"Come on Jaylan!" Jordy bumps me playfully.

Smirking, I glance down at my half empty cup, as my mind tunes out Jordy skeet skeeting.

I am truly grateful for Uncle Steve stepping in as my legal guardian after my mom passed away and PJ left. I used to believe that I could handle life on my own, but Uncle Steve proved me wrong. He made me realize that no one should go through life alone. Perhaps that's why Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve decided to foster so many kids in Baltimore City.

After that, I had siblings... lots of 'em.

But one thing for sure I appreciate the most is having brothers.

Uncle Steve said, 'Once a brother, always a brother, no matter the distance, no matter the difference, and no matter the issue.' He taught me the value of brotherhood when he coached me in his youth basketball team.

To say the least, I didn't care about brotherhood, considering I thought it was a sissy concept. But I had come to the reality of it when I wasn't invited to Sean's birthday party or over to Josh's house to play PS3 with the team.

In that moment, a shift changed in me that I can't do life alone no matter how hard I try. It's ingrained in me to just do life without anyone's help. Accepting others is a constant battle I deal with on the daily.

The following year, I was different, and all my teammates saw it. I didn't want to feel left out again. Nobody likes to be alone. That was the first time Uncle Steve told me he was proud of me.

I take a quiet breath in and feel warmth in my chest, thinking about his cheeky grin making his mustache move up and down.

I have to call him.

I nod rhythmically to 'No Hands' transitioning surveying Terrapin's Turf. As I cast a quick glance towards Jordy, I can't help but notice the sheer delight on his face as he indulges in a delightful conversation with Tessa, the mastermind behind the flawless scoreboard operation according to Jordy.

"He is in over his head." Marcus grumbles.

"Let him have his moment." I chuckle, thinking back to when Jordy moved to Baltimore from PG County.

If anybody is from Maryland, you know people in PG county it just weird as fuck. I remember when Jordy came into the gym with his dad. He was scrawny, quiet, and looked like a dork.

Still is

But when he spoke, he lit up the room with his comedy and wit.

All of us were curious how this little kid was going to ball, especially with his short height. But I remember what Uncle Steve said, no matter the difference or the issue, there was no such thing as a rookie to Uncle Steve. Uncle Steve treated Jordy as if he played ball with us for four years.

Despite how terrible Jordy was, he was one of us. He got better though.

My lips curl up taking a sip of my Remy Martin and thinking about how many times he got a foul for double dribbling. Still does it and I wanted to kick his ass tonight. We are college for fuck sake. He is definitely getting a meme for that one.

After Jordy, my brotherhood was Jahday, Marquis,Malik, Trayvon, (rest in peace, man), Big Mike, and KJ. I did not see them as 'rookies' but a brother because of Uncle Steve's motto, no matter the difference or the issue.

However, when I got to college, this whole rookie shit started. There was no brotherhood; therefore, there was no team. No matter how hard coach T tried, I was on the outside.

I was harassed.

I was bullied.

I was made to do things that I was never taught to do but it formulated my reputation to this day. It was toxic.

Whoever treats rookies and newbies like shit should be kicked off the team. That is not brotherhood.

No matter how ornery they are.

No matter how stubborn they are.

No matter how cocky they are.

No matter if you want to kick their as-

"Ladies, this is the dream team." Hollis, our brother, my pest, roommate, and rookie gestures his hands in a playful way to us. They harmoniously laugh at his white boy charm.

When all the bad seeds didn't make it to the NBA and moved away, I was determined to turn around the team's character in my Senior year and show what true brotherhood was. After the previous asses divided us, not too many people were on board at first. So I did something I normally don't do, open myself up.

I learn sometimes you can't let everyone know your pain but I clung on Uncle Steve's words no matter the difference. Coach T saw a drastic change as we put aside our divisions and worked together last year. We were so close to winning the NCAA last year but fell short.

After a heartbreaking Final Four, we all went to Old Town Ink and got ourselves tattoos because no matter the difference, no matter the issue we are brothers.

Hollis came in this year, after being hazed for too long at NYU and the bullshit with his parents. We welcomed him with no issue. He thought we were in some cult shit with the same tattoo but without a doubt in his mind because of the absence of bullying, he got one too.

He screamed like a girl too.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mister NBA star."  A voice as smooth as velvet manages to grab my undivided attention. And there she is, Bree Gregory, commanding my gaze with her irresistible charm. She's not just a pretty face but her confidence as president of the Black Student  Union.

