If my siblings see what i named this chapter ehnn, they'll laff, i swear! 😂😂😂 there's an ongoing joke abt Teriq in my household and I can't stop laffing rn.

*

She opened her mouth to say something but at that exact moment, Jemi bursted through the doors.

"Guy, where have you been?"

I turned around slowly, looking at him in annoyance.

Since when do you think you get to talk to me like that?

Jemi was not my friend and I never planned on making him one.

I noticed the girl beside me, looking at Jemi like she just saw a ghost, the whites of her eyes, large and bulging. Her mouth, trembling

"J...Jemi." She whispered, standing up slowly, almost like she was scared to speak up. "You're Jemi... Damilola's son."

Jemi stopped, a slight scowl on his face. "And you are..?" He asked as confused as I was.

Being the teenage sports star he is, Jemi's father has been a serious case of mystery at school and in the entire country.

No one knew who exactly he was. Once, a local gossip channel had claimed he was the son of a well-known billionaire in the country, just because they had the same surnames. But soon, they released a statement addressing the public that they had been grossly mistaken.

Jemi was no billionaire's son. As a matter of fact, at school, it was popular knowledge that he was on scholarship. Basketball scholarship.

She swallowed, shook her head, then plastered on a fake smile. "No one." She whispered, a sad wistfulness in her eyes and voice that made my heart drop to my stomach. "I'm no one. Just a fan..."

Jemi's face softened at her, then, he turned to me, sincere alarm in his voice. "I think Kam needs us."

"What for?" I couldn't stop the dread, spilling into my voice.

No matter what happens, Kam was still my bro. When it comes to him, all bets are off. I'd die to protect him and I had no doubt he'd do the same for me.

"Teriq." He scowled, cussing lowly.

Just that name made my blood run cold. I knew it was only a matter of time before Kam found a reason to pick a fight with him.

"That motherfucker is purposely trying to get him riled up. Come!"

I left the girl's side, sparing her a backward glance, in time to see her give me a shy wave and I suddenly felt like going back to get her number.

"Guy, focus. Forget about your booty call for now."

"What?" I scowled at him. "She's not my-"

He was grinning at me, cutting me off. "I know. I know. Chill, na."

I don't know why, but I found myself grinning back at him and shaking my head.

"She pretty, though." He said, quietly. "She's not Asa but she comes close, ey?"

We both stopped walking and I looked at him, my heart, squeezing erratically within me.

He gazed back, calmly at me.

Swallowing, I tried to get my shit together. "Asa is..." Gulped. "She's good."

His lips broke into a soft, nostalgic smile. A faint wistfulness in his golden eyes. "You can be real with me, bro. I won't spill to nobody."

I seethed, looking away, feeling like a fool. "It's not what you think?"

And you're not my bro.

The next time I looked at him, he was raising a skeptical eyebrow at me. "It's not? Really? You're not in love with my best friend?"

I gritted my teeth, feeling anger wash over me, eating me up and consuming me whole. "I don't want to talk about it."

Jemi looked at me for a full five seconds, then a sad chuckle escaped his lips. "I know you don't consider me a friend, but I consider you as one."

I avoided his gaze but he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, patted twice. "You're a good guy. Just don't do anything stupid. Love makes you do stupid shit."

I looked at him and he was smiling encouragingly at me and I decided, right at that moment... That if I ever stop being a guarded asshole, I would gladly call him a friend.

As we walked back into the house, I sank into the casual easiness that Jemi exuded from his being. He was a good guy, crazy protective of his best friends, Asa and Kosi. But some of his habits didn't sit well with me.

Jemi was a star athlete at school. A basketball superstar that celebrity blogs and gossip news couldn't get enough of. Presently, he was the only athlete I knew that smoked once in a while and that shit irritated the heck out of me. Sometimes, I wondered if he got high because he thought it was cool... But these past months he's spent with us made me see him in a new light.

He was definitely not the type to follow the crowd. Which means, he got high for reasons specifically known to him. I won't judge him for that.

And that anger. Jemi was a cool and laid-back guy, as drama free as they come. But just because he avoided drama didn't mean he was scared of a confrontation. He had bad anger issues. He'll deliberately murder any idiot that pushes his buttons.

