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I rolled my eyes and picked up another piece of sushi. “Shaina, please. I don’t keep up with that man.”

She gave me one of those looks, and I just kept eating.

“So, you gon’ ignore me?” she asked, smirking.

“Ignore you? Shaina, I don’t know how long it’s been. Juvie is none of my business and hasn’t been for a long time. Knock it off.”

“Well, I tell you what,” she said, looking back at the TV. “That ain’t seventeen-year-old Juvie no more. That’s a grown ass man, Sav. You sure you ain’t checking for him?”

“Nope! I got my own man, and I’m not looking for a new one.”

She lost it. “He wouldn’t be new, though.”

“Drop it, Shaina,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Ain’t nobody worried about that nigga.”

She threw her hands up. “Okay. I won’t say nothing else… But I’m damn sure calling Mom when I get home to give her this tea.”

“You are so fuckin’ messy. You and Mommy don’t do nothing but gossip.”

She scoffed like she was shocked. “And Ima tell her you said that.”

“Eat this damn food and be quiet, messy ass Mildred. Tell Messy Marley I’m coming by tomorrow, so she can take a pair of my pants in.”

We sat there and clowned for the rest of our time together. I prayed Shaina would forget to mention Juvie to Mommy because she wouldn’t let it go. She’d start asking what happened between us, and I’d already gotten over it and moved on with my life. I didn’t wish Juvie any harm. He was just my past, and he would stay that way.

Luke sent me an invitation to this gala, tellin’ me it was a mandatory appearance. I ain’t been home for a whole week, and these mufuckas already had me workin’. Ni sat beside me, smoothin’ her dress, checkin’ her makeup and shit. She liked doin’ galas and balls. It gave her a chance to play dress up and post shit on IG. She reached for my hand while I drove. Her fingers rubbed circles over my knuckles like that was supposed to do somethin’. Then, she turned down my music.

“Jesus, JuMarion. Could you look any meaner?”

I glanced at her, then focused back on the road. “I ain’t gotta smile ’til we get in front of these cameras. And stop touchin’ my fuckin’ music.”

She gripped my hand, pullin’ my attention. “You’ve been ignoring me this whole time. You act like I made you come here. Let’s try to enjoy the night.”

I blew out a breath and pulled my hand away. We’d been cool these past few days. But every time we had to make appearances, she would start actin’ extra. Like now, her gown was almost the same green as the Blackhawks’ colors. The ring she bought for herself rested on her left ring finger. Shit was big as hell from the fake proposal we did when the Vipers won the championship. None of this shit was real.

Finally, we pulled up to the event. Cameras started flashin’, and security moved toward the car, opening Ni’s door. I stepped out, and the valet grabbed my keys. Ni stood there, waitin’ for me with the biggest smile on her face. She was so good at this shit that it was scary. When I got close, she held out her hand, makin’ sure the cameras picked up her ring. I grabbed her hand as we walked between security, smilin’ and wavin’.

Once the doors closed behind us, I tried to drop her hand, and she held mine tighter.

“What is your problem?” she whispered.

“I’m straight. Do I have to stay up yo’ ass all night? Don’t you got some networkin’ to do?”

She sighed, then stopped walkin’ to fix my tie. “Thank God you’re handsome, because your attitude is disgusting. In two hours, we can go our separate ways. Don’t worry. I won’t wait up for you.”

“Cool. Let’s get this shit done and over with.”

She rolled her eyes, then grabbed my hand again. The ballroom doors opened, and soft jazz poured out. Gold string lights hung low over round tables dressed all in white, with a live band tucked in the corner, and a lady standin’ at the mic in a black gown. It was packed, but it was chill. I held Ni by the waist and led her through the crowd. Before I could push through, I heard a voice I knew too well callin’ my name.

“Juvie Ross! Is that you?”

I turned around, and it was Dice. We played college ball together. He was my roommate my freshman year, and we signed our deals on the same day. Dice was from a small ass town in South Carolina, but he was one of the last niggas you wanted to see in front of you on the field.

“Damn, Dice. What’s good?” I said, dappin’ him.

“I can’t call it. It’s good to see you, man. I ain’t gotta ask how life’s treating you. You finally made it back home. Congratulations.”

“It feels good to be back.”