"S'up Bree." My eyes did a quick scan at her attire definitely dress to impress and peaks my interest at her with her tight red corset top and black tight on hips like second skin.

"Nice game tonight."  Bree leans forward giving me good view of her tits.

"Thanks, beautiful. I'm glad to see you out here."

Bree lips twitch as she swipes her box braids to the side. "You use all those words to every girl you see on campus."

I wink, "Just you Bree."

"Right. Well I'll see you around." She spins her black boots. I put my cup down. "Aye wait let me get your number."

Bree smirks at me looking at me up and down. "And do what with it?" She arches her brow and reaches in her pocket to grab her phone.

"What you think?" I toss back and taking it.

"So selfish Jaylan." Jordy grumbles proving his point from this morning.

"What's he talking about?" Bree inquires as she nibbles her lower lip at me.

"I got your number he didn't." I throw my head back and laugh as I finish typing my number. I take a selfie with an added touch making Bree tut at me. 

"I can't stand you." Bree playfully presses her lips and rolls her eyes.

"I hope to hear from you Bree Gregory." I sip more on my Remy Martin.

Bree looks at me through her eyelashes. "Maybe." As she walks away switching her hips.

Damn she got an ass. Can't wait.

I glance over to see Hollis who wraps his arms around the waists of two gorgeous, Brown skinned women as if he'd just won the NCAA tournament.

Which we are expecting to do this year with no setbacks.

"I can't babysit him anymore.'' By Marcus' tired expression, his patience is wearing thin then chuckles.

"We promised." I grin wide.

"Couldn't we take him to like green turtle." Marcus takes a sip of his fourth cup of Bacardi tonight. He rest his arms on the concrete bars that barricade us between the crowd.

"Eh, this more entertaining to see his pride get knock down." My lips twitch at the moment where one of the girls shift Hollis attention with her finger to look at her and not her big ass tits.

"True" Marcus lips curl up.

We watch one girl whisper something into Hollis' ear. He defiantly smiles while she pushes some of her hair towards her left shoulder. She glances at me and smirks. I shoot her a wink to let her know what's up.

"He is going to say something wrong; just watch." Jordy chuckles, and on cue, the girl shoves him off her and, taking her friend by the hand, walks away.

"Hollis!" Jordy throws his head back and laughs.

All Hollis could do was rub the back of his neck with a smug grin. "They'll be back" He smirks and takes a sip of his Jack Daniels.

He places his plastic cup to the side, leaning on the back of the white concrete painted barrier.

"Relax, man, they will come to us. See, look," Marcus' eyes lock with no other than Faith Harrison, the angelic being out of the fiery pom pom demons.

She is the only one who actually wants to be a cheerleader for the game, for supporting us and the respect is unreal. However, under the angelic, beautiful brown skin face, she is a jersey chaser too.

"Here she comes." Marcus cackles and I suck my teeth.

As Ava struts towards us, the crowd parts like the Red Sea, unable to resist her magnetic presence. But let's be real, it's not just her, it's the whole squad that commands attention. However, Ava, with her main character syndrome, effortlessly steals the spotlight.

I can't help but smirk as Ava gets closer, my tongue grazing my bottom lip, savoring the taste of Remy Martin. I can't deny that she looks stunning tonight, her silver rhinestone dress hugging her curves in all the right places. With each confident step and the click of her heels, they assert their dominance, claiming their territory.

"Hey there, boys," Ava purrs, her eyes briefly scanning the squad before locking onto me. "Jaylan."

She sways her hips seductively as she approaches me, her perfectly manicured hand grazing my chest as she glides past. As she bends down to peek into her pink clutch bag, her dress rides up, revealing her thighs and capturing the attention of my teammates.

I shake my head at her desperately trying to piss me off. I gaze down to meet lustful eyes radiating 'fuck me.' I twist my lips to the side and possessively glare at her. With a quick swat, I connect my hand to her ass. She nibbles her lower lip in return, like a brat waiting for a quickie in the bathroom.

"Later Jay," she winks biting her lower lip.

Her favorite place. That bathroom is nasty as fuck but doesn't stop me getting that high.

She tugs her dress down, bends up slowly, and sexually, giggling and awaiting for my reaction. Internally rolling my eyes, my gaze remains heated.

If I don't leave with Bree, I'll just settle for one more night with her.

"What are you doing here?" I arch my brow.