We were in the house when suddenly, the music stopped and involuntarily, I looked up, towards Kam and Asa's direction, in time to see Kam, holding Teriq by the collar, right hand poised, ready to give the guy a solid punch.

Dread rose at the back of my throat, sensing trouble from a mile away.

Teriq was an asshole with a big mouth like a loaded gun. When we arrived at the house, yesterday, ready to kickstart our group vacation, Teriq had showed up with some of his friends, to 'welcome' us into Offshore. In return, we threw a barbecue party that evening and invited them to stay.

Big mistake, because Teriq kept making sexual innuendos at Asa.

Kam's girl.

Kam was so close to losing his shit yesterday, but he had to play his cards right to get Asa back, seeing as they just had a fight, about a week ago. Picking a fight with our neighbour wouldn't have made a good impression on Asa and for the sake of their love, he had reined his anger in.

Well, looks like Teriq finally made him snap...

And when Kam snaps... Holy Shit, he becomes a demon.

I watched with rising dread as Teriq laughed in Kam's face, saying something that obviously irked him. Because Kam went 'fuck it' and unapologetically smashed his fist into Teriq's face.

Oh man.

I hastened my pace, striding over to where Kam was holding his own against Teriq and two of his guys, feeling my blood turn to ice when the boys held Kam in place for Teriq to land a blow in his abdomen.

I heard Asa scream as Kam doubled over in pain and I reached the scene just in time to stop her from lunging headfirst at Teriq and co, claws extracted.

She thrashed in my arms, intent on going to 'help' Kam and I almost chuckled at her attempt.

Thankfully, Jemi, Jordan and Dave had joined the scene, effectively breaking up the fight.

Devontae, Teriq's cousin, held Teriq back, stopping him from carrying on with his stupidity.

"Let go of me, Amir! Kam needs my help."

I couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped my lips. "Doubt you'd be of much help, princess."

She glared at me and I chuckled again. "He already has help." I nodded at Jemi and the rest of the gang.

The fight had broken up and the music was back on again, high tension, leaving the atmosphere.

The coast was clear but I took my sweet time letting Asa go.

Against my will, my gaze dropped to her exposed back in that sinful dress.

Lower... Lower... Lower...

I felt my breath hitch in my throat and I quickly caught myself from staring lasciviously at her.

I lifted my eyes... And froze.

Kam was looking at me, a cold, suspicious look in his eyes.

I avoided his gaze.

"Sorry about that, Kam. My cousin can be too much to handle sometimes." Devon said to Kam, apologetically.

Kam stared at me for a second more, his eyes narrowed at me, and then he turned to Devontae, answering gruffly. "Don't be sorry. I'm not sorry for hitting him. Wanted to do him some major damage before these guys showed up." He glared at each of us.

I've seen Kam get angry. They were very rare instances and hardly anything gets under his skin... But this is a first.

Kam, fighting for a girl... This is definitely a first.

And it didn't sit well with me.

Kam had reluctantly let go of all his past girlfriends because it was too much hassle having to choose between Haliya, our close friend, and them.

But Asa comes along and Kam was willing to toss Haliya aside, and focus solely on her.

He turned to Asa, now, his eyes, softening from the livid glare he had on just a second ago.

"He shouldn't have disrespected my girl."

It hit me like a metal train.

Kam.

Kam and Asa.

Kam was... Kam was in love with her!

It was a moment of realization, my eyes going wide as I stared at the space in front of me, feeling like the earth was suddenly ripped out of its orbit.

No... No, it can't be.

But it was.

Ya Allah, I've been trying to deny the simple fact but it was clear as day.

Kam would never fight for something that wasn't important to him.

He looked like he would kill Teriq seconds ago.

How far have they gone together? How much have they shared?

Why her? Why did he have to fall in love with the one thing that takes my breath away?

Asa suddenly swayed on her feet, snapping me out of my lucid thoughts.

She was hyperventilating, forehead sweating, muttering frantic words to herself. She honestly looked like she was trapped in a nightmare, eyes glazed over, like she wasn't in the present anymore.

I realized what was happening soon enough.

Panic attack.

She seemed to have those regularly.

