“Alright, enough of that shit. I don’t want to talk about the police force or Maxine. All of that is dead to me now.”
I didn't give a damn what else Corey had on his mind about the subject. If he said one more thing, my calm demeanor was going to become extinct.
“Whatever you say. I’m done with it.”
“Thank you. Now, let’s get the hell out of here. I have to get back to the school before the last bell rings. Otherwise, Alauni is going to be on my ass.”
“Alauni? So that’s your girl’s name, huh?”
“She’s definitely not a girl, but yeah.”
“Hmm…okay,” he replied, smiling. “So, she works at the high school? You got yourself a teacher?”
“She’s not just a teacher. She’s a coach, and a damn good one.”
“Damn, okay. You’re really feeling this one, I see. I hope you picked a good one this time.”
“Most definitely,” I said, pushing the door open and stepping outside.
“I’m going to take your word for it. I don’t want to get a call about your ass a few weeks from now though. Crazy is your specialty.”
I shook my head and gave Corey the one shoulder hug. Although I knew where he was coming from, I was secure with the fact that I didn’t have to worry about ending up in the same situation that I’d found myself in before.
Alauni was different.
Thankfully, in a good way.
* * *
I stoodin the center of the field, watching as Keyon made it to the finish line. He looked good and gave me a strong finish.
Clapping my hands together, I said, “Good job, Key. Keep practicing like that, and you’re going to end the season with all of the trophies.”
“That’s the plan, Uncle Law.”
“You just refuse to call me coach out here, huh?”
“Nah, everyone needs to know that I’ve got special privileges because I’m related to you,” he said, laughing.
“Man, you don’t get any special privileges,” Broderick chimed in. “We all know that I’m the real beast around here. I just let you shine every now and then.”
“You let me shine? Fool please. Quit lying.”
“Never that. Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t share some of the limelight?”
“Alright you two,” I said with a chuckle.
Knowing Broderick and Keyon, this crazy ass back and forth would go on all day. Going at each other was the nature of their relationship. It was how they communicated. They’d been running together since they were little kids and making fun of each other for just as long. Despite their comments, neither of them downplayed the reality of the other’s talent. They were well aware that when it came to the track, they were both a force to be reckoned with.
“Hey, Key, let me holler at you for a second,” I said.
“Okay.” Jogging, he followed me over to the edge of the field. “What’s up?”
“I have something that I need to ask you.”
“If it’s about colleges, I’ve narrowed it down to two. I just want to go check out the campuses before I make a decision.”
“Okay, cool,” I said with a nod. “But, no, it’s not about that. Actually, I wanted to get your take on something. Now, I haven’t ironed out all of the details, but how would you feel about living with me until you go off to college?”