"What are you doing here?" She challenges. She stands up straight and spins her heels, my pussy ass teammates look away instantly, as if she's Medusa, rather than as if they had been eye fucking her two seconds ago. 

She sweeps the crowd, envious of all the beautiful girls present tonight. Ava turns around and stands on her tippy toes to kiss the lobes of my ears, teething slightly. My hands creep down her back, but I stop because I know she's using her body to warn the girls here to back off.

"I didn't know you were going to be here," Ava playfully feels her hand across my chest, looking up at me.

"I thought you weren't here for my games, remember?" I hum.

She gapes her mouth a bit at my response before biting her lip.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ava closes the gap between us. My hands slide down the small of her back, but I stop mid-way, teasing her.

"Go get some shots." I nod my head towards the bar.

She sighs angrily and rolls her eyes as she looks at me. She shoots a backward glance at one of her acquaintances, whom she may harass.

"Kayla, go get some more shots and another Remy Martin," Ava demands.

When she mentions my drink, she grins up at me, puckering her lips as if I should be impressed by her abusive conduct toward her teammates. The quiet, younger girl couldn't be more than a freshman, probably eighteen. She timidly stops talking to Rashad, whose arms wrap around her waist, and walks to the bar with her head hung low.

Of course Rashad be all over that. Vanilla game, that's why his ass got benched tonight.

"That wasn't nice," tossing the last ice in my mouth and looking down at her.

"She's just a rookie," Ava insults Kayla and watches her order at the bar.

"You are a bitch," Faith chimes in, smiling at Marcus.

Faith's eyelashes flutter as he puts his arms around her waist and begins stealthy conservation in her ear. He better hope Fireball isn't coming tonight, or he is a dead man.

"Someone has to be," Ava resorts, poking a red nail in my chest that will look great wrapped around my cock tonight if I can't get any play tonight.

"No, not really." Faith shoots her comment down, which makes me chuckle.

"Whatever." Ava cuts her eyes at Faith, only to have them returned. She takes a deep breath and looks at me as if she's plotting to kill me for the shade thrown at her.

"How long are you staying here," Ava purrs at me, looping her finger with my chain.

"Late," I clip, scoping the bar.

"How late?" Ava questions, lowering her hands down my chest.

"Late enough for you not to wait up." Gritting my teeth and she slashes her eyes at me like a knife.

"Well, just know I'm coming home with you," she declares and pokes her finger at my chest. I catch it, making her whimper with a smirk.

"Is that so?" I hum, arching my brow.

"Oh." Her hand slowly moves down looping her finger on my belt loop. "I know so." Purring in my ear.

"We will see." Challenging her, Kayla comes back with a tray of drinks.

This is so wrong.

A drink tips over on the tray but Rashad helps her like the goody two shoes he is with no game.

Vanilla.

"You are one lazy ass, you know that," Rashad hints, handing my refilled Remy Martin.

"Thanks, Kayla." I acknowledge her and her face blushes up. "You're welcome Jaylan."

"You can go." Ava scoffs, takes a shot, and ushers her posse to take glass shots. Kayla grumbles under her breath focusing her eyes back at Rashad.

"I love this song. Let's dance!" Faith squeals, takes Marcus's hand and follows behind her with glee like he is about to get a lap dance at a strip club.

Migos blast the room and I bob my head to everyone's horribly singing drunk to.

I don't even know why I'm here tonight considering normally after the game Ava and I go back to my place watch some dumb Netflix show and fuck our feelings away.

But with her games this week I'm kind of glad we aren't together because she doesn't really know how to focus attention except herself.

Tonight win meant a lot but winning all the time doesn't satisfy because my number one cheerleader isn't in the stands.

Glancing at my half empty cup, the three cups of Remy is kicking in.

"Whoa! Who is that!" Hollis shouts over the music.

We all cut our eyes to the entrance to see Alexis, Ginger Demon, and the most beautiful woman I have EVER seen on this campus. My jaw drops open and, if my mouth isn't drooling, it is now.

God Damn.

"DIBBS!" Hollis claims, rushing to the bar to meet them.

We all groan because this is all going to end badly.

"He is about to get eaten up for dinner," Jordy jokes while we watch Hollis slide behind them smoldering Alexis and Gingerbread Eyes.

"She has to be a freshman." Xavier voice travels behind me.

"Nah." taking a sip, looking directly at her taking everything in.

She is coming home with me tonight.