And the only reason I could easily tell was because my panic attacks were a lot like hers...

Not like I'll ever let her know about this.

"Woah!" I caught her easily. Reflexively, even, when she fell back. "Are you okay, princess?" She didn't respond, so I shook her a little.

She covered her mouth like she wanted to throw up.

"Asa!" Kam suddenly called. "Are you okay?"

He reached out to her but she flinched away from him... An action I found weird.

The others were looking at her worriedly and I felt my heartbeat accelerate when she shifted deeper into my arms, looking at Kam like she was seeing her worst enemy.

What's going on?

"Asa, take deep breaths." I murmured softly to her, rubbing her hands, trying to soothe her.

She was trembling now.

"Asa, what's wrong?" Kam asked again, but she only sank deeper into my arms.

"Just..." She was struggling with her breathing. "Just leave me alone for a moment, Kam... I need a second."

"Well, why do you want me away from you?" He reached out to her again. But she moved away, holding her head in her hands and whimpering.

I heard the words, Get out, get out, get out, repeatedly.

"Are you... Afraid of me?" Kam asked, incredulous, a hurt expression, flashing across his eyes. "Please! Talk to me!"

"It's nothing, Kam... I just need... I just need some water."

"I'll take her." Kosi decided, coming to stand beside Asa.

Kosi was best friends with Asa and Jemi. I respected her confident, outgoing personality, but sometimes, I wished she'd be real about who she truly was and drop the act.

She walked around like she was tough, unstoppable, confident. Like she was the shit... And she was! But since we moved into Offshore, more times than I'd like to admit, I've caught her crying her eyes out any chance she gets when she's alone from all the rest. Once, I had asked her if anything was wrong, she had plastered on a fake smile. A fake smile that had scared me. How easily she went from sobbing to smiling radiantly was something I didn't understand.

"I broke my nail." Was what she said.

Which was bullshit, by the way. I had let it go, deciding it wasn't my concern. Her best friends would take care of her.

She glanced at Asa worriedly now, before looking back at Kam. "We can find Lola and all go home together after that." The look in her eyes made it clear that her decision was final, daring anyone to challenge her.

Kam looked like he wanted to protest, but he sighed, shifting his gaze to mine, giving me a long, hard look.

It was hard, but I calmly maintained his glare.

"Amir, you should go with them, since she's perfectly fine with you holding her and not me, her own boyfriend."

At the sound of his voice, she tore away from me.

"Kam, no-"

"It's okay, Asa." He whispered. There was an understanding look in his eyes. "I know I triggered something again. I'm sorry, I should know better than acting like a damn animal."

Triggered what?

I looked at Asa and Kam as they shared an understanding look.

How deep have they gotten?

"Thanks Kam. I... I love you."

It felt like someone ripped my heart out of my chest cavity and left it open, spilling out blood and pain and sinful desire.

For the second time, I looked at the space in front of me, breathing uneasily through tightly clenched teeth.

Kam's eyes softened as he gazed at her. "I love you, Asa."

I gulped, squeezing my eyes shut.

They were on an I love you level now?

Fire rose in my soul.

There's nothing left for me. I can't win. I can't win against Kam.

I need to let her go...

"Kam, I doubt Asa wants me babysitting her. She should be fine with the girls." I said, as calmly as I could, when there was war raging in my soul.

Kam shook his head. His gaze wouldn't leave mine. "I need to cool off before heading home and I can't be around her when I'm like this."

I wanted to protest but the look in his eyes brokered no argument. "Take care of her, Amir. I know she'll be safe with you. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself."

This is like giving a goat, yam to keep.

His eyes kept a steady, penetrative gaze on me. Challenging me to lie to him...

And I did just that.

"Can I trust you with her, Amir?"

No.

"Yes."

A/n

Trivia: I always imagined Jemi as being the hottest guy in the group. Like... Hottt🌶️🌶️🥵

On a side note....

I want to meet these guys in real life, i swear.😭😭

But seriously, seeing the other characters from Amir's pov is mad abi??  I really needed his perspective on things and I'm glad I'm doing this oneshot before the Third book of the Golden series comes out. It's really helping me work and improve on my characters.

Till next time❤️