"I would love to take her home with me." Jordy leans on the concrete bar.

"Way out your league." Rashad chuckle.

Not turning from my focus on her, "Out of yours too." Clapping back. 

He sucks his teeth "Like you have chance."

Without hesitation "Of course."

Observing Hollis is painful as he magic on Alexis, saying all the right things, but she is no fool.

She is so beautiful.

I can't get my eyes off sweet gingerbread eyes. She timidly scans the place, tucking herself closely to Alexis for protection. She slightly closes her leather jacket, blocking my view of what's under it.

Definitely not her scene.

"Who is that," Shawn, my teammate, steps away from his entertainment with his eyes staring in the same direction as mine.

"That's the hot waitress girl from my Birthday!" Jordy groans.

All my teammates and I continue gawk every piece of gingerbread head to toe. She glances at her phone and shifts her weight between her feet, probably ready to leave. She turns her attention back at Alexis, who is twirling hair in her finger and buying Hollis' dumb ass pick-up lines.

Hollis must say some dumb shit as usual, because Big Red points her long-manicured nail at him and tells him to get away. I chuckle, agreeing on the entertainment.

Rookie.

All he does was beam her a conceited grin and strikes up a discussion with Alexis while leaving sweet dimple face with wide eyes that scan around the place. 

I can't stop staring at her. I'm pretty sure every guy in here or around the bar is staring.

She is breathtaking.

Her glossy,curly, raven hair is the longest I'd ever seen, cascading down to touch the roundness of her ass.

Damn, the things I would do.

I bite my lower lip as my interest stirs further, enticed in by the way her white lace top hugs her round, full tits. The light, high-waisted jeans mold to her cinched-in waist and leave little to the imaginat-

"You're drooling," Ava clips, touching the corner of my lips. 

Ava looks over her shoulder to see who my attention was and thank God Big Red's body blocking her view ready to pounce on Hollis. I cut my eyes at her and took a sip of my drink. With a look back up, I groan when I see she is gone.

"Go do somethin. Damn," I grunt at Ava, who just smirks at me to get under my skin.

"And leave you with all these ugly whores, yeah right, Jaylan," she mocks me, and I roll my eyes.

I need to talk to her.

The DJ picks up the tempo to get everyone on the dance floor. I search the crowd, looking for her to get a dance and, with enough of the right moves, bring her home with me tonight. I watch as Marcus and Faith feel each other up on the dance floor amid the crowd but I only have one person in mind.

Where is she?

I take a sip of my drink when Ava starts to dance with her friend near me.

Time freezes when I lock eyes with gingerbread brown doe eyes framed with dark, thick lashes. Up close, her honey brown skin glistens in the blue lightning that paints her dimpled cheeks and dances around her. I take another sip of my drink as her eyes curiously take in me head to toe and my skin heats wherever she looks. My dick twitches when her full lower lip rolls inward, but she bites it and turns away from my hot gaze.

I'm getting a dance.

I start to move, but Ava stops me with her hand. My eyes blink a few times since I forgot she was here.

"Where do you think you are going?" She halts, places her palm on my chest, and looks up at me.

I ignore her and proceed onto the dance floor, effortlessly maneuvering through the crowd as women flock to me, eager to dance. Amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces that pass me by, I can't help but catch glimpses of her, illuminated by the enchanting lights. Her fingers gracefully glide through her hair, unknowingly drawing me into her captivating and irresistibly seductive aura. 

"Hey Jaylan," a chorus of girls purr my name.Her movements are so fluid, her body flowing like a stream of water. 

She exudes an air of carefree relaxation as her head tilts back and her lips part, as if she believes no one is watching. Well, I can assure you, I am not the only one captivated by her allure. Every guy in this place, with functioning eyes, is undoubtedly fixated on her. My fingers ache to grip her hips, and my desire is more than ready to grind against that enticing ass. I yearn to explore every inch of her skin with my lips, until she's moaning in ecstasy and begging for more.

Damn, I feel like I'm some kind of illicit dream.

Locked in tunnel vision, our eyes cross paths once more. She can't help but look away, succumbing to my irresistible charm. Every inch of her captivates me as she gracefully glides away. Her luscious locks cascade in silky strands, leaving me breathless. With each sway of her hips, alongside Alexis and Ginger snap, my desire intensifies and my pants can't help but tighten.

I know I am closer when I'm right in the middle of Marcus and Faith still dancing. She's so close and my heart is pounding in my chest from the thrill of the hunt. I step forward closer, almost in reach, when a flash of vibrant ginger hair blocks my view.

"Shit," Marcus mumbles under his breath.

When I glance up, Ginger snap is launching axes at Marcus with her eyes. I hear her growl and violently grab Asher's collar, a complete player who plays soccer and is here tonight with the same intentions as us. With zero hesitation, he wraps his arms around Fireball's waist. She presses her back so close that her ass is all over Asher but her eyes stare right up at Marcus.

This is about to go two ways.

As the audience cheers, I go through them to get closer to my target, who is still dancing with Alexis. I'm mesmerized by the way she sways her hips in a hula-like motion. Fuck, I want those hips slamming up and down on my lap with my hands cupped full of her juicy ass.

Damn the fucking skin slap.

My mouth waters when my hand touches her soft waist, but I feel a tug on my shoulder. I glance over it to Jordy, who points to where Marcus is shoving Asher in the chest.

"Marcus, stop!" Ginger demon's nail on the chalkboard voice yells over the music at him.

Marcus shoves Asher again, who backs off and scurries away like a frightened deer about to be hit by a semi-truck.

"Maxine, what the fuck!" Marcus growls and takes her arm possessively.

She yanks her arm away and points her finger in his chest, nearly stabbing him in his heart. "Don't touch me, Marcus!" Maxine hisses, her eyes flashing like she's about to release her venom.

Marcus signs his own death certificate and glares at her. "What the fuck was that Maxine!?"

"It's what it looks like, Marcus," Maxine clips back and folds her arms. "Go back to your lapdance whore."

"Excuse me?" Faith jumping in, with her hand on her hip.

"Oh please" Maxine sticks her hand in Faith scrunch up face.

"So, this is what we're doing now?" Marcus hums and Maxine rolls her eyes at him.

"You made it perfectly clear that we're just-" Maxine flings her hands in the air.

"No, I didn't! You did!" Marcus defends back and Maxine eyes burn with fire. Her fists balling at her sides prompts my feet to move.

Yeah, I better stop this before he gets knocked the fuck out.

I step into the midst of the crowd with Jordy. Marcus is fuming, leaving Faith in fury.

Once a brother, always a brother, no matter the distance, no matter the difference, and no matter the issue.

I sigh, hearing Uncle Steve's voice in my head as Marcus and Maxine have a screaming match, revealing their dirty laundry in the middle of the dance floor. My cock isn't happy when my personal mission takes a back seat to easing not-couple drama.

"Yo Marcus, chill." Jordy and I try escort Marcus towards the bar. "Sorry about his dumbass, Max."

"All you care about yourself, Maxine! No wonder no one wants to be with you because you are too fucking easy," Marcus booms at her.

But before we say anything else to separate them further, Firecracker turns around and slaps Marcus in his face with a smack that's probably heard in Baltimore and DC.

"Max! Okay nope we are done" Alexis stepping between her and a Marcus.

"I hate you!" Big Red voice rasps as her fist try to get to Marcus.

"Alright, Alright." I step in between so close to Doll face. Our arms gaze each other and it flip my stomach.

"Fuck you Marcus Greene!" Big Red tries to reach him but moves back.

"Quit embarrassing yourself!" He gruffs.

Red giant growls but Alexis grabs Ginger Demon before she can hit him again. Alexis and the little baby doll move her back to the bar and I shake my head while looking at Marcus, who takes a deep breath. He runs his hands over his face in frustration, groaning loudly.

Does Marcus have feelings for Maxine?

"Let's get out here?" pointing my thumb back over my shoulder.

Marcus nods then leans into Faith's ear, who looks up at him, irritated by what manifests in front of her.

"Sneaky links never end well," Hollis teases Marcus, whose shoulders tense up.

"Get off me!" Marcus grunts.

Faith huffs at Hollis comment and she whispers at Marcus. Whatever she says his shoulders slump.

Suddenly, the crowd hollers abruptly in excitement, then parts open around us. With a hardened face, Fireball stomps back over with a red drink in her hand.

Watch as she effortlessly hurls it towards him. Crimson droplets land precisely between his eyes, cascading down his hair and lashes, while he futilely attempts to rid himself of the stain. Big Red's throw also gets some on Faith, who shrieks and is now pissed as she frantically paws at her hair.

The next thing I know, Jaquan and security escort us all out of Terrapins Turf.

Edited by: still_just